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Wondering why today is taking sooooo long? It's not just because this might be your last day of work for 2024.

The December Solstice is official today at 5:19 pm (AWST). This significant moment heralds the onset of astronomical summer for the southern hemisphere and the commencement of winter for the northern hemisphere. At this precise juncture, the Sun’s declination aligns perfectly at 23.5 degrees south, as perceived from our vantage point on Earth. The geographical parallel where the Sun directly hovers above during the December solstice is known as the Tropic of Capricorn. However, owing to the intricate celestial phenomenon of precession, the Sun now finds itself nestled within the astronomical constellation of Sagittarius in mid-December, marking a shift from historical references.

In the 21st century, the December solstice will grace our calendars on both the 21st and 22nd of December until 2043, after which it will occasionally appear on the 20th of December starting in 2080.

The December solstice signifies that the southern rotational pole of our Earth tilts towards the Sun, embarking on its lengthy, apparent journey northward, which will continue until June. This phenomenon, known as the Precession of the Equinoxes, unfolds over a vast expanse of time, taking approximately 26,000 years to complete a single cycle or “wobble.” To put it into perspective, within an average human lifespan of 72 years, the equinoctial points would have shifted by one degree, roughly equivalent to twice the diameter of a Full Moon. This enduring cosmic dance reminds us of the grandeur and scale of our ever-evolving celestial landscape.

This school holidays, we're holding our Intro to t

Hey, the Geminids Meteor Shower is peaking tonight!!!!

The meteor shower graces our skies for just over two weeks, spanning from December 4th to December 20th with the peak night around the 13th to the 15th of December. Our mortal enemy, the Clouds, have been their usual annoying jerk selves and dumped justttt enough rain to make Perth a sweatbox today, but they are supposed to rack off from Perth's skies around 7-8 pm.

Suppose you’re fortunate enough to find yourself in a dark location in Western Australia. In that case, you can expect to witness around 30 meteors per hour instead of the usual 50 meteors this year due to the near Full Moon conditions. The optimal viewing time is around 12:00 am to 3 am (AWST). However, if your location lies closer to the equator, where the Gemini constellation (The Twins), reigns high in the sky, your meteor count may soar to an impressive 60 to 120 per hour.

The radiant point for this meteor shower is in the Gemini constellation. The luminous streaks are the fiery deaths of minuscule dust particles and meteors for the leftover tail of an asteroid called 3200 Phaethon which Earth travels through this time each year. These particles hurtle into our atmosphere at breathtaking velocities, ultimately succumbing to the fiery embrace of friction. When you gaze at Gemini, don’t fixate solely on the constellation itself. Instead, explore about 30 to 45 degrees to the left or right of Gemini, as the meteors may not necessarily emerge directly from the constellation. However, if you trace these meteoric streaks back to their radiant point, it leads you right back to the heart of Gemini.

3200 Phaethon is a rock comet. This means even though it's an asteroid it exhibits characteristics shared with comets, including a comet-like tail and surface jets.

#perth #wa #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #westernaustralia #perthlife #perthgram #perthhappenings #Geminids2024 #Geminids #3200Phaethon #meteors #meteorshowers #shootingstars #astrophotography #photography #nightphotography #nightscapes #astrotourism #astrotourismwa #astronomynews #astronomy #spacenews #space #AstronomyEvents #FamilyFun #roadtrip #perthobservatory #perthobs

Today is the last day of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. To support the campaign, our Perth-Lowell Telescope Dome was lit up in orange.

Taken by Perth Observatory's Matt Woods (@matthewlwwoods)

#Perth #WA #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #westernaustralia #NoExcuse #OrangeTheWorld #16DaysOfActivism #16days #perthnow #perthgram #perthlife #perthtodo #perthhappenings #ThisisWA #wanderoutyonder #perthhills #perthisok #perthlife #whatsoninperth #photography #astrophotography #nightphotography #nightscape #nightsky #perthobservatory #perthobs

The International Space Station (@iss) will fly over extremely bright on Sunday night at 8:26 pm (Mag -3.8) and Monday night at 7:38 pm (Mag -3.4).

To use the attached maps, face south and hold the map above your head, and you'll see the path of the flyover.

#spotthestation #internationalspacestation #spacestation #iss #Perth #WA #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #westernaustralia #perthnow #perthgram #perthevents #perthlife #perthtodo #perthhappenings #ThisisWA #wanderoutyonder #perthhills #perthisok #perthlife #experienceperthhills #experienceperth #perthentertainment #seeperth #whatsoninperth #stargazing #nightsky #perthobservatory #perthobs

Have you noticed one bright star in the West and one in the East?

The Western bright star is Venus, and the one in the East is Jupiter, on December 8th, 2024, at 4 AM (Perth Time), Jupiter reaches Opposition. This means it will be directly opposite the Sun in the sky, and it will be brighter and more stunning than ever!

At its closest point to Earth this year, Jupiter is a striking sight at the moment through the night. It’s the perfect opportunity to see this magnificent planet in all its glory, with its moons and cloud bands visible through a telescope or binoculars.

Make sure you go outside your house and take a look. The best time this weekend to see it is around midnight when Jupiter is at its highest point in the night sky, and you need to look north.

#Perth #WA #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #spacenews #space #astronomynews #astronomy #westernaustralia #perthlife #perthhappenings #whatsinthesky #experienceperthhills #experienceperth #experiencewa #nightsky #stargazing #whatsinthesky #Jupiter #JupiterOpposition #Jupiter2024 #SpaceLovers #CosmicEvent #AstronomicalEvent #AstronomyLovers #photography #astrophotography #perthobservatory #perthobs

Looking for a unique and magical way to welcome 20

Our 2025 Perth Observatory Calendar is here!

