JULY 2012 SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM
Saturday 30 June to Monday 16 July 2012

You can download our July 2012 school holiday flyer (pdf) here.

Sydney Observatory with Sydney Harbour behind; photo by Geoffrey Wyatt

30 years celebration! Sunday 1 July, 1pm–6pm
Beginning with the time ball drop at 1pm Sydney Observatory staff and volunteers will treat you to a winters’ afternoon of astronomy and heritage to celebrate 30 years as part of the Powerhouse Museum. Safely view the sun through telescopes, participate in a 3-D Space Theatre session and explore the heritage of astronomy in special exhibits and talks. Investigate Fort Phillip and the fabulous finds discovered there with archaeologists. There will be cake cutting at 2pm and a coffee cart on site. As the sun sets in the west we will see the planets Mars and Saturn if the weather is clear.
Cost: Free entry

DAY PROGRAMS

A shot from one of the 3D Space Theatre presentations

3-D Space Theatre and Telescope Tour
Kids will love exploring the galaxy in fantastic 3-D. Take off to Mars, be a space detective, discover the littlest objects in our solar system and much more. Afterwards, take a look through one of our large telescopes in the domes (weather permitting).
11.00am The Little Things
1.00pm Elysium 7
2.30pm Bigger than Big
3.30pm Space Detective
4.00pm Mars and Historic Observatory (no telescope tour,
weekdays only)
Cost: $8 adult, $6 child, $22 family of four; members $6 adult,
$4 child
Suitable for: family groups, with children aged 3+
Pre-bookings not required.

Planetarium and Telescope Tour
Daily,
10.15am and 12 noon
Discover the planets and stars in our planetarium and then tour
one of the telescope domes.
Cost: $8 adult, $6 child, $22 family of four; members: $6 adult,
$4 child
Suitable for: family groups, with children aged 3+
Pre-bookings not required.

A young visitor enjoying one of our hands'on archaeology programs

Dig it! Archaeologists in training workshops
Friday 6 and 13 July,
10.30am – 12noon
Become a hands-on archaeological detective and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and the site of Sydney Observatory. Experience a simulated archaeology dig, find out what happens to artefacts after they are ‘dug’ out of the ground. In wet weather, the dig is replaced by a fabulous 3-D Space Theatre session.
Cost: $15 child, $13 member child
Suitable for: ages 6–10 years
Book online or phone (02) 9921 3485

Time detectives: a science and archaeology game
Wednesday 11 July
10am – 4.30pm
Treat your child to a fabulous day of science investigation at historic Fort Phillip, part of Sydney Observatory. This workshop includes a simulated archaeology dig, investigating finds, making an electronics analysis device which they then use to solve a mystery dating back 200 years. Participants get to view through binoculars and telescopes and experience the 3-D Space Theatre.
Cost: $75 child, $65 member child. Lunch not included.
Suitable for: ages 8–12 years
Book online or phone (02) 9921 3485

Space Lego
Every day
10am to 4pm
Build your dream rocket ship or alien invader, the very best models will be photographed for the website and posterity.
Pre-bookings not required.

Sydney’s historic time ball
Daily
1pm
See Australia’s most important alarm clock, the time ball, drop at precisely 1pm from anywhere in the grounds.
Pre-bookings not required.

Vacation care groups: dig it! And map it! Programs
Weekdays
11am – 12.30pm
or 1.30pm – 3pm
A fun, hands-on simulated archaeology dig. In the program for primary and infants school age children participants dress up and take part in a simulated dig with our resident archaeologist and record their findings. Binoculars are used to view South Head and the children decode Sydney Observatory flags. For high school children measurement is made using instruments and participants map a section of the site, recording their archaeology finds. Participants safely view the Sun through a telescope (weather permitting) and record their measurements of solar activity.
For groups of up to 60. Minimum group size 15.
Cost: $10 per child, carers free
Suitable for: ages 5–9 years and 10–14 years
Bookings essential: (02) 9921 3485

NIGHT PROGRAMS

Telescope viewings and 3-D Space Theatre
Every night,
6.15pm and 8.15pm
(Note: no 6.15pm sessions on 5 and 12 July)
On a clear winter night through our telescopes, you may see the Moon, Saturn, Mars, Alpha Centauri (our next door neighbour), the constellation Scorpius and many other celestial features. Viewings are guided by knowledgeable astronomers and include a 3-D space movie experience. In the case of overcast viewing conditions, the telescope viewing is replaced with a fun session in the planetarium.
Cost: $50 family, $18 adult, $12 child; members $43 family,
$16 adult, $11 child
Suitable for: ages 5+
Book online or phone (02) 9921 3485

Rings of Saturn pizza nights
Thursday 5 and 12 July,
6pm – 8pm
Bring your family to experience 3-D adventures, telescope
viewing (weather permitting) and pizza, drinks and a Milky Way dessert! If the weather is overcast a planetarium session and star map workshop are offered.
Cost: $85 family, $30 adult, $27 concession, $25 child;
members $72 family, $25 adult, $22 concession, $20 child
Suitable for: ages 5+
Book online or phone (02) 9921 3485