Simon Ratcliffe (astronomer)

{{Short description|South African astronomer}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

{{Notability|Bio|date=November 2016}}

Simon Ratcliffe is a South African astronomer known for his promotion of the Square Kilometre Array project. The media have dubbed him the "barefoot astronomer" for his habit of working without shoes.{{cite web|url=http://mg.co.za/article/2013-03-12-ska-scientist-dream-team-works-on-big-data-for-big-telescope |title=SKA: Scientist dream team works on big data for big telescope | Sci-Tech | M&G |publisher=Mg.co.za |date=2013-03-12 |accessdate=2015-09-30}}{{cite web|url=https://www.skatelescope.org/news/big-bang-meets-big-data/ |title=Big Bang Meets Big Data: South Africa Joins ASTRON and IBM to Build the Foundation for a New Era of Computing |publisher=SKA Telescope |date= |accessdate=2015-09-30}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ska.ac.za/releases/20110218b.php |title=Media release: The Barefoot Astronomer |publisher=Ska.ac.za |date=2011-02-18 |accessdate=2015-09-30}}{{cite web|url=http://www.brandsouthafrica.com/tvc/profiles/22-simon-ratcliffe.html |title=A project of Brand South Africa - Simon Ratcliffe |publisher=Brandsouthafrica.com |date= |accessdate=2015-09-30}}