21st October 2023 7.30-9.30 pm Want to learn how to identify various features on the Moon? On International Observe the Moon Night 2023, We'll have telescopes and astronomers present to help you do just that. There will be Moon, Saturn and stellar object viewing, an astronomical talk and a tour of our observatory, one of […]
By Jove! It's Jupiter Saturdays 4th and 11th of November. 7.45pm-9.45pm Saturdays 2nd and 9th of December 8.15pm-10.15pm Jupiter is at its closest point to earth and at opposition in early November. Come along to take a close look at this beautiful planet. The evening will include a tour of the observatory, a talk about […]
Friday 22st December 12.30pm - 1.15pm AEDT (+11hrs UT) In person and Online Presentation 1.15 - 2.230pm AEDT Outside Observation, safe viewing of Sun and Afternoon Tea in person. Why do we still call this celestial event "Winter Solstice" in Apps? It is time to change the nomenclature to reflect the global village we now […]
Saturday 23rd of December 2023 Get your last minute Christmas and Holiday gifts with our Early Boxing Day Sale. Our Science Shop will be open with 10% off almost everything.* There are lots of nerdy science gifts to choose from. *Telescopes excluded FAQ? Where is the shop? Our Science Shop is located in the Oddie […]
20th January 6.00pm - 10.00pm The Sci-Fi Event is back! Science and Science-Fiction have a had a long and symbiotic relationship. From Asimov, Wells, Banks, Verne to Clarke, Roddenberry and many others, these giants of science-fiction have paved the way for many new inventions that we take for granted these days. Science-Fiction fuels the […]
30 December 2023 - 30 January 2024 Looking for something to do in the school holidays? Join our nerdy school holiday program and learn more about our amazing universe. Bookings Essential. Junior Sessions Our Junior Sessions are designed especially for families with children under 10 but are suitable for everyone. Junior Sessions Include Learning about […]
Wednesday 14th February 2024 8.30 - 10.00pm Spend time with your Valentine, as you watch the stars shine and sip on some wine. We’ve got just the spot to discuss our pale blue dot, and astronomical things you’re sure to love. So come on down and look up above through a telescope with your one, […]
What is it and how do we define it? Even though time has existed since the beginning of, well, time, it was still necessary to unlock the mechanism of time, to understand it, to record it. 6.00pm: Dinner 7.30pm: Talk about Leap Days, Calendars and Time with Judith Bailey, Observatory Manager 8.00pm: Viewing at the […]
Saturday 9th March Looking for something to do this Labour Day Long weekend? Want to learn more about our amazing universe? On Saturday the 9th of March the Ballarat Observatory will be open for you to learn about our amazing universe. Note: Bookings Essential. Afternoon Session 2pm-3.30pm This session has been cancelled in line with our […]
Humanity’s First Time Around the Moon … And Our Next with Stephen Slater film producer with credits including Apollo 11 (Almost last minute confirmation!! Don't miss out.) It has been 55 years since humans first went around the Moon on Apollo 8. Next year, NASA will do it again on Artemis 2. Join Stephen Slater, film producer (with credits including Apollo 11), with this exclusive look into Apollo 8 and one of human's riskiest journeys. Using unseen archival film clips, Stephen will take us on an out-of-this world multimedia experience. 6.00pm: Optional Dinner 7.00pm: Talk 8.00pm: Optional Supper 8.30: Optional viewing […]
FAMILY EVENT 6.30pm Bring along a picnic to have outside under the stars, beautiful grounds and plenty of space to spread out. Refreshments and snacks available at the the Third Rock Cafe. Children's activities outside and inside, get involved in our Protecting the Night Activities for Students and Adults :) to go into the draw […]
Saturday 30th March 2024 2.30pm-4.30pm Hop into some Easter fun at our Cosmic Eggstravaganza: A program of fun awaits: Easter Egg Activity, Easter Basket Making, Easter-Themed Astronomy talk for children and more. The Third Rock Cafe will be open for a sausage sizzle, tea and coffee, hot chocolates and hot cocoas, and hot cross buns. […]