Carnarvon Astrofest 2011

4pm—8pm Saturday 9th April
Carnarvon Sea Rescue, Harbour Rd.
FREE ENTRY

RSVP by 7th of April on 99411 999 or astrofest2011@gmail.com

 

Presentations

• From WA to the edge of the Universe: The Square Kilometre Array Project
• Telescopes for Dummies
• Discovering Astrophotography
• Guided Star Gazing
• Sausage Sizzle, Bar & Fellowship

Sessions

• 4:00pm Start/Introduction
• 4:05pm SKA Presentation ~ Pete Wheeler
• 4:45pm Telescopes for Dummies ~ Richard Tonello
• 5:30pm Sausage Sizzle & Fellowship
• 6:00pm Discovering Astrophotography ~ Richard Tonello
• 6:30pm Starry Night Presentation ~ Richard Tonello
• 7:00pm Guided Viewing Night ~ Pete Wheeler & Richard Tonello

From WA to the edge of the Universe - the Square Kilometre Array Project

Have you heard of the 'Square Kilometre Array' radio telescope? Do you know what Radio Astronomy is? Join us as Pete Wheeler from the International Centre for Radio Astronomy (ICRAR) provides the answers and explains why outback Western Australia is the perfect place for a project that will help scientists around the world unlock some of the biggest mysteries in the Universe.  

Telescope for Dummies

Thinking about buying a telescope and looking at the night sky more closely? Don’t have a clue where to start and how much to pay? Come along to this session and learn the basic features to look for and get some free advice. 

Discovering Astrophotography

Astrophotography is a popular hobby among photographers and amateur astronomers. Images of the night sky can be created with the most basic film and digital cameras. There is a wide range of commercial equipment geared toward basic and advanced astrophotography. Amateur astrophotographers can use homemade equipment and modified devices.

Richard is also an accomplished Astrophotographer. As a part of the International Year of Astronomy (2009) his astrophotographic works travelled the state during as a part of the Perth Observatory’s IYA 2009 activities. The exhibition, entitled Celestia Photographica, is a collection of astrophotographic images taken by Richard as well as contributing astro-photographers Vic and Ben Levis.  Over the years, Richard has maintained a number of links and collaborations with national and international astrophotographers and astronomers.

Starry Night Presentation

Before we start the night sky viewing through the telescopes with Pete and Richard, we’ll have an introductory session to inform us of what exactly we’ll be looking for on this night. The telescopes we’ll be using will include at least three 10”  Dobsonians, a 2 8” Schmidt Cassegrain CPC GOTO scopes,  a 11” Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, an 8" Custom Dobsonian, a 6" Newtonian GOTO , and a 5" Maksutov-Cassegrain GOTO. 

 

Guided Viewing Night

On 9 April the Sun will set just after 6pm (with twilight ending around 6:30pm). The waxing crescent Moon will be less than a week old, presenting spectacular views of the terminator and craters. To the south we’ll see the Southern Cross, The Jewel Box open cluster, the globular cluster Omega Centauri and our galactic neighbours the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds. To the east the ringed giant Saturn will rise just after sunset and to the west the constellation of Orion the Hunter will be prominent presenting views of the Orion Nebula and the super giant red star Betelgeuse.

Meet the Presenters

Pete Wheeler is a Science Communicator with the role of managing outreach and education for the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) in Perth. Pete has a passion for developing innovative projects on a state, national and international level which engage people of all ages and connect scientists with the community. Before ICRAR Pete spent 7 years with Scitech, managing Horizon Planetarium, overseeing the Astronomy WA initiative and delivering the International Year of Astronomy for the state.  

Richard Tonello is the owner and operator of Astronomy Education Services (AES). Richard’s experience covers over 14 years in astronomy education, six of which was working for the Perth Observatory, heading their Public Outreach and Education programs. Richard also conducts a number of astronomy courses at such institutions as ECU Joondalup School of Natural Sciences, UWA Extensions and Binocular, Telescope & Optical World (BTOW) beginners classes, he also works part time at the Gingin Observatory.   

Further enquiries are welcome to Coordinator: Sabrina Dowling Giudici on astrofest2011@gmail.com or by telephone at +61 8 99411 999

Proudly Supported By

• ICRAR
• Rotary Club of Carnarvon
• Carnarvon Volunteer Sea Rescue 
• Gascoyne Higher Education Advocacy Group

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