Featuring stunning astrophotography from the talented volunteers Roger Groom (@astrophotographyaustralia) and Matt Woods (@matthewlwwoods), this calendar will take you on a journey through our night sky every month of the year. Grab your copy for $25 in our shop today!

Plus, don’t miss the final edition of Astronomy Australia 2025 ($29.95), your ultimate guide to Australia's night sky.

They're perfect as a gift or to inspire your inner astronomer! Don’t miss out.

#Perth #WA #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #westernaustralia #perthlife #perthhappenings #perthgram #christmaspresents #christmas #christmasgifts #christmastime #christmasgift #giftideas #christmasshopping #christmaspresent #gifts #christmasgiftideas #smallbusiness #shoplocal #gift #christmaspresentideas #Astrophotography #Stargazing #NightSky #AstronomyLovers #2025Calendar #perthobservatory #perthobs

@SpaceX is launching another Starship at 6:00 am A

We’re thrilled to announce the winners of our School Day Tour Giveaway, made possible by funding from WA's Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation!

🎉 Wundowie Primary School kicked things off with a visit on the 13th of November. This small school in Perth’s north-east, with just 37 students from Years 3–6, had an unforgettable day exploring the wonders of meteorites, the Moon, rainbows, the Sun, and gravity. 🪐🌈🌞

Their visit ended with a delicious sausage sizzle and goodie bags to take home. Linda Franz, the school’s Manager of Corporate Services, shared how much this opportunity meant to their students, especially as a school in a low socioeconomic area. ❤️

✨ Gwynne Park Primary School from Armadale will follow with their exciting tour on the 2nd of December.

A huge thanks to our incredible volunteers and to Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation for making these enriching experiences possible, covering everything from bus hire to lunches.

📚 Inspiring the next generation of astronomers and scientists, one school at a time! 🚀

#Perth #WA #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #Astronomynews #Spacenews #Astronomy #Space #perthlife #perthgram #SchoolDayTours #WAEducation #PerthKids #perthteachers #educationwa #westaussieteachers #perthschools #perthteachersofinstagram #perthteachertribe #australianteachers #aussieteachertribe #perthteachersnetwork #sstuwa #aussieteachers #teachersofperth #perthschool #supportlocal #perthobservatory #perthobs

🌠 Leonids Meteor Shower 2024 🌠

The Leonids Meteor Shower is gracing our skies from November 6th to November 30th, with its peak night tonight.

⏰ Best Viewing Time: Around 4:00 am (AWST)

At this hour, the radiant point within the Leo Constellation rises higher in the sky, giving you the best chance to spot meteors.

✨ What to Expect in 2024:

🌕 Sadly, the Moon (just past Full) will limit the show to around 5 meteors per hour.

⚡ These meteors travel at an astonishing 71 km/s, often producing spectacular fireballs.

🪐 Did You Know?

The Leonids originate from the debris trail of Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle.

Every 33 years, this shower may deliver a meteor "storm." The next one is predicted for 2032–2033.

The Leonid Storm of 1833 astonished skywatchers with meteors filling the sky like snowflakes, inspiring historic religious movements.

#perth #wa #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #westernaustralia #perthlife #perthgram #perthhappenings #leonids2024 #leonids #TempelTuttle #meteors #meteorshowers #shootingstars #astrophotography #photography #nightphotography #nightscapes #astrotourism #astrotourismwa #astronomynews #astronomy #spacenews #space #AstronomyEvents #FamilyFun #roadtrip #perthobservatory #perthobs

🌕✨ Tonight's A Supermoon 🌕✨

November's Full Moon is not just any old Full Moon, it's Supermoon! November's "Beaver Moon" reached its Full Moon phase this morning at 5:29 AM. Tonight it'll appear 7% larger and 15% brighter than usual throughout the night.

A Supermoon occurs when you have a Full Moon or New Moon coincides with perigee, meaning the moon is at its closest point to Earth in its orbit. This is the last of four consecutive Supermoons this year.

Supermoon is not an official astronomical term. It was first coined by an astrologer, Richard Nolle, in 1979. He defined it as ‘a New or a Full Moon that occurs when the Moon is at or near (within 90% of) its closest approach to Earth in its orbit’. It is not clear why he chose the 90% cut off in his definition. The technical term for a Supermoon is perigee-syzygy of the Earth-Moon-Sun system. In astronomy, the term syzygy refers to the straight-line configuration of three celestial bodies. Another name is perigee Full Moon.

The Full Moon in November is named the Beaver Moon because in the US and Canada it's the time of year when beavers begin to take shelter in their lodges, having sufficient food stores for the long winter ahead. During the fur trade in North America, it was also the season to trap beavers for their thick, winter-ready pelts.

The Moon will appear at its biggest around dusk this evening. That's because an optical illusion occurs when the Moon is sitting low on the horizon that makes it appear larger. While Monday night is the best time to catch the sturgeon supermoon, it'll still look impressive on Tuesday evening, too.

Grab your friends, family, and cameras, and enjoy the magic of the night sky! 🌟

#Perth #WA #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #space #spacenews #astronomy #astronomynews #westernaustralia #perthlife #perthgram #perthhappenings #astrophotography #lunarphotography #moonphotography #astronomicalevent #supermoon #supermoon2024 #NovemberSuperMoon #moon #fullmoon #luna #moonlovers #astrophoto #stargazing #astrotourism #astrotourismwa #perthobservatory #perthobs

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