Corona virus information



This is a changing situation day by day with advice from the government changing. What is below may change in the coming days and weeks.


We can only do private viewings now, 1 on 1.

Therefore we can only do the astroexclusive session or astrophotography session on site. This is $90 per person.


We can do an online session for you where you can connect to our observatory computer. We can give you the astronomy presentation and you can view the objects live through our telescope during the session.

If you are interested in that contact Peter on 0488 425 940 or email me on peter@dubboobservatory.com and we can arrange.


Once the coronavirus crisis passes we can revert back to our advertised tours and pricing.



Program



The Night Sky & Telescope Tour includes

An Astronomy Presentation (now to be verbal outdoors)

Point out the Stars, Planets, and Constellations with a laser

Look through up to 6 telescopes at the stars, planets, nebulae, and galaxies.

Answer your astronomy questions.

Take one photo with your DSLR Camera of a colourful Nebula. Compatible Cameras are listed below.

This session can hold numbers between 1 and 10 people. If you prefer a private tour for yourself or with your partner or family, please consider booking the AstroExclusive Tour.

Duration is 75 minutes + 15 minutes for astrophotography

This is mainly an outdoors tour so please dress appropriately for weather conditions.




astronomy Presentation





The astronomy presentation is in our theatrette and goes for approx. 20 mins.

We teach you some basic astronomy, help explain the objects you will see through the telescopes, and show you some images we have photographed through our telescopes of the objects you will see.


This will be done verbally outside now until further notice



Point out the Stars & planets





We point out the stars, planets, constellations, and other objects that are visible in the sky.


We show you how to navigate, tell the time, and date using the stars.




Telescope Viewing





We have up to 6 telescopes to view through, the number depending on how many guests there are.


We observe approx. 12 different objects. We will show any planets that are visible, star clusters, binary stars, nebulae, and galaxies. On nights around Full Moon, galaxies and nebulae are usually not visible. The objects we plan to show are from the list below for the current month.


We will explain what you are looking at and answer your questions.




Take an Astrophotograph with your DSLR Camera





If you own and bring your DSLR camera, we can take a single photo of a colourful nebula through the main telescope. On nights around full moon, nebulae don't photograph well so we take a photo of the Moon.


We use the camera body only and attach our T-ring and T-adapter which will then fit onto the main telescope.


One photo is taken per camera.

Extra photos can be taken if time permits at $10 per photo or consider either the astrophotography tour (12 photos) or Astroexclusive tour (4 photos)


Compatible Cameras

Canon EOS series DSLR e.g. 80D, 800D, 5D , 1000D etc

Nikon D series DSLR

Pentax K DSLR

Sony alpha E mount (ensure it can take a photo without the lens attached)


Other brands, models, mirrorless cameras may work but I cannot guarantee they are compatible as I may not have the correct T-ring.


We sell photos of the objects I have taken in our gift shop if you don't have a camera.


Please know how to operate your camera, I know some cameras but not all. ISO, exposure time, and setting to manual or bulb setting is required to be known.



Times and Dates





January 9:00pm

February 8:30pm

March 8:00pm

April: 7:00pm

May : 7:00pm​

July: 7:00pm

August 7:00pm

September 7:00pm

October 8:00pm

November 8:30pm

December 9:00pm


Show goes for 75 minutes

+ 15 mins for a photo with your DSLR Camera


Note that start times can vary on certain nights but time confirmed upon booking.



Prices





123Tix Booking agency Ticket Prices are discounted


Adults ..........................................$26


Seniors Card Holders ..............$24

(Present Seniors Card on arrival)

Australian State Seniors Cards acceptable


Children 4 - 16yrs ......................$12

(Children must be accompanied by a paying adult.)


Children 1 - 3yrs .......................Not permitted until further notice



Extra Photos with your DSLR Camera if time permits.....$10 per photo


10% surcharge applies on Sundays

15% surcharge applies on public holidays


A booking fee may apply to tickets purchased online through 123Tix


Online tickets are available up to an hour before start time unless sold out.


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Prices at the Door

Adults $30

Seniors Card Holders $27

Children $15


10% surcharge applies on Sundays

​15% surcharge applies on public holidays

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Great Big Adventure Pass ticket holders receive a 10% discount for this tour when they present their pass when purchasing the night tour at the door.

This discount is available on all nights excluding school holidays (NSW. QLD, Vic) and long weekends (NSW).

