Skip to Content

Physics and Astronomy

Macquarie University Astronomy Open Night


Join Macquarie astronomers to celebrate astronomy and lasers, including viewing the night sky through up to 30 telescopes operated by both Macquarie University astronomers and amateur astronomers. Activities include:

Location E7B Courtyard, Macquarie University. The Campus can be reached by car or by train (Macquarie University Station on the Northern Line).
Cost and payment Please pay at the E7B courtyard entrance as you arrive.
$5 Child (under 18) and seniors; $10 Adult; $25 Family
Parking Free car parking only in the F3A and F7 car parks. If parking in any other carpark, a meter ticket must be purchased at the machine, or they will be booked.  Maps will be distributed to those entering campus through the Waterloo Rd. or Balaclava Rd. entrances by Open Night staff, or download here.
Enquiries (02) 9850 7111, No bookings required. The evening will not be cancelled in the event of bad weather, however the telescopes will not be available if it is cloudy. But don't worry, there will still be plenty to do!
Email list
Keep informed about this and other events:

Activities

Illustrated Talks

"Photography and the discovery of the Universe" by David Malin @ 7:00 pm

When the photographic replaced the eye as the astronomical detector of choice 120 years ago, it revolutionised astronomy, much as the invention of the telescope had heralded a new era, 280 years before.  Within a few decades, a new and unimaginably bigger Universe had been revealed -- and the remarkable fact that it was expanding. With this came an understanding of the nature of stars, nebulae and galaxies and for the first time their astonishing colours were revealed. In this profusely illustrated talk I will briefly review the rich history of imaging in astronomy, from Galileo to modern times.

Dr. David Malin is an astronomer at the Australian Astronomical Observatory (AAO) and RMIT University in Melbourne.

 

"Lasers in Astronomy - from Guidestars to Ripples in Spacetime" by Stuart Wyithe @ 8:30 pm

An artificial guidestar provides a reference to allow the biggest optical telescopes on Earth to correct for the blurring effects of our turbulent atmosphere. In kilometre-long vacuum pipes interference patterns from giant lasers allow us to listen to the ringing in the fabric of space itself, while from half way across the Universe, natural mega-masers provide a window to the hearts of active galaxies. This lecture will look at how lasers help us observe merging super massive black holes and other distant events in the cosmos.

Professor Stuart Wyithe is a cosmologist at the University of Melbourne.

Telescopes & Stargazing

Join Macquarie astrophysicists and local amateur astronomers and explore the cosmos using various telescopes from Macquarie University Observatory, local astronomy clubs, and individual astronomers.  Look at celestial objects such as planets, star clusters, and nebulae, talk to members of your local astronomical society, and join in the action!  Several telescope vendors will be present and eager to answer all your questions about buying your very own telescope.

Planetarium

Come to the planetarium for a virtual tour of the cosmos with Macquarie astronomers.  Learn about the movement of the sun, moon and stars, find out how to identify a planet, and learn about various constellations from both Western and Indigenous viewpoints.  12 sessions will run for 10 minutes each.  Tickets are free and will be issued for each session, but only 200 are available, so you must pick one up ASAP on arrival at Open Night!!!

Laser Guide Star

A first for the event is a Laser Guide Star demonstration which will involve a 10W green laser, which is approximately 10,000 times more powerful than a laser pointer, being pointed vertically into the night sky. The demonstration will give observers the chance to see what a Laser Guide Star looks like and will be a spectacular display visible from several kilometres away.

Aboriginal Astronomy

Learn about Aboriginal views of the night sky from Aboriginal Astronomy researcher Duane Hamacher.  Duane will be selling a book on Aboriginal Astronomy entitled 'Emu Dreaming' by Ray and Cilla Norris, along with posters of the famous 'Emu in the Sky'.  Pull up a chair and watch a Message Stick documentary on Aboriginal Astronomy and see the latest research at Macquarie.  You can also pick up 'Dark Sparklers', a book on Wardaman Astronomy, from the Sydney Observatory booth.

Kids Activities

Kids activities will include making a planisphere and participating in an astronomy colouring contest! Some activities are only suitable for older children, while others are perfect for the youngest ones.

  • Main E7B Courtyard: Space wood building contest: Make your space art and win a prize.
  • E7B room 163: Spacecraft model building and more.
  • E7B room 164: Laser Maze.
  • E7B room 264: Aboriginal Astronomy video
  • E7B Outside loading dock area: Laser Graffiti (room 100 if raining)

There will be many more activities for young and old at booths in the courtyard.

 

Vendors and Clubs

Booths will be set up for various vendors and astronomical societies. These are the confirmed booths as of the 7th October. We expect at least as many vendors as last time, see below for details.

 

Food & Drink

The volunteers from Marine Rescue Hawkesbury will be there with their fund-raiser barbecue. Offerings include hot sausage sandwiches and refreshing cold drinks.

Ice cream and coffee will be provided by Bar Coco

  

Exercitationem

Visi ut aliquid ex

Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur.

Visi ut aliquid ex

Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatu

Et harum quidem rerum facilis est et expedita distinctio.