Stargazing

Maropeng will be hosting a stargazing evening with its resident astronomer, Vincent Nettmann.

This event will look Galileo, an astronomical giant.

Galileo was first to observe Jupiter in 1609 through a telescope. He is regarded as one of the first modern day scientists. Called the “father of modern observational astronomy”, Galileo Galilei was an Italian physicist, mathematician, astronomer and philosopher who played a major role in the scientific revolution. His amazement with the heavens was the foundation, on which his dedication and commitment to learning more and getting closer to the stars was based. This aided his genius in improving the telescope, above all others of its time, and then to his consequent astronomical observations. The motion of uniformly accelerated objects, taught in nearly all high school and introductory university physics courses, was studied by Galileo as the subject of kinematics. His contributions to observational astronomy include the telescopic confirmation of the phases of Venus, the discovery of the four largest satellites of Jupiter, named the Galilean moons in his honour, and the observation and analysis of sunspots.

This event will be hosted by the Maropeng Hotel and includes welcome drinks and a three course set menu for R295.

The star-viewing evenings are weather dependent. Please bring your own binoculars.

Stargazers will be pleased to know that Maropeng is offering an accommodation special for the Friday and Saturday of each stargazing weekend. Prices are R770 per person sharing per night, or R1170 if you are spending the night on your own.

Please click here to make a booking.

Please note: bookings are confirmed once paid for in full and are not refundable within 72hrs of arrival.