July is drawing to a close and we are all getting back from our conferences, ready for the start of class. Most of the Macquarie astronomers have been to Adelaide to the Astronomical Society of Australia conference and to Tenerife (Spain) for the planetary nebula meeting. The main news is that we have finally ordered the new planetarium. We are hopeful that it will arrive before the Astronomy Open Night on November 5th. We are also planning to start public evenings and afternoons as well as to recommence the planetarium school visit program. With this I leave you with the reminder that the School of Astronomy is on the weekend of the 20th and 21st of August. I hope to see you there!

The School comprises eight lectures by professional astronomers about their current fields of research over two days. Lunch, morning tea and afternoon tea will be provided. The program will also include observing if clear and possibly displays of astronomical books. Confirmed Speakers are Orsola De Marco (Macquarie), Mark Wardle (Macquarie), Tara Murphy (U. Sydney), George Hobbs (ATNF).

Join Macquarie astronomers to celebrate astronomy and lasers, including viewing the night sky through up to 30 telescopes operated by both Macquarie University astronomers and amateur astronomers.. More...

On clear nights, we offer a "starfinder" session to demonstrate how to identify bright stars, constellations and planets. This is followed by observing with the telescopes. Even with the light pollution of the city, we can easily see double and multiple stars, open and globular star clusters, and the brighter nebulae. The Moon and planets, when in suitable positions, are easily viewed with any of our instruments. On dark, moonless nights with good seeing, we may also observe the brightest galaxies. More...

Sydney Observatory is open every night (session times vary) and day (10am to 5pm) except Christmas Day and Good Friday. The links at left have all the information you need to plan your visit. Charges apply to night and day telescope viewing sessions which include visits to the telescope domes, telescope viewing* and 3D space theatre experience - guided and explained by one of the Observatory's astronomy educators. More...

High in the sky are the constellations Scorpius (the Scorpion) and Crux (the Southern Cross). The Southern Cross is easily located using the two nearby Pointer stars. Near the end of the Scorpion's tail is the unofficial constellation of the Teapot in Sagittarius. Saturn is visible to the west in the constellation of Virgo. The first quarter Moon can easily be seen towards the north on the 6th. At 6.30pm on 1 August, Mercury is just above the crescent Moon low in the sky to the west.