Program



The Night Sky & