Activities

The Society members meet at the Observatory every Friday night.  Apart from the monthly general meeting, the Friday nights are informal, with members pursuing a variety of interests.
 

VIEWING (not including 3D Theatre)
Every Friday and Saturday night if the sky is clear. The Observatory is open to the public every Friday and Saturday night from half an hour before sunset. The charge is $4.00 per person for children and school group members and $8.00 per person for adults, concession $7.00. Family groups are $22.00 (all include GST).
 

The telescopes are operated by trained members. Left: Simon and Nathan at the Jelbart 12.5cm Refractor. Right: Ricky at the 31.5cm portable reflector.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GROUPS
Visits by school groups, clubs and community groups can be booked in advance.  The charges are as above. Please phone the Observatory on (03) 5332 7526. A booking form is available for downloading here.

MONTHLY MEETING
The frequency of General Meetings has been reduced to every two months, still on the second Friday. See the events page for dates. New members are formally welcomed and usually a talk on a astronomical subject is presented, plus general business. 

TELESCOPE MAKING
This has been a major activity throughout the life of the Society. Countless numbers have been launched on this path under expert guidance. In addition to hand grinding and polishing there is also an optical bench permanently set up. 

TELESCOPE TRAINING
After three months in the Society members may be trained in the operation of the Observatory telescopes, and on qualifying, may use them and assist in demonstrations. 

Right: Lisa and Mitchell at the 22cm Reflector.

OPEN NIGHTS
for the public are held from time to time, especially if there is a special astronomical event (eclipse, comet, Mars close approach etc).  These open nights are advertised in the Ballarat Courier newspaper and sometimes on regional radio.