The beauty of a night sky sprinkled with stars is breathtaking. More brilliant still is to view it through a big telescope at any one of our many observatories.  Jenny Springett takes a look that’s out of this world.

The 2001 Aussie film The Dish awoke us to the role we played in NASA’s Apollo 11 Moon Mission and inspired a new generation of stargazers. ‘The Dish’, in the mid-western NSW town of Parkes, is the largest radio telescope in the Southern Hemisphere and up to 100,000 people visit the CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope Visitors Centre every year.

Big astronomical events further inspire our fascination with the night sky, such as the rare transit of Venus across the face of the sun in June 2004 and Earth’s close encounter with Mars in November 2005.

For anyone familiar with the patterns of the northern sky, traditional constellations in the Australian night sky are seen upside down. Also, many events, like eclipses, can only be seen from Australia. During the first half of 2006, a clear, dark night sky will provide an excellent view of Jupiter and Saturn with its stunning rings. In May, a brilliant meteor shower is expected in the eastern sky.

NSW and the ACT have public and private observatories that allow you to get a bird’s-eye view of the heavens, and learn about the rich Aboriginal mythology of the southern skies. Take a look at our pick of the best and always remember to ring ahead to get the latest information and make a booking if required.

Sydney Observatory, on Watsons Road, Observatory Hill, The Rocks, is open every day (except Christmas Day) but night tours and workshops need to be booked. While Sydney might not be the most ideal place to view the sky due to city lights and unpredictable atmospheric and weather conditions, Sydney Observatory is a great place to visit for information on Australia’s historical involvement in astronomy. It’s also a great school holiday activity for the kids. Visit Sydney Observatory www.sydneyobservatory.com.au or call 9217 0485.

Nepean Observatory at the University of Western Sydney, Penrith Campus, holds regular public astronomy nights, and school and group programs. Enquiries and bookings can be emailed to r.mccourt@uws.edu.au or call 4736 0135.

There are a couple of observatories in the Blue Mountains such as Kings Tableland Observatory at Wentworth Falls, which is open Friday to Sunday nights and has three modern telescopes available for use. For details visit Kings Tableland Observatory www.bintel.com.au/KTLOBS.html. Or check out Linden Observatory at Linden with its modern telescope and fascinating visual history. Call 4758 9053 to visit by appointment only.

Magellan Observatory is located at Lake Bathurst, just outside Goulburn. This private observatory offers night tours, telescope hire and accommodation at its rural retreat. The site is on an elevation of 780 metres, far away from city lights, so views of the night sky are spectacular with the naked eye and incredible through a 46cm diameter telescope. For more details visit Magellan Observatory www.goulburn.net.au/~magellan or call 4849 4489.
 
Bathurst Observatory, situated at Kelso, is open to the public six nights a week provided the weather is clear, but tour times vary. Visitors can view the sky through an optical telescope as an experienced guide points out the wonders of the southern sky. Visit Bathurst Observatory www.bathurstobservatory.com.au or call 6337 3988. Bookings are essential for night viewing.

Grove Creek Observatory at Trunkey Creek (about an hour’s drive south of Bathurst) offers onsite accommodation and all-night viewing for pre-booked groups. This private, not-for-profit observatory run by volunteers attracts visitors from all over the world. You can get access to research grade telescopes for viewing, astrophotography, CCD imaging and other projects. Australian and international media have used the facility for live coverage of astronomical events. For more information visit Grove Creek Observatory www.gco.org.au or call 6368 8611 (2pm–9pm only).

Central NSW has the most idyllic conditions for a clear, uninterrupted view of the universe with a number of excellent observatories to visit in this region. Dubbo Observatory can be found next to Western Plains Zoo along Camp Road. It is open every day but bookings are essential for night sessions. The site is also home to a mini golf course. For more information visit Dubbo Observatory www.hwy.com.au/~dubbobs/ or call 6885 3022 for bookings.
 
Gilgandra Observatory is situated in the centre of town and is open every night except Sundays. Enjoy the view of the night sky through a two-metre long telescope with a 31cm diameter mirror. The observatory is also home to an awesome display of meteorites, as well as a vast collection of rocks, fossils and wildflowers. A lovely garden surrounds the observatory, and with over 80 roses of different colours and scents in the garden, a visit can be a feast for the nostrils as well as the eyes! Visit Gilgandra Observatory www.gilobs.com.au or call 6847 2646.

In Canberra, you can visit the Mount Stromlo Observatory ... or at least its rebuilding (which includes the reconstruction of an original Heritage-listed 1920’s building). Mount Stromlo was a casualty of the 2003 Canberra bushfires. The two main office buildings and the Stromlo Visitors Centre were left intact, and you can visit the Visitors Centre and cafe anytime Wednesday to Sunday, 10am–5pm. Watch a film about astronomy in the Visitors Centre, then sit back with a coffee and cake in the cafe and enjoy the daytime views. The ‘Saturday Night Stargazing’ program will recommence at the end of January in three new domes. For more details visit Mount Stromlo Observatory www.mso.anu.edu.au or call 6125 0232.

At Coonabarabran, also known as the astronomy capital of NSW, visit Siding Springs Observatory, home to some of the world’s largest optimal telescopes. The telescopes are used for research and booked out months in advance so they are not available for public viewing. But a trip can include plenty of interactive fun at its hands-on astronomy education and tourist centre. Guided tours of the observatory site, which include viewings of the imposing telescopes themselves and the opportunity to enjoy 360 degree views of the Warrumbungles, are also run regularly. For more details visit Siding Springs Observatory www.sidingspringexploratory.com.au or call 6842 6211.

Skywatch Observatory, also at Coonabarabran, offers guided telescope viewing each night, displays and hands-on activities. You can also enjoy a Thai meal at the observatory’s restaurant. For more information call 6842 3303.

Finally, if you’re planning to visit the CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope Visitors Centre, it is located off the Newell Highway, 20km north of Parkes, and is open seven days a week. You can’t view the night sky through ‘the Dish’, but you do gain valuable insight into historical and scientific information about Australian astronomy from the displays, audio-visual shows (including a 3D theatre) and dedicated staff. For more details visit CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope Visitors Centre www.parkes.atnf.csiro.au/visitors_centre/ or call 6861 1777.