Dear Macquarie University Association for Astronomy members,

We are currently in shut down mode for summer, but our public observing and planetarium sessions will start back up again in March. We are also starting this year with a call for new staff - if you know anyone who is an astronomy undergraduate or has a background in astronomy, who may be interested in astronomy outreach and volunteering at the observatory and planetarium, please ask them to send an email to starinfo@mq.edu.au for 2013 recruitment!

Best Regards,

Introduction to Astronomy (I2A) Course - ASNSW

Introduction, Observing the Southern Sky, Earth-Sun-Moon, Solar System, Telescopes, Stellar Evolution.

There are no prerequisites for these courses. They are suitable for people with no scientific or mathematical background. A short observing session may be included, weather permitting, at the end of each week's class. More...

Every day, 8:00 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...

Jupiter is easily seen as the brightest object towards the north in the constellation of Taurus, the bull. On the 22nd the Moon is next to Jupiter. 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 19th. The two brightest stars in the night sky can also be seen, Sirius in the constellation Canis Major is the brightest star followed by the star Canopus in Carina. Crux (the Southern Cross) is low in the south and can be difficult to find.