Mount Stromlo Observatory in conjunction with the Canberra Astronomical Society invite the Canberra community to attend our public observing nights of 2016. Come and see the rings of Saturn, the craters of the moon as well as beautiful star clusters and nebulae. On the night attendees will be taken on a ‘tour of the universe’ with talks by astronomers from Mt. Stromlo Observatory, including Prof. Matthew Colless and A/Prof Celine D'Orgeville, and observations on several telescopes. 

Prof. Matthew Colless has been the director of the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics since 2013.  He currently serves on the board of directors for the Giant Magellan Telescope, a 25-meter telescope being built in Chile.  In 2001, he was listed as one of the most-cited scientists in Australia.  He has an interest in how galaxies form, and cosmology, including measuring sound ripples from the Big Bang called Baryonic Acoustic Oscillations.

A/Prof. Celine D'Orgeville joined the ANU RSAA Adaptive Optics (AO) group in 2012 to lead Laser Guide Star (LGS) activities undertaken at the Advanced Instrumentation and Technology Centre.  Prior to moving to Australia, Céline worked at the Gemini Observatory where she led the design, fabrication and commissioning of the Gemini North LGS facility in Hawaii (1999-2006), and the Gemini South LGS facilityin Chile (2007-2011). The Gemini South AO system, GeMS, is the only Multi-Conjugate Adaptive Optics facility in the world. The GeMS LGS facility is also unique in creating not just one but five sodium LGS to probe the atmosphere and enable GeMS to restore the diffraction-limit of the Gemini South 8-metre telescope over a 2 arcminute field of view. 

Bookings essential: mtstromlopublicnights.eventbrite.com.au  

Entry by gold coin donation. Warm clothing is recommended.

In the event of cloudy/bad weather, star gazing will be cancelled (the talks will occur regardless of the weather). You can check out the weather at Mt Stromlo using our all sky camera.

2016 Dates:  29 April, 3 June, 8 July, 19 August, and 23 September.