The Astronomical Society of WA will be holding a number of events for the public during IYA, so here is the thread for updates on what's happening in and around Perth.
The first event is going to be tomorrow for the partial solar eclipse. Members will be gathering in the carparks at City Beach to show the public the eclipse in safety. The event is free to attend. Turn up any time between 5pm and 7pm for a look but the best time will be around mid-eclipse at 6pm. Just have a look around for some strange looking people pointing scopes at the sun! That will be us.
Three main events already on the cards are a public night on Sat 4th April for the 100 hours of Astronomy and another on the 24th October - venues still to be confirmed. We will also be taking part in the Space Trail, a large event involving several organisations, which will happen during Science Week in August. More events are likely but not confirmed at this stage.
Check in here for updates and reports as the year progresses.
I've finally got some pictures together from the partial solar eclipse on Australia Day. A number of ASWA members gathered at City Beach to observe the eclipse and share it with the public. It was a mostly clear sky, although we had a bit of cloud go over the sun in the last half hour. About a hundred people came and had a look through various PST scopes, a Coronado 40 and an old refractor set up to do a projected image. A very relaxed afternoon and it was nice to be able to share it with so many people.
As part of the International Year of Astronomy, the Astronomical Society of Western Australia (Inc.) presents a Public Viewing Night under the stars at the Gooseberry Hill Primary School on Saturday 4 April, 2009.
See the Moon, Saturn and a host of other beautiful celestial objects in the wonderful autumn sky through large telescopes.
Why not bring your own picnic tea and sit out on the grass from 6pm. Viewing starts at 7.30pm (weather permitting).
Tea and coffee available. No alcohol or smoking permitted on school grounds.
Enter the school from Huntley Street. Viewing facilities for wheelchairs.
ASWA Public Viewing Night for 100 Hours of Astronomy
Just got back from a great night at Gooseberry Hill. The clouds stayed away so the crowds didn't. 15 telescopes plus presentations kept the people entertained and informed. Plus a meteor or two for good measure.
Our next IYA night is on 2nd May in Tammin. Tammin is a town about 2 hours east of Perth on the Great Eastern Hwy. We'll be holding a free event for any interested locals, near and far, on the Sat night at the local footy oval. More details to come soon.
Our next IYA night is on 2nd May in Tammin. Tammin is a town about 2 hours east of Perth on the Great Eastern Hwy. We'll be holding a free event for any interested locals, near and far, on the Sat night at the local footy oval. More details to come soon.
With the 2nd of May rapidly approaching, its time to give out some more details!
Place: Donnan Park Oval (the local footy oval, on the Wyalkatchem rd on the west side of town)
When: 6.30pm to 9.30pm, on Sat 2nd May
Around 7pm we'll be having a short speech to officially thank the Shire for their assistance in helping us with an observing site to the north of town.
If the weather is cloudy I'll be giving a presentation following the speeches.
Entry is free and open to all interested members of the public.
The night at Tammin on Saturday went very well, about 70 people came along, some having driven 100km to get there! Met lots of locals, which was one of the aims of the night and talked about future activities up there. Perfect weather for it too.
Astrofest is being run by AstronomyWA, not ASWA. I know it will be held at Curtin University. It really is too early for any details to be released other than that. Sorry, Sean, but you're just going to have to be more patient! Try the AstronomyWA website: www.astronomywa.net.au
Im going to dryandra in october and i am wondering about the accomadation. Is each dorm big? How many people usually go?
Sean,
If you contact Hilary Burns at ASWA (the camp co-ordinator) she'll give you information on all the accommodation options. Her contact details are in the Sidereal Times.
ASWA Public Viewing Night Saturday 4 April 2009
