One of the best star shows in Western Australia is just a few weeks away. Saturday August 20 will mark the Murchison Astrofest or Astronomy Festival at the Murchison Settlement.
Anyone
interested in astronomy is invited to attend the inaugural Murchison Astrofest 2011 which kicks off at 11.00am. The afternoon talks will cover CSIRO’s Australian SKA Pathfinder and the international Square Kilometre Array project. Also, presenting at the Murchison Astrofest is Ken Lawson from the Geraldton Astronomy Group , who will be speaking about Astrophotography for Beginners. Astronomy movies from CSIRO’s Scinema (Festival of Science Film) will also be screened during the day and night.Displays include Crosslands Resources, as well as an art exhibition by local artists including the Mullewa Aboriginal Ladies Art Group. While at the Settlement don’t forget to visit the Murchison Museum which has many interesting local history artefacts and photographs on display. There is opportunity for bush foods tasting and for the adventurous, come sample astronaut icecream! Night sky viewing will get under way after a sumptuous Astro-Feast prepared by well known Geraldton Chef Terry Taylor and the Murchison Roadhouse staff.
In the evening, join Rob Hollow (CSIRO Astronomy & Space Science) for a celestial tour. He will interpret the celestial aspects of the Murchison night skies – to the haunting sounds of the didgeridoo.
Thanks to the Geraldton Astronomy Group there will be telescopes available for public viewing of the universe after the presentations. You can also bring your own telescope for some expert advice and assistance.
Bring your swag and camp under the stars and you too will understand why the CSIRO and other international astronomers are star struck by the Murchison.
… and don’t forget to take a break from star viewing and sit by the Astro-fire pit with your acoustic guitar and jam with the didgeridoo players.
According to Bridget Seaman, ‘ … for those who enjoy their wildflowers, we should have a
fantastic wildflower season, so enjoy your drive out to the Murchison whilst attending the Murchison Astronomy Festival’.
Booking is essential, so please register your interests in attending the Murchison Astronomy Festival by contacting Bridget Seaman (08) 9963-7985 or Priscilla Clayton (CSIO Astronomy & Space Science) on (08) 99568-550 or Priscilla.Clayton@csiro.au
Background:
The Murchison Shire is often referred to as the “Shire with no Town” this is because no gazetted townsite exists within the Shire and it is believed to be the only Shire in Australia where this exists. The Shire is also home to the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory (MRO) where the Australian SKA Pathfinder(ASKAP) is located. The MRO is also the Australia – New Zealand candidate core site for the future $2.5bn Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope project.
The Murchison Shire in partnership with CSIRO Astronomy and Space Science presents the inaugural Murchison Astrofest 2011. For more information or to be a part of Astrofest 2011, contact:
Bridget Seaman – Murgoo Station Murchison
(08) 9963-7985 or murgoostation@westnet.com.au
Priscilla Clayton – CSIRO Astronomy & Space Science – Geraldton Office
(08) 99568-550 or Priscilla.Clayton@csiro.au
