Astronomy night

ELTHAM College invites our community to explore the night sky with our state-of-the-art telescopes and engage with experts in the field of astronomy on Thursday 30th of April 2026.

This event is designed to provide an immersive experience for all attendees, whether you are a seasoned astronomy enthusiast or simply curious about the cosmos.

Throughout the evening, there will be guest speakers, the opportunity to see objects in our night sky through telescopes and take and colourise pictures using the ELTHAM Observatory. 

What will the night involve?

6.45 - 7.00pm: Harold Mitchell Performing Arts Centre - Welcome nibbles

7.00 - 7.30 pm: Harold Mitchell Performing Arts Centre- Presentations

• Introduction to Eltham College telescopes and NextAstro

• Guest Speaker

• Arrive 6.45 for 7pm start

7.30- 9.00 pm - Using the telescopes

• Soccer Oval- Guided observation of night sky using traditional telescopes (weather dependent)

• Classroom S10- Guided tutorial on use of robotic telescopes using NextAstro (any weather)

What to bring?

• A device (laptop recommended) you can use to access the NextAstro website and program the robotic telescopes

• Warm clothes (star gazing is often colder than you think)

• Picnic (we will provide something light but you might prefer to eat beforehand or bring a picnic to enjoy on the oval as we gaze at the stars)

Please note that all children are required to have a parent or guardian in attendance for the duration of the event.