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The International Space Station (@iss) will fly over extremely bright on Friday, February 6th at 8:11 pm (Mag -3.7).

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

You’ll see it called the Snow Moon in the media. That name comes from the Northern Hemisphere, where February is the peak of winter and heavy snowfall is common. These Moon names were widely popularised in the 1930s when the Old Farmer’s Almanac in the US published traditional names used by Algonquin peoples of north-eastern North America, which were later adopted by colonial Americans.

Some North American tribes called it the Hungry Moon, a pretty grim but honest reference to late winter when food was scarce, hunting was difficult, and supplies were running low. Others knew it as the Bear Moon, linked to the time when bear cubs were born, hidden away in their dens while winter still ruled the landscape.

Across the Atlantic, the names reflected equally harsh conditions. In Celtic and Old English traditions, February’s Full Moon was known as the Storm Moon or Ice Moon, both a nod to wild weather, frozen ground, and the fact that winter still had its boot firmly on everyone’s neck.

Down here in WA, of course, there’s no snow, no starving hunters, and definitely no bears. So we can safely rename it the “Why does the Moon look absolutely massive and gold?” Moon.

🌙 The timing bits

The Moon officially reaches full at 6:08 am on Monday, but it’ll look fantastic both nights:
• Tonight: Moonrise at 7:05 pm AWST
• Monday night: Moonrise at 7:43 pm AWST

As it rises, it’ll look huge, golden, and slightly suspiciously close. That warm colour comes from Rayleigh scattering, where moonlight passes through a thicker slice of Earth’s atmosphere near the horizon. Blue light gets scattered away, leaving those rich yellow, orange, and golden tones, the same process that turns eclipsed Moons deep red.

No telescope needed. Just look east, enjoy the glow. 🌕✨

#Perth #WA #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #space #spacenews #astronomy #astronomynews #westernaustralia #perthlife #perthgram #perthhappenings #astrophotography #lunarphotography #moonphotography #astronomicalevent #snowmoon #snowmoon2026 #moon #fullmoon #luna #moonlovers #astrophoto #stargazing #perthobservatory #perthobs

🎤🌌 And we’re off… eventually! 🌌🎤

The Summer Lecture is officially up and running after the traditional good-luck AV wobble right at the start. Wouldn’t be a live event without it 😄

Right now, over 200 people are tuned in as Dr Coward takes us through how we defend planet Earth. No pressure, David.

Plenty of legends arrived early to enjoy a relaxed picnic on our back lawn, soaking up the sunshine before going full Indiana Jones mode, exploring the Observatory’s incredible history, poking through the museum, and chatting with our wonderful volunteers inside the historic domes.

The only uninvited guest was a slightly over-enthusiastic easterly wind, which clearly didn’t read the event brief.

Cracking crowd, great vibes, and Earth is in safe hands 🌍✨

#Perth #WA #westernaustralia #perthnews #wanews communitynews perthevents perthlife perthtodo PerthHappenings PerthWeekend ThisisWA FamilyFriendly PerthEvents AstronomyForKids PlanetaryDefence experienceperthhills experienceperth experiencewa ThingsToDoInPerth SeePerth VisitWA SummerEventsWA FamilyFriendlyWA WAEvents perthhills perthentertainment perthobservatory perthobs

Join us at the Perth Observatory for an unforgettable day exploring the wonders of space. You can book your spot using this link: https://loom.ly/r6vx05Y

Enjoy engaging historical tours and discover the legacy of Western Australia’s oldest observatory. View the Sun safely through specialised solar telescopes and see our nearest star in remarkable detail. Meet astronomy and imaging experts, including Roger Groom from Astrophotography Australia, and visit BinoCentral for advice on binoculars and telescopes, with opportunities to purchase equipment on the day.

Travel through the universe with immersive 360-degree virtual reality space experiences. Kids can enjoy arts and crafts, paid art workshops with Supanova Studios, a bouncy castle, face painting, lawn games, and a classic sausage sizzle. Get hands-on with a community space mural and learn about citizen science, fireballs, the Global Meteor Network, and how everyday people can help scientists study space.

#Perth #WA #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #westernaustralia #perthlife #perthhappenings #perthtodo #perthgram #perthevents #seeperth #WalkingOnADream #ThisisWA #justanotherdayinwa #wanderoutyonder #experienceperthhills #experienceperth #experiencewa #schoolholidays #summerholidays #family #familytime #whatsonwa #mustdowa #sceneinperth #space #astronomy #perthobservatory #perthobs

Today marks 40 years since the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.

On 28 January 1986, just 73 seconds after launch, Challenger was lost, along with its seven crew members:

Francis “Dick” Scobee, Michael Smith, Ronald McNair, Ellison Onizuka, Judith Resnik, Gregory Jarvis, and Christa McAuliffe.

Selected from more than 11,000 applicants, Christa McAuliffe was set to become the first teacher in space, carrying the hopes of classrooms around the world with her.

They were astronauts, scientists, engineers, educators, and explorers, united by a belief that space exploration matters, not just for discovery, but for what it teaches us about courage, curiosity, and responsibility.

