Prince Albert

karoo astronomy

tel: +27 (0)23 5411 366  fax: +27 (0)23 5411 788  e-mail: princealberttourism@intekom.co.za

The Bushmen who lived in the Great Karoo spoke of being 'children of the stars'. The night skies continue to provide magic and mystery for travellers across these plains and those who live beneath the stars. Visit Prince Albert for your own celestial experience...

Hans and Tilanie Daehné of Astro Tours continue a tradition started by French astronomers at the 1960's Observatory (now, sadly, merely a ruin) and developed by the late Albert Jansen at his Town Observatory in Prince Albert.

Join Astro Tours on a tour through the celestial splendour of the Southern Hemisphere. Enjoy the celestial "Big Five" of our dark sky in the Great Karoo: the brightest star, the closest star, the largest globular cluster, the most beautiful open cluster and the closest galaxies.

For a number of years, Albert Jansen, a qualified astronomer, offered amateur astronomers from all over the world the opportunity to observe the many showpieces of the southern skies at a local farm. He then moved his instruments to his Town Observatory, in Prince Albert. The village lends itself to star-watching because the climate is dry and sunny for most of the year. Statistics from the ESO have shown that in a given week, three or four nights are completely clear and a further two are clear for part of the time.

Sadly Albert suffered a fatal heart attack in 2004 and the village lost a wonderful teacher. He had been working on a definitive guide to the Southern Skies: 

Star Maps for Southern Africa

an easy guide to the night skies

which was published just before his death. Copies can be bought at the Prince Albert Tourism Association office. 

Albert would have been delighted to know that star-watching has enjoyed a revival in Prince Albert with the advent of Astro Tours. Hans and Tilanie Daehné have started a tour of Albert's Town Observatory and night sky viewings from the Observatory grounds.

A tribute from one of Albert's neighbours:

The observatory established by Albert and Ellie Jansen when they came to live in Prince Albert in 1995 has truly been an asset to our community. Sadly Albert suffered a fatal heart attack on Sunday 13^th June 2004. 

We will miss our genial friend and community-spirited neighbour, but he has left us with an appreciation of the magnificence of our world - after dark - that will stay with us for the rest of our lives.  

Albert generously shared his passion for the stars visible in the clear night skies of the Karoo. We were astounded by the constellations that he showed us through his telescopes, and he was an exceptional teacher. His explanations thrilled children, scientists - and everyone in between. For many visitors the evening spent with Albert was both an educational milestone and the highlight of their visit to our town.  

Three weeks ago his eyes and smile were bright and his conversation lively as ever. While realistic about the limits that his physical frailty imposed on him, he expressed hope, and looked forward to returning to Holland to be with Ellie and his children, Alfard and Carina, and grandchildren.  

His death was unexpected in that he seemed to be doing so well. He was talking of returning soon to his home in Prince Albert to take charge of his affairs. Albert felt that if possible it would be good to keep his observatory operating. It would be a fitting memorial to him.  

And, during the last week of his life he achieved one of his ambitions - to observe the transit of Venus across the sun. He watched this once-in-a-lifetime event in the company of fellow astronomers who set up telescopes in the garden outside his hospital room. Bravo Albert!  

Mary Anne Botha June 2004

Star Maps for Southern Africa

an easy guide to the night skies

a Struik publication, (ISBN 177007 005 2) which was published in July 2004. Please contact Struik for details. http://www.struikpublishers.co.za/pubecom/index.jsp or buy your copy at the Prince Albert Tourism Association office or the Fransie Pienaar Museum.

The Town Observatory

The instruments and facilities available at The Town Observatory are modern, and ensure an interesting 'deep-sky experience'. The SAAO at Sutherland lies some 145 km away and the historical ESO site at Seekoegat some 30 km away.

Carina - click on picture to enlarge

Instruments Available

The following instruments are available: