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Dear Macquarie University Association for Astronomy members,

March has come and gone. The observatory has started working with great success although the weather has been most uncooperative. We have also started to offer the planetarium every Friday night, but so far we have not been able to have enough people visit us to recuperate costs. Clearly we are not reaching the right audience as I am positive that the planetarium would be even more popular than the observatory. So, please spread the voice!

Best Regards,
 
Upcoming Events
April 17th,19th, 6:00pm
Astronomical inventions: tales of the telescope - Sydney Observatory

Dr Paul Payne presents the amazing history of the telescope in stunning 3D imagery as part of the National Trust Heritage Festival 2012. This year's theme 'Innovation and Invention' is explored using innovative 3D imaging technology and then the opportunity to see real instruments and stargaze (weather permitting). Bookings are essential as numbers are strictly limited. More...

Every Friday, 6:00 pm
Planetarium - Macquarie University Observatory

Our brand-new Digitarium Epsilon planetarium projector system and portable 7-m GoDome is available, by arrangement, for groups of up to 45 people per session. The planetarium simulates the night sky, including special events such as the transit of Venus or an eclipse of the sun. It allows an up-close look at the motions of celestial objects, the surfaces of planets, deep sky objects, and constellations. You can take a tour of the local Solar System, peer into the depths of the galaxy, or watch amazing new planetarium movies. Presentations can be tailored to the interests and age of your groups. More...

Every Friday, 8:00 pm
Astronomical Observatory - Macquarie University Observatory

The Association for Astronomy and the Department of Physics & Astronomy invite you to observe the cosmos with your own eyes at the Macquarie University Astronomical Observatory. You will be guided through the night sky by our professional astronomy staff, who will show you planets, binary stars, nebulae, star clusters, and even bright galaxies through our 16" and 12" professional in-dome telescopes. All are welcome! More...

May 15th, 7:30 pm

(Tuesdays until Jun 5th)

Introduction to Astronomy (I2A) Course - Astronomical Society of NSW

You will look at great telescopes of the world and learn how telescopes work, including a hands-on session to demonstrate different types of telescopes and mounts suitable for amateur observing. Gain an understanding of the life cycles of different types of stars and how to make a black hole. Find out about light and how astronomers use the entire electromagnetic spectrum to learn everything we know about stars. Our final venture will be into the wider universe to see how it has evolved since the beginning of time. More...

Every day, 6:00 pm
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...

Astronomy News

Existing Rocket Could Launch Private Space Taxis by 2015 - Space.com

Mars Twister On The Move - Video Animation - Space.com

Go look at Mars! - Bad Astronomy

Mercury Surprises: Tiny Planet Has Strange Innards and Active Past - Space.com

200,000+ Galaxies Revealed In Deep Sky Survey | Video - Space.com

How the Moon Evolved - Video Guided Tour - Space.com

NASA Turns To Private Space For Low-Cost Suborbital Flights | Video - Space.com

Hubble Views Grand Star-Forming Region - Space.com

HD footage of last night's flare - Bad Astronomy

Between the Devil and the deep Red Planet - Bad Astronomy

Geomagnetic Storm Likely From Solar Flare Tempest | Video - Space.com

Galaxies Collide in Dynamic Hercules Cluster - Space.com

Saturn's "Wispy" Moon Has An Oxygen Atmosphere - Universe Today

Live Interview: The Latest Exoplanet News from Kepler - Universe Today

Is There Life on Earth? - Universe Today

Japan Eyes New Space Mission to Sample an Asteroid - Space.com

Jupiter Moon's Ocean May Be Too Acidic for Life - Space.com

Orion Nebula's Young Stars Offer Glimpse of Stellar Puberty - Space.com

Omega Centauri Looks Radiant in Infrared - Space.com

Inside the Planet Venus (Infographic) - Space.com

 

Getting the Picture
Unusual Hollows Discovered on Planet Mercury
Angry Sun Erupting
The M81 Galaxy Group Through the Integrated Flux Nebula
The Sombrero Galaxy in Infrared
Lick Observatory Moonrise
NGC 1579: Trifid of the North
NGC 2170: Celestial Still Life
Warped Spiral Galaxy ESO 510-13
Another Tail for Comet Garradd
The Sky in April

Saturn is visible in Virgo as a moderately bright star-like object to the east and is near the full Moon on the 7th. Mars can be seen towards the north-east in Leo. Venus remains visible towards the north-west during the early evening and is near the crescent Moon on the 25th. Until the middle of the month, Jupiter can be seen low in the west during the early evening. The Southern Cross is high in the sky towards the south-east and is easily located using the two nearby Pointer stars. Nearby are the False and Diamond Crosses that are both often mistaken for the Southern Cross. Prominent constellations include Leo (the Lion), Orion (the Hunter), Gemini (the Twins) and Canis Major (the Great Dog). In 2012 daylight saving ends in ACT, NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia on Sunday 1 April at 3 am summer time.

07th
  • Full Moon
13th
  • Last Quarter
21st
  • New Moon
29th
  • First Quarter

 

Information provided by the Sydney Observatory. Find the full information and podcast here.

Macquarie University Website - Department of Physics and Astronomy

© April, 2012

Image Credit: NASA/JHU APL/CIW, Alan Friedman (Averted Imagination), Nicolás Villegas

R. Kennicutt (Steward Obs.) et al., SSC, JPL, Caltech, Rick Baldridge, Adam Block,

Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter, University of Arizona, Leonardo Julio & Carlos Milovic (Astronomia Pampeana),

Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA), C. Conselice (U. Wisconsin/STScI) et al., Olivier Sedan (Sirene Observatory)