The loss of Challenger was a profound moment in human spaceflight. It forced hard questions about decision-making, safety culture, and the pressures placed on science and engineering. The lessons learned reshaped NASA and continue to influence how space missions are planned and flown today.

Forty years on, we remember the crew not for the tragedy alone, but for their dedication to exploration and education, and for the lasting legacy their mission left behind.

“The future doesn’t belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave.”
— Christa McAuliffe

Today, we pause, remember, and reflect.
Godspeed to the crew of STS-51-L.

#Perth #WA #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #westernaustralia #space #spacenews #Challenger40 #ChallengerDisaster #STS51L #RememberChallenger #NeverForget #HumanSpaceflight #SpaceHistory #SpaceExploration #NASA #NASAHistory #LearningFromHistory #ExplorationWithPurpose #STEMLegacy #EducatorsInSpace #ForTheCrew #RIP #RestInPeace #GodSpeed #perthobservatory #perthobs

We hope you all have a wonderful Australia Day. It's great to live under this amazing night sky.

In Australia, the Southern Cross is circumpolar and can be seen throughout the year. It's the smallest constellation in terms of size, and you can only see five stars with the naked eye.

There's a lovely open star cluster of sparkling blue and red stars called the Jewel Box next to the Southern Cross. The cluster, which contains 100 stars, is about 10 million years old and 8,800 light-years away. Just below the Jewel Box is a dark nebula called the Coalsack. The Coalsack is the head of the Emu in the night sky that the indigenous people saw in the night sky.

Stories from the Noongar people depict the stars of Crux as five naughty youngsters who scattered when a spear was thrown at them. Another Noongar story has the stars of Crux and the pointers as seven sacred men/spirits who came to Earth and made the laws and started the 14 different language groups to re-establish the good marriage state.

Image Credit: Roger Groom from @astrophotographyaustralia and a fellow Perth Observatory volunteer.

#australiaday #australiaday2026 #australia #australian #australiagram #aussie #downunder #straya #greatsouthernland #perth #wa #westernaustralia #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #perthlife #perthhills #perthisokay #westisbest #southerncross #lakeleschenaultia #experienceperthhills #stargazing #astrotourism #astrotourismwa #experienceperth #experiencewa #experienceaustralia #perthobs #perthobservatory

✨ Ladies, this one’s written in the stars ✨

To celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (A day early!), we’re hosting a Ladies' Only Star Party at the Perth Observatory. You can book your spot using the Linktree link in our description.

Whether you’re a seasoned stargazer with a telescope that has a name or you’re just starting and wondering which end to look through, this night is for you. Come along to connect with other women, swap tips, ask questions, and enjoy hands-on stargazing in a relaxed and supportive environment.

Bring your telescope if you have one, bring a chair so you can get comfy, and feel free to BYO snacks and drinks. Our shop will also be open with ice creams and soft drinks, because astronomy is always better with dessert

No matter your experience level, beginner or expert, join us for an inspiring and fun night under the stars… weather permitting, of course

📍 Perth Observatory
📅 Tuesday, 10 February
⏰ 7:30 pm to 11:00 pm (doors open 7:00 pm)
💫 $15 per attendee

Spaces are limited, so grab your spot and come celebrate women, science, and the night sky with us 💜🔭

#perth #wa #WesternAustralia #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #PerthWomen #WomenOfPerth #WAEvents #PerthEvents #WhatsOnPerth #WomenSupportingWomen #WomenInScience #GirlsInScience #WomenInSTEM #STEMinWA #WomenWhoExplore #Stargazing #AstronomyLovers #NightSky #StarParty #LadiesNight #GirlsNightOut #UnderTheStars #InternationalDayOfWomenAndGirlsInScience #perthtodo #PerthHappenings #experienceperthhills #PerthObservatory #PerthObs

🌌 Aurora Watch: Round 2 🌌

Last night was an absolute cracker for aurora viewing and photography, and the good news is the Sun isn’t done with us yet.

While tonight’s geomagnetic storm isn’t quite the showstopper we saw last night, the indicators are still saying Earth is very much under attack. The Floyd Mayweather style jabs and Mike Tyson uppercuts we copped last night have eased back a little. Think more Zab Judah jabs after Kostya Tszyu was finished with him. The solar energy is still streaming in, just not at the same intensity as last night.

That means there is still a chance of seeing the Aurora Australis again tonight.

Think of it like the 2010 Collingwood vs St Kilda Grand Final. Last night was the drawn Grand Final, unforgettable stuff. Tonight could be the replay, still a very solid encore performance. And at least this time, we don’t have to watch Collingwood dismantle St Kilda to win a flag.

If conditions play nicely, keep an eye on the southern sky from around 8:30 pm onwards, ideally from a good dark spot away from city lights. Good inland options include rest stops along Great Eastern Highway, Brookton Highway, or Albany Highway.

It’s worth keeping an eye on the Glendale Aurora app
https://loom.ly/DWttB_8

and the Aurora Australis Western Australia Facebook Group
https://loom.ly/ogbS5hc

As always, auroras work in bursts, so patience is key and snacks are strongly recommended.

