As the City of Sydney powers down and dims its lights for Earth Hour 2023, take advantage of the reduced light pollution and celebrate the night sky.
This is a free evening, suitable for all ages, held on the lawns of Sydney Observatory. Featuring telescope viewings, talks from astronomers and First Nations Knowledge Holders, and new music inspired by the stars.
TELESCOPES
Observe the planets, stars and distant star clusters through telescopes on the lawn at Observatory Hill. Observatory staff will be on hand to help visitors view the night sky.
TALKS
Dr Toner Stevenson, Geoffrey Wyatt and Kirsten Banks, facilitated by Professor Fred Watson AM.
Ahead of the 20 April 2023 eclipse, learn from this panel of astronomers and First Nations Knowledge Holders as they discuss the process of a total solar eclipse when day becomes night and give fascinating insights into First Nations eclipse experiences. Stevenson is co-editor of Eclipse Chasers (CSIRO Publishing, March 2023), which features contributions from other panellists.
PERFORMANCE
Hear new music inspired by the Astrographic Catalogue composed by sonic scholar and current Powerhouse Research Fellow Dr Diana Chester, who uses sonification of constellations to sound the southern night sky into an auditory experience.
REFRESHMENTS
Food and non-alcoholic drinks available to purchase from Redfern-based restaurateurs Bush.
Pre-purchase your hamper to collect on arrival and avoid queueing on the night, simply select your preferred hamper when booking your tickets. Details below:
Share Hamper – Meat (serves 2)*^
- Smoked eel rillette
- Wild boar chorizo
- Pepperberry pickled red onion
- Native spinach pesto
- Smoked buffalo mozzarella
- Saltbush focaccia
- Non-alcoholic drink
Share Hamper – Vegetarian (serves 2)*^
- White bean and bay
- Oxheart tomato
- Pepperberry pickled red onion
- Native spinach pesto
- Smoked buffalo mozzarella
- Saltbush focaccia
- Non-alcoholic drink
BOOKS
Dr Toner Stevenson, co-editor of Eclipse Chasers (CSIRO Publishing, March 2023), will be available to sign copies on sale for $39.99.
This is a free event, but bookings are essential. Please note that this outdoor event is weather dependent. We will notify ticketholders within 24 hours if the event is cancelled due to the weather forecast.
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Dr Toner Stevenson has witnessed six total solar eclipses. She was manager of Sydney Observatory for over a decade and is a history affiliate with the University of Sydney, researching the history of astronomy. Toner is Vice President and website editor for citizen astronomy society Sydney City Skywatchers.
Kirsten Banks is a Wiradjuri woman, astronomer and astrophysicist who studied the evolution of galaxies in her work at University of New South Wales. In her work as a science communicator, she explores the nature of the universe and shares Indigenous astronomy with her audience. She previously worked at Sydney Observatory as an Astronomy Guide.
Professor Fred Watson was Astronomer-in-Charge at the Australian Astronomical Observatory in Coonabarabran, NSW, from 1995 to 2015. In 2018, the Australian Government appointed him as Australia’s first Astronomer-at-large, a role in which he works closely with State and Federal government scientists and communicators. Fred has an asteroid named after him (5691 Fredwatson) by the International Astronomical Union.
Geoffrey Wyatt is an Education Program Producer and has developed and presented many highly engaging and interactive science programs over the past 30 years for the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences at Sydney Observatory and the Powerhouse. He is a twice winner of the prestigious David Malin Award for astrophotography, Malcom King award for staff development and TAFE State medallist in Conveyancing. His artwork has been etched into a spacecraft and he inspired the song Reqiuem55 by Jul3ia Richard.
Tickets
| Type | Name | Price | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Ages | FREE |
^Hamper Terms & Conditions
All sales are final.
Pre-ordering a hamper is not a ticket, all patrons must have a valid ticket to attend.
Hampers will be provided upon check-in at the venue to those who have purchased. We reserve the right to request photo ID upon collection.
*Ingredients are subject to change based on seasonal availability
Back to top of pagePlan Your Experience
All the information you need to plan your visit is available on the Sydney Observatory venue page, including:
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