There is No Man in the Moon in South Africa?

Calling all South Africans! I have many questions for you today…

Can you tell me your favorite constellations and places to view the night sky?

I’ve already looked up the observatories online (and am loving the SAAO website), but if I’ve figured out one thing about South Africans, it’s that each of you have great off-road, off-the-beaten-path places that you KNOW are best!

For my monthly column over at Expat Focus, I decided to write about the differences I see between the northern hemisphere sky and southern hemisphere sky. I’d love for you to read it and add to the list of night sky observations I should look for:

There is No Man in the Moon in South Africa

Then please do comment (either there or here) and tell me what you love most about the night sky (northerners feel free to chime in on your favorites as well!), and your favorite star-gazing spot.

Next question: I have a Canon EOS-60D and am headed out to purchase a cable release so I can have an open shutter. Any sky photography tips? I want to take both still shots of the sky as well as a swirly star trail.

We leave for Kruger again (our 5th trip since we moved here!) in a few days for a special birthday trip. Since it’s a birthday trip for me, Kurt conceded the choice of what to see and where to stay to me. So I booked! My goals this trip are to see birds and rock pythons. Can you guess which area I’m headed?

Love, Marla

P.S. My friend Claire tells me to heck with the man in the moon as long as you can see the rabbit. So I looked again…