Sydney Observatory

SYDNEY OBSERVATORY

Overlooking Sydney Harbour, Sydney Observatory is Australia's oldest observatory built in 1857-59. Situated on Observatory Hill, it is an important site in the nation's scientific history. It was essential to ship navigation, meteorology, time-keeping and studying the unfamiliar stars of the Southern Hemisphere. The Powerhouse Museum's Sydney Observatory is great for the whole family! Night tours include exhibitions, lectures, films, up-to-date images from the Hubble Telescope on the Internet, a tour of the domes and stargazing through the telescopes.

NOW SHOWING

Cadi Eora Birrung: Under the Sydney stars

Aboriginal people were Australia's first astronomers. This exhibition shows many constellations in the southern skies and explains how they were created from an Aboriginal perspective. It highlights how the stars were used for navigation by land and sea, for land and water management practices and ceremonial use. The Dreaming stories associated with the constellations are used to explain Aboriginal laws and to teach children about the morals associated with these stories.The stories are told through animation and interactives, providing a rich and unique perspective of our night sky.

Night viewings

Nightly sessions include a film, talk, exhibition visit and viewing through a state-of-theart 40 cm mirror telescope (an audiovisual show is presented if weather not suitable).

Cost: $10 adults, $5 children and concessions, $25 family.
Prepayment and bookings essential.

By the light of the southern stars

By the light of the southern stars blends the long tradition of Australian astronomy with the latest developments in this fascinating field. The exhibition ranges from the observations of the Transit of Venus by Captain Cook and later by the Observatory itself, to the work of other world-class Australian observatories. Learn about our solar system and find out about the time keeping, surveying, meteorological and astronomical work that was performed by the Observatory in days gone by.

Sponsored by Fujitsu General (Aust) Pty Limited.

Cadi Eora Birrung: Under the Sydney stars

Aboriginal people were Australia's first astronomers. This exhibition shows many constellations in the southern skies and explains how they were created from an Aboriginal perspective. It highlights how the stars were used for navigation by land and sea, for land and water management practices and ceremonial use. The Dreaming stories associated with the constellations are used to explain Aboriginal laws and to teach children about the morals associated with these stories. The stories are told through animation and interactives, providing a rich and unique perspective of our night sky.

OBSERVATORY DETAILS

Address: Watson Road, Observatory Hill, The Rocks
Telephone: 02 9217 0485
Infoline: 02 9217 0444
Internet: www.phm.gov.au
Hours: 10.00am to 5.00pm
(Closed Christmas Day)
Open nightly.
Bookings essential on 02 9217 0485
Admission: Daytime entry free.
Evening entry - $25 family, $10 adult,
$5 child/concession/student.