Green Point Observatory provides a perfect place to explore the darker night sky when lights are switched off for Earth Hour on Saturday, March 24.
Sutherland Astronomical Society is holding a public open night at the observatory in Oyster Bay from 6pm to 11 pm.
The society says visitors have a chance to see craters on the moon, view stars, star clusters and nebulae through the 41cm Selby telescope operating in the observatory dome, the 35cm Napier telescope under the roll-off roof, and a variety of telescopes on the field.
There will also be astronomy lectures. BBQ, hot and cold food and drinks, books, posters and gifts on sale.
Bookings are not required. Admission is adults $12, children $5, family $25, concession $5.
The observatory, at the corner of Green Point Road and Caravan Head Road, has been repainted over the last few months, so is looking its best for the big night.
The telescope in the photo above, taken by Leader photographer John Veage, is the Selby, named after Keith Selby, one of the society’s founding members.
“It was built by the members almost 50 years ago from old truck parts including a Renault engine flywheel,” society president Craig Goulden said.
”It has an aperture of 41cm or 16 inches (that’s the size of the mirror) and has a focal length of 2.5m (the length of the tube).
“The telescope has been upgraded a number of times, and is now computer-controlled, tracking the motion of the stars, and can be commanded to ‘go to’ any of about 40,000 objects in the sky.
“It has also recently had major improvements on the mechanical drive system, precision engineered by Billroy Manufacturing, in Kirrawee.”
