Dear Macquarie University Association for Astronomy members,

Another year draws to a close. Reflecting on it, this has been an incredible year for the Association for Astronomy, starting with its name change. The planetarium has finally been bought and a plan drawn for its activities, we have run yet another successful Open Night with even more activities and a huge attendance. We have started this newsletter, which I hope you have been enjoying. The last event of the year will be the Joan and John Lincoln Society event for AFA members that will happen on the 13th of December. I hope to see you there so that I will be able to personally thank you and wish you all the best for the holiday season.

This is an event not to be missed. At 11.45pm the Moon starts to enter the Earth's shadow and Sydney Observatory's special late night lunar eclipse viewing evening begins. From 1.06am the Moon will be fully immersed in the shadow for 52 minutes, and then fully clear by 3.18am. Whilst this lunar eclipse can be viewed safely with the naked eye, Sydney Observatory has astronomers on hand to assist with viewing through binoculars and telescopes, weather permitting. The evening also includes short talks and presentations in the 3D Space Theatre and information about Indigenous interpretations of a lunar eclipse. It is the last total lunar eclipse until 2014.

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...

Jupiter remains visible in the early evening as a bright star-like object towards the north and is close to the Moon on the 6th. On the 27th Venus is close to the crescent Moon. The best time to view the Moon using binoculars or a small telescope is a few days either side of the first quarter Moon on the 2nd. On the 10th a total lunar eclipse occurs with the full Moon entering the Earth's shadow at 11.45 pm and exiting at 1.58 am on the 11th. Summer solstice on the 22nd is the longest day of the year and gives Sydney 14 hours and 25 minutes of daylight. Crux (the Southern Cross) is just above the southern horizon making it difficult to locate.