We are pleased to announce that our first Night Sky Explorer course for 2025 will be held at the UTAS Mount Pleasant Radio telescope Facility on the evenings of Thursday 17 and Friday 18 April, from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

Do you wonder about what is up there in our Tasmanian night sky? Do you want to see and find out about the many magnificent objects (such as star clusters, huge gas clouds, galaxies, and spectacular globular clusters) in the night sky, using telescopes and other equipment provided by experienced and knowledgeable observers? Then you are in for a treat…

The course is suitable for people of all ages, from children to adults.

You do not need to know anything about astronomy or telescopes or have any equipment; we provide everything.

We hope that by the end of our two-night program, you will walk away with a new love and admiration for the night sky and its countless treasures. Who knows – astronomy may become a lifelong interest whose rewarding discoveries can be shared by you with so many others who have experienced the breath-taking joy of looking at Jupiter, at Saturn with its stunning rings, and at the splendour of the Great Nebula in Orion, the huge Eta Carinae Nebula, or the mesmerising sphere of ten million stars that is Omega Centauri….

To provide you with the most enjoyable and memorable experience possible, the course is held at our AST home site at UTAS’ Mt Pleasant Radio Telescope facility, 90 Denholm’s Rd, Cambridge, (see the map below) where we have powered telescopes and telescope pads at the ready, as well as access to the Grote Reber Museum and Theatre. The site at Mt Pleasant is just an 18 to 20-minute drive from Hobart and provides the opportunity of observing under dark night sky conditions at a moment’s notice.

The total cost is just $50 per adult (there is no charge for children). Families are welcome. The course is presented over two nights (Thursday 17and Friday 18 April) from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm. The program will include several colourful and informative presentations, telescope displays and some thrilling night sky observation.

Are you one of the unlucky people who missed out on our Night Sky Explorer course last year? If so, now is the time to seize the day and enrol in this ever-popular course.

Be quick as enrolments fill quickly.