This time a year ago, the COVID-19 pandemic really started making things interesting.
At the time, it felt like we were closed to visitors for years – but we’ve been very lucky in WA. Even last month’s brief lockdown, however inconvenient, was preferable to it lasting for many months as we’ve seen in other states and other countries. There’s a lot to celebrate at Western Australia’s oldest observatory.
The re-elected Labor government has committed to $1.6m in funding for Perth Observatory over the next four years. This much-needed funding is good news, and it will help with our general operations costs and expand our STEM education programs.
We’re also celebrating a very special anniversary: the 50th anniversary of our majestic Lowell telescope, which has accomplished many amazing things over the years. Join us in April for a guided tour, hear from a real-life government astronomer who worked with the Lowell telescope in its glory days. Looking to the skies, the next few months include not one but two meteor showers, a lunar eclipse, and endlessly fascinating nebulas and galaxies.
Join our winter night tours for a look through our telescopes; Alpha Centauri is highest from March to September, and Omega Centauri is easily seen from April through September. For our younger and young-at-heart visitors, we’re hosting a fairy afternoon tea next month to celebrate the release of POVG volunteer Jan Baldwin’s wonderful book ‘Out and about with Artemis at the Perth Observatory.
What’s more, we have new items in our Astroshop, special events for ‘Towel Day’ and ‘May the Fourth’, daytime tours on Sundays, and an art competition for the Lowell Telescope Anniversary.
Thank you for supporting Perth Observatory, I hope to make you welcome on the hill at Bickley soon.
