Dear Macquarie University Association for Astronomy members,

The Association concluded its activities in 2011 with an event held jointly with the Joan and John Lincoln Society of Macquarie University. I gave a short talk about the practical benefits of studying Astronomy and we held two planetarium sessions.

Our Observatory and Planetarium are now resting till the end of January when we will re-open for business. My new year resolution for the Association activities is to start running the Planetarium on a semi-regular basis on campus in the afternoon, so as to attract those school children who miss out on the Observatory, which runs too late for many.

With this I leave you for another month. I wish you all a serene and fulfilling 2012.

Best Regards,

January 26^th, 10:00am

Australia Day - Sydney Observatory

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. More...

Every day, 8:00pm

Public Observing Program - Sydney Observatory

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 is easily seen as the brightest object towards the north. Venus remains visible in the early evening as a bright object towards the west. 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 1st or 31st. The first quarter Moon is near Jupiter on the 2nd, 3rd and 30th, while the crescent Moon is near Venus on the 26th. The two brightest stars in the night sky can also be seen: Sirius, in the constellation Canis Major, is the brightest, and Canopus, in the constellation Carina, is second brightest. Crux (the Southern Cross) is low in the south and can be difficult to find.