Mount Stromlo Observatory in conjunction with the Canberra Astronomical Society invite the Canberra community to attend our public observing nights of 2017. 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 and observations on several telescopes.

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. Entry by gold coin donation. Warm clothing is recommended. Southern Cross Stromlo will also be open to serve cold and warm drinks, snacks, and hot soup and roll.

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

2017 Dates: 21 April, 5 May, 2 June, 30 June, 28 July, 18 August, 15 September.