Will the Sun deliver a sequel? We’re cautiously optimistic and fully prepared to be hurt again.

Clear skies, good luck, and fingers crossed for Round 2 🌠

#Perth #WA #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #westernaustralia #astronomy #astronomynews #space #spacenews #auroraaustralis #aurora #southernlights #solarstorm #stargazing #astrophotography #photography #nightphotography #astrotourismwa #astrotourism #perthlife #perthgram #seeperth #ThisisWA #wanderoutyonder #justanotherdayinwa #WAtheDreamState #experiencewa #perthobservatory #perthobs

Here is the time-lapse of the Aurora Australis captured by our own Matt Woods. You can see the ethereal auroral sheets dancing across the southern night sky from around 8:30 pm through to about 9:45 pm, a beautiful reminder of just how alive the sky can be when the Sun decides to put on a show.

#Perth #WA #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #westernaustralia #astronomy #astronomynews #space #spacenews #auroraaustralis #aurora #southernlights #solarstorm #stargazing #astrophotography #photography #nightphotography #astrotourismwa #astrotourism #perthlife #perthgram #seeperth #ThisisWA #wanderoutyonder #justanotherdayinwa #WAtheDreamState #experiencewa #perthobservatory #perthobs

The Perth @scorchersbbl weren’t the only ones putting on a show last night 🔥🌌

What a night the Aurora Australis delivered. The sky absolutely came to play, treating us to stunning, ethereal auroral sheets from around 8:30 pm through to about 9:45 pm, complete with a bonus meteor streaking through the scene, because clearly the universe was feeling generous.

Just when we thought it might be done, the aurora returned for an encore around 10:50 pm, glowing away before we finally packed up and left the Observatory, tired, happy, and slightly ruined for normal nights under the stars.

Meanwhile, the Sun is still throwing punches. Solar jabs and uppercuts from this ongoing storm are continuing to light up skies across Europe and North America right now. If that energy keeps flowing, there is a very real chance it could roll into our skies again tonight.

In short, the Sun is still in a mood, and we are absolutely here for it. Fingers crossed for round two 🌠

#Perth #WA #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #westernaustralia #astronomy #astronomynews #space #spacenews #auroraaustralis #aurora #southernlights #solarstorm #stargazing #astrophotography #photography #nightphotography #astrotourismwa #astrotourism #perthlife #perthgram #seeperth #ThisisWA #wanderoutyonder #justanotherdayinwa #WAtheDreamState #experiencewa #perthobservatory #perthobs

We have Aurora!!!!!!

In dark locations in the Perth Hills at least it is just visible to the naked eye, but it's definitely there in photos

#Perth #WA #perthnews #wanews #communitynews westernaustralia astronomy astronomynews space spacenews auroraaustralis aurora southernlights solarstorm stargazing astrophotography photography nightphotography astrotourismwa astrotourism perthlife perthgram seeperth ThisisWA wanderoutyonder justanotherdayinwa WAtheDreamState experiencewa perthobservatory perthobs

🚨 Aurora Alert 🚨

On January 18th, the Sun decided subtlety was overrated and fired off a long-duration X2 solar flare along with a full halo Coronal Mass Ejection aimed squarely at Earth. The result was a severe S4 proton radiation storm peaking at around 36,000 pfu, the strongest of this century and one of the biggest we have ever measured with modern instruments.

That solar uppercut started arriving late last night and has continued through today. With the strength of the storm, the timing, and conditions lining up surprisingly well, there is a genuine chance the Aurora Australis could be visible much further north than usual tonight, potentially as far north as Perth, Sydney, and even Auckland latitudes. In short, the Sun pressed the “chaos” button and forgot to turn it off.

🌌 WHEN AND WHERE TO LOOK

Auroras love darkness, patience, and clear skies. They do not love streetlights, car headlights, or that one neighbour who insists on using a head torch at full brightness.

Find a dark location with a clear view to the south. Be set up before sunset so you are not fumbling with tripods in the dark while the aurora quietly judges you.

Auroras often arrive in bursts rather than staying on constantly. The atmosphere needs time to charge up, then releases those eerie, glowing sheets like it is showing off.

Start looking from around 8:30 pm, scanning from south east through to south west.

🚗📸 TOP SPOTS IN WA

If you can, escape Perth’s light dome. City glow and auroras are not friends.

Good inland options include rest stops along Great Eastern Highway, Brookton Highway, or Albany Highway.

Coastal favourites like Esperance, Albany, Denmark, Ferguson Valley, and Cape Leeuwin are prime aurora real estate when conditions behave themselves.

#Perth #WA #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #westernaustralia #astronomy #astronomynews #space #spacenews #auroraaustralis #aurora #southernlights #solarstorm #stargazing #astrophotography #photography #nightphotography #astrotourismwa #astrotourism #perthlife #perthgram #seeperth #ThisisWA #wanderoutyonder #justanotherdayinwa #WAtheDreamState #experiencewa #perthobservatory #perthobs

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