Dear Macquarie University Association for Astronomy members,

Open Night has been a success even if, as usual, the large crowd can give rise to some issues. The turnout was the largest ever and it is clear now that we cannot organise this event on our own any longer, but we need to enlist the help of experts. In the meantime the planetarium is under review as it may not comply with extremely strict Australian fire regulation. Hopefully we will manage to gain compliance in the near future and be able to open in it on campus again. Semester break has started and the lecturers are busy exam marking. In a couple of weeks most of the astronomers will be travelling to Melbourne for the Astronomical Society of Australia's annual meeting. With this I wish you all the best.

Best Regards,

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...

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...

The planet Saturn can be seen in Virgo about half way between the bright star Spica and the star Zubenelgenubi. On the 16th the first quarter Moon is near Saturn. Early in the evening Venus is visible low in the sky towards the west. The best time to view the Moon with a small telescope or binoculars is a few days either side of the first quarter Moon on the 16th. This month the constellations of Scorpius (the Scorpion) and Crux (the Southern Cross) are high in the sky. The Southern Cross is easily located using the two nearby Pointer stars. The brighter of the Pointers, Alpha Centauri, is the nearest star system to the Sun. Near the end of the Scorpion's tail is the unofficial constellation of the Teapot.