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Enquiries


Call Peter on 0488 425 940

Email: peter@dubboobservatory.com



tickets





123 Tix booking agency


Tickets purchased through 123Tix are discounted.


Online at http://www.123tix.com.au/events/dubboobservatory


Phone 6881 8632 between 9am - 5pm Mon - Fri excluding Public Holidays A booking fee may apply through 123tix.

Request tickets for Dubbo Observatory as they sell tickets for a number of different attractions and events.


Booking fees may apply


Full refund given if the show is cancelled or customer cancels with 24hrs notice.

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At the Observatory


Any unsold tickets can be purchased 15 minutes before start time using cash or card.


Let us know by text if you are coming so we have the right amount of telescopes setup and that we are actually open, and can give you the start time which can vary on some nights


Note the show is usually sold out in advance in school holidays and long weekends.




Changes, cancellations, refunds of 123tix tickets





Customer Cancels with 24 hours notice

A refund is given if more than 24 hours notice of cancellation is given by the customer. A full refund is given if your ticket is purchased through 123 tix.


Customer cancels with less than 24 hours notice or does not arrive.

No refund is given


Changing the date on your ticket

123Tix Tickets can be changed to a different night in the future if 24 hours notice is given and can only be done by calling 123Tix on 6881 8632 during their business hours and they can issue a new ticket.


Changing numbers after you have purchased tickets

123Tix Tickets: We cannot change the number of people on your booking if you have purchased a 123Tix ticket as it has been paid for in 1 transaction. We can only refund the whole amount and you will need to rebook. 24 hours notice is required to obtain a refund.


Show Cancellation

The show is cancelled in the event of rain or it is completely overcast and it appears not to clear during the show. We can do the presentation for you if you prefer to stay.


123Tix tickets:

The ticket is refunded before start time

or Alternatively the ticket can be transferred to a different night in the next 12 months if there is availability for that session and is of equal value. The transferred ticket cannot be refunded in the future but can be transferred to another future session.


If your travel time is considerable, best to call us to ensure the show is going ahead.



Wheelchair access





There is wheelchair access to the main building, a disabled toilet, the theatrette, and to the outside viewing platform where the outside telescopes are.
There is no wheelchair access to the observatory where the main 17"telescope is.
There is wheelchair access to the presentation and pointing out the stars and planets in the night sky with the laser pointer at the outside viewing platform.
There is an issue with looking through telescopes for customers confined to a wheel chair unless they can stand up briefly. The reason is
The height above ground level of the eyepiece of the telescope varies depending on how high above the horizon the star to view is located, If the star is overhead the eyepiece is at its lowest point and is more accessible. If the star is lower in the sky the eyepiece is much higher.. So it depends on how high the disabled customers eye is up from the ground and would be too low to view most objects through a telescope.
An alternative would be to hire a pair of our binoculars for that part of the tour.


Carers Card





Carers card is accepted and entry is at the Seniors Card Rate



Objects visible for march





Session 1



We plan to show you at least 12 objects from the following list.

What we show will depend on the location of the Moon which can hinder the visibility of galaxies and nebulae


Planets: Venus


Moon: First Qtr 2nd, Full 8th, New Moon 24th

Visible for night show 1st - 12th, 29th- 31st

Comets: nil


Nebulae: Orion Nebula, Tarantula Nebula, Eta Carina Nebula


Globular Clusters: 47 Tucanae, Omega Centauri


Open Clusters: Pleaides (7 sisters), Jewel Box, Southern Beehive Cluster, Southern Pleiades, Pincushion Cluster, Little Beehive Cluster, NGC 2362, Octopus Cluster


Binary Stars: 145 CMa, Rigel, Beta Tucanae, Castor, Acrux


Galaxies: Sombrero Galaxy, Centaurus A, Large Magellanic Cloud, Small Magellanic Cloud


Supernova Remnants: nil


Planetary Nebulae: Ghost of Jupiter


Constellations: Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Orion, Lepus, Canis Major, Canis Minor, Eridanus, Columba, Crux



Asterisms: Diamond Cross, False Cross, Southern Cross, Saucepan, Pointers, 7 Sisters/ Subaru


Astrophotograph with your Canon or Nikon DSLR camera: Orion Nebula



Dubbo Observatory






17L Camp Rd, Dubbo, NSW, 2830


Peter@dubboobservatory.com
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Enquiries: 0488 425 940
Email: peter@dubboobservatory.com

Bookings: www.123tix.com.au/events/dubboobservatory



17L Camp Rd, Dubbo, 2830