Astro Events October 2011
October 14th-15th 2011.
Annual Science in the Pub
This entertaining event starts the weekend off on Friday October 14th, 2011 from 6.30pm. This annual debate is definitely entertaining and can be thoroughly outrageous at times as a group of astronomers from various backgrounds debate a topic of astronomical interest at the Royal Hotel, John Street Coonabarabran. This event has an entry fee of $5 and provides entry into the drawer for a variety of prizes on the night. Food is available for sale on the night. Bookings would be appreciated. Vegetarian meals are also available. The topic is “Life, The Universe and Everything – Is there Anybody out there?” This year’s participants are Professor Charley Lineweaver and Dr Daniel Bayliss (ANU), and Dr Simon O’Toole (AAO). Compere will be Sally Bryant from ABC Western Plains.
Siding Spring Open Day
On Saturday October 15th, the Annual Siding Spring Open Day will be held here at Siding Spring Observatory. A number of the telescopes will be open during the day to the public. There will be a BBQ lunch available; a shuttle bus on site to help you move around and see all there is to see. You will have the opportunity to talk to astronomers and learn about what science is carried out here. Solar observing will also be available and there will be talks in the Exploratory lecture theatre throughout the day. The Exploratory cafe will be opened for a well deserved cuppa or Devonshire tea and entry to the event is free. The Open Day will start at 10am and run until 4pm. Visit the various telescopes and listen to astronomers talk about the research they do.
Annual Bok Lecture
Saturday evening will culminate with the annual Bok lecture. This is a free lecture, held at the Coonabarabran Primary School in George Street, Coonabarabran. This year’s speaker is Professor Mike Bessell, a senior astronomer at the ANU Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics. Educated at the University of Tasmania then at Mt Stromlo Observatory where he was inspired to study after hearing a talk by Professor Bart Bok. He later worked at Yerkes Observatory in the USA, met Fred Hoyle the famous British astronomer and later returned to Stromlo as a researcher. He is internationally recognised for his work on photometry and his filter systems have become standard filters in use at most observatories throughout the world. He has had and still has a distinguished career in astronomy and astrophysics, having published over 200 papers in international journals. This night is open to everyone and is free. The event starts at 7pm.
For more information on all these events or to make a booking please contact Donna Burton at Siding Spring Observatory on 02 6842 6255 or by email donna@mso.anu.edu.au.