School holiday program

JANUARY 2012 SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM

The January 2012 school holidays are now past and the kids are back at school. Our program for the next school holidays will be available here closer to the time. Meanwhile, you can get an idea of the kinds of programs Sydney Observatory offers by looking at the January school holiday program below – or download the printable pdf.

DAY PROGRAMS

3D Space theatre presentations
Solar System exploration holiday program featuring the NEW Mars in 3D movie (Daily)
“In October 1960, humankind embarked on one of the most ambitious journeys ever faced. To leave the Earth and reach a world only ever dreamt about in science fiction…Mars”.  Experience another world through the eyes of robotic explorers. Through incredibly detailed terrain models and high-resolution stereo photographs from key NASA missions, we join the search for signs of life on the Red Planet in stunning High Definition 3D. ‘Mars’ is the closest thing to going there yourself.

A shot from one of the 3D Space Theatre presentations

11 am Mars in 3D and Telescope Tour
12 noon Planetarium show and Telescope Tour
1 pm Mars in 3D and Telescope Tour
2:30 pm Planetarium show and Telescope Tour
3:30 pm Mars in 3D and Telescope Tour
4 pm Planetarium show and Telescope Tour
Cost: $8 adult, $6 child, $22 family (2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children)
Members 3D theatre show cost: free entry and max. one show per day
Members Planetarium show cost: $6 adult, $4 child, $16 family (2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children)
Tickets sold on the day at Sydney Observatory

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

Dig it! Archaeologists in training
1.30pm to 3pm
6, 13, 20, 27 January 2012
Become a hands-on archaeological detective as you look at the history of Fort Phillip and the site of Sydney Observatory.
What happens to artefacts after they are ‘dug’ out of the ground?
What is evidence and how can you use the findings to discover what life was like on Observatory Hill?
Suits children 6-10 years.
Please note: This is an outdoors/indoors program. Please ensure the children in your care have a hat, sunscreen and wear enclosed shoes.
Cost: $10 per child, Members $8.
Parents and carers can either drop off children or enjoy the site. Bookings essential. Book online or phone 9921 3485.

Space-themed cupcakes

Planetary cupcake days
10am to 1pm
12, 19 January
Decorate your own delicious cupcake like planet Jupiter, the Moon or a star! Then enjoy a 3D Space Theatre session. Ideally suits 4 to 8 year olds but older children and adults who love cupcakes can enjoy the experience too! Sessions every half hour
Cost: $12 child, $14 adult, $46 family (2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children)
Members: $8 child/adult/, $24 family (2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children)
Bookings essential. Book online or ph 9921 3485.

Australia Day

Sydney Observatory with Sydney Harbour behind; photo by Geoffrey Wyatt

10am to 5pm
26 January
Celebrate Australia Day on Observatory Hill, a great place to view the harbour activities plus enjoy Observing Sydney in 3D in the cool 3D Space Theatre and the program Southern Cross over Australia planetarium show every hour.
Cost per tour: $5 adult, $3 child. Bookings not required.
Free entry to the grounds, Fort Phillip Signal Station and historic Sydney Observatory.

LEGO and colouring for younger children
Daily 10.30am – 4pm
Let your imagination go wild with lots of LEGO. Space colouring in sheets for young children. Children must supervise their accompanying adults.
Free and no need to book.

Archaeology Vacation care for groups
Mon to Fri 11am and 1.30pm (11am only on Friday 6, 13, 20 and 27)
A fun, 90 minute hands-on archaeology dig for inquisitive 6 to 10 year olds.
Participants dress up and take part in a simulated dig with our resident archaeologist and record their findings. Suitable for groups only (15 to 40 children).
Please note: accessibility is limited.
This is an outdoors/indoors program. Please ensure the children in your care have a hat, sunscreen and wear enclosed shoes.
Cost: $10 per child, carers free. Bookings essential: Ph 9921 3485

NIGHT PROGRAMS

Jupiter King of the Planets viewing nights – don’t forget to book!

Jupiter, photo by Paul Haese

(Nightly except 10, 17, 18 and 23 Jan)
8.30pm – 10pm
View Orion the Hunter, Taurus the Bull and Canis Major the Great Dog and, Jupiter, the amazing Gas Giant, amongst other celestial features through telescopes and experience the 3D Space Theatre. A planetarium session is offered where telescope viewing is limited by cloud or rain.
Cost: $18 adult, $12 child, $14 conc, $50 family (2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children)
Members: $16 adult, $11 child, $13 conc, $43 family
Bookings essential. Book online or phone 9921 3485.

Special Twilight Pizza nights
7.30pm – 9.15pm
10, 17, 18, 23 January 2012
Enjoy a special night of pizza, astronomy stories and telescope viewing (weather permitting), especially for young families.
Cost: $30 adult, $25 child, $85 family (2 adults and 2 children, 1 adult and 3 children)
Members: $25 adult, $20 child, $72 family
Bookings and prepayment essential. Book online or phone 9921 3485.

Jupiter Express: telescope viewing only
9.30pm to 10.30pm
10, 17, 18, 23 January 2012
A great after dinner treat is to view the amazing planet, Jupiter. Wet weather option is 3D Space Theatre (Mars in 3D) and planetarium.
Cost: $15 adult, $10 conc/student, $40 family (2 adults and 2 children, 1 adult and 3 children)
Members: $ 12 adult, $8 conc/student, $32 family
Bookings essential. Book online or phone 9921 3485.

SYDNEY OBSERVATORY ASTRONOMICAL SOUVENIR SHOP

Shop stock changes over time

Sydney Observatory’s astronomical shop sells books, games, DVDs and confectionary for all your astronomy needs.
’2012 Australasian Sky Guide’: This book is a must for all those interested in astronomy and what is happening in the night sky over the next 12 months. Cost: $16.95.
‘Transit of Venus’: An absolute must for the most significant astronomical event of 2012. Don’t miss out on this amazing story that all your friends will be talking about and be prepared for 6 June. The book ‘Transit of Venus: 1631 to the Present’ is sold at Sydney Observatory. Cost $49.95.