Macquarie University Foundation for Astronomy
Astronomy Open Nights
These constitute the highest profile activity of the foundation. A typical evening has ~700 people viewing the night sky through up to 30 telescopes operated by their amateur astronomer owners, together with a talk by a professional astronomer on some topic of interest. Displays are operated by some of the major astronomical institutions as well as many of the amateur societies. Several astronomical retail outlets also set up displays, as well as the University Co-operative Bookshop. Items of astronomical interest are available for sale at some of the displays. A food outlet is run by a local group.
The next open night will be held on the 11th of October, 2008. The speaker is Matthew Colless, director of the Anglo-Australian Observatory, and he will give an illustrated lecture entitled "Future Telescopes for Australia" at 7:45 in building E7B.
The entrance fees are:
$10 Adult
$5 Child
$25 Family
The evening will not be cancelled in the event of bad weather, however the telescopes will not be available if it is cloudy.
A printable notice advertising the open night is available here (Microsoft Word file).
Photos from previous Open Nights are available here