The Macquarie University Observatory was originally constructed as a research facility but, since 1997, has also been accessible to the public through its Public Observing Program. The Observatory saw a record crowd on the night of 29th August 2003, with 667 visitors attending to observe the Opposition of Mars. The Observatory continues to support public-access astronomy, undergraduate teaching and occasional research-level activities.

History of the Observatory:
The Observatory was first opened in 1978. The Foundation for Astronomy was established in 1988 by Dr. Alan Vaughan to raise funds for further development of the Observatory, which was moved to its present site adjacent to Culloden Rd in the early 1990s. The second dome, which houses the 16" Meade telescope, was opened by Professor John Loxton on 3rd May 1997. Construction of this dome was funded by the Macquarie University School of Mathematics, Physics, Computing and Electronics and the Foundation for Astronomy.

The Public Observing Program was operated from 1997 until the end of 2001 by a privately-operated business, Southern Skies Mobile Observatory. Since 1st January 2002, the Public Observing Program has been operated by students studying for their BSc (majoring in Astronomy and Astrophysics) or higher degrees. Much of this work is voluntary.

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Last modified: 24th October 2007
Author: Lesa Moore (starrylady@hotmail.com)