- Telescope sessions
- Special events
- School holidays
- Historic buildings and grounds
- Exhibits
- 3D space theatre
- Beanbag planetarium
- Flagstaff
- Time ball
- Eclipse/astronomy tour 2010
Thanks from a happy customer
Melanie Fragueiro emailed her thanks after visiting Sydney Observatory in June:
Hello friendly staff! I just wanted to say thanks for the wonderful time I had at the lunar eclipse event on Saturday. The staff and volunteers went the extra mile with their friendliness, knowledge and suggestions to make it a wonderful night!
Quoted with permission.
Venus, Saturn and distant Mars: a trilogy of planets
Friday 30 and Saturday 31 July
5.00pm – 6.00pm
A great opportunity to see these three planets close by one another in the early evening sky.
Cost: $15 adult, $12 conc., $10 child, $45 family.
Members: $13 adult, $10 conc., $8 child, $34 family.
To make a booking, telephone 9921 3485 or
Deep surveys: Time machines to tackle cosmic conundrums
Sydney City Skywatchers - meeting and talk, all welcome
Monday 2 August
6:30 to 8:30pm
This month’s keynote talk is by special guest David C. Koo, Astronomer at the UCO/Lick Observatory and Professor in the Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics, University of California, Santa Cruz.
Professor Koo will start with a grand tour of the universe from small to large distances, followed by an overview of the 14 billion history of our universe, zipping from the Big Bang to today in only a few minutes. He will then give some examples of his research in deep surveys of the universe that serve as time machines to tackle our biggest puzzles. These conundrums include the nature of dark energy, the nature of dark matter, and the formation and evolution of galaxies and super massive black holes.
Members of Sydney City Skywatchers meet on the first Monday of the month and the format of the meeting is:
6:30 to 7:15pm select members present solar and other observations
7:15 to 8pm keynote speaker
8 to 8:30pm discussion and light supper
All welcome, $2 door charge.
Hairy black holes, furry black holes
Professor Elizabeth Winstanley presents
the 2010 Women in Physics lecture
Tuesday 3 August
6pm
Professor Elizabeth Winstanley, from the University of Sheffield, UK, is an expert in general relativity, quantum gravity and quantum field theory in curved space-time. Her research focuses on the physics of black holes, particularly 'hairy' (and more recently, 'furry') black holes in general relativity and the Hawking radiation of black holes as might be produced at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN in Switzerland. The latter topic will form the basis of many of her lectures in Australia. She maintains a keen interest in developments in mathematics and science education, serving on a number of national mathematics education committees in the UK.
Cost: $10 students (adults and teachers accompanying students are free, others pay $10)
Presented by the Australian Institute of Physics (AIP).
To make a booking, telephone 9921 3485 or
Lucky planetary spectacular: Venus, Mars, Saturn, Mercury and the Moon
Friday 13 August
5-7pm
Four planets and a crescent Moon will change Friday the 13th into a lucky night for all if the weather holds - with a telescope viewing and 3D space theatre presentation. This will also be the public launch of the 2010 'Winning sky photos' touring exhibition as part of the David Malin Awards which is Australia's premier astrophotography competition.
Bookings essential and usual night fees apply. To book, telephone 9921 3485 or
Winning sky photos: the David Malin Awards 2010
From 14 August
10am to 5pm
Marvel at the beauty of the Universe with the winning images and other photographs from this year’s entries in the most prestigious astrophotography competition in Australia. In choosing the winners world-renowned astrophotographer Dr David Malin looked for memorable pictures that reflect and capture the beauty and interest of the sky, as well as showing technical skill. Categories include semi-professional, amateur, junior, and a special new innovation prize. Free! No bookings required for a daytime visit. You can also see this exhibit for no extra charge as part of a booked and paid night visit.
Venus and Mars are alright tonight!
Saturday 11 September
6:15 – 7:45pm
See Venus and Mars separated by a crescent-shaped moon just after sunset, enjoy a 3D Space Theatre session featuring the movie 'Extreme places' and telescope viewing (weather permitting).
Cost: $15 adults, $12 concession, $10 children, $45 family. Bookings essential - please call 9921 3485 to book.
Homage to the planets – evening viewings
From 4 October
8:15pm
Book night visits early online as numbers are limited.
History week twilight torchlight tour
Friday 15 October
6:15 to 8:00pm
Explore the Observatory, Signal Station and Fort Phillip by torchlight, delving into the history of the site. Then view the first quarter Moon (weather permitting). Suitable for all ages, torches are provided. Bookings required - please call 9921 3485 to book.
Cost: $17 adults, $10 children