Hands-On Astronomy

Have you ever looked at the night sky and wondered what’s up there? Or maybe you’ve seen images from Hubble or the James Webb Space Telescope and wondered what you were looking at? In this hands-on session, learn how to operate a telescope and then take the reins yourself to traverse the night sky of the Sunshine Coast International Dark Sky Reserve. With a maximum group size of 4 astro-enthusiasts, this interactive experience lets you work closely with an astronomer. Learn astrophysics 101 (no maths involved, we promise!) and the basics of astrophotography with no prior experience necessary. Digital copies of images you take on the night are included. If you’ve ever been interested in astronomy and want a gentle starting point, this session is made for you.

Duration: ~2 hours

Experience Includes:

• Hands-on, small group size of 2-4

• You run the telescope alongside astronomer-led explanations of your chosen targets

• Content tailored to any experience level

• Learn about different types of telescopes and how they operate

• Astrophysics 101 - learn how our universe works through the eyes of a telescope, with no maths!

• Astrophotography 101 - learn about amateur and scientific imaging while taking your own photos of celestial objects

• Digital copies of your photos supplied to you the following day

• Enjoy a selection of local coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and treats

• Special take-home gift included