Malin Exhibition

[Peter Ward]

I had the pleasure of attending the launch of the CWAS Malin awards exhibition at Sydney Observatory last Saturday. The Powerhouse Museum did a superb job in mounting and lighting the prints. Using cut-off gallery spotlighting they took on a "back illuminated" look. The Auroral shots in particular looked spectacular.

Well worth a visit should you be down by Sydney's Rocks area over the Christmas period. :thumbsup::thumbsup:

[Crater101]

Mate, how long is the exhibition hosted for? I couldn't see it on the museums website (unless I've missed the very obvious). I'll be down there early in the New Year and if it's still on I'll certainly take it in.

[Peter Ward]

try:
https://powerhouse.com.au/program/southern-sky-astrophotography?details=open

That said, the PHM are trying to re-badge Sydney Observatory's essential role to provide safe navigation in a young colony as being of secondary importance to "native cultural" star lore and similar interests.

I was appalled to see Bruce Pascoe's thoroughly debunked "Black Emu" work of fiction on sale in their shop. Not the sort of claptrap you'd expect to see in Australia's oldest observatory.

[Crater101]

My humble thanks for the link. Much appreciated. :thumbsup:


Black Emu? Don't get me started... :screwy:

[Peter Ward]

Ah... Mr (aka "Professor") Pascoe's book. Sigh....

I worked in QF with a young, formerly charter pilot from the top end, and part of his brief (back in the day) was to amuse the well heeled “glamping” passengers with stories as they sat around a campfire.
He was amazed that I had an interest in astronomy, as he frankly admitted to having zero knowledge in that area.

He was asked about the glittering stars (hard not to notice under pristine skies) and candidly admitted to “making $_it up” to amuse the tour group
e.g. “first nations described that rich run of stars towards the southern cross as the scales on the big barramundi , which has swimming in the dark pool (Coal sack) …that dark bit….next to the south cross”

There were many nods of approval and glowing comments from the group (typically heralding from Toorak or similar) like “oh…such a deep and rich culture”

He had me in tears of laughter. “Maate…they loved it…and I was just making up _hit as I went”

As the saying goes: never let the facts get in the way of a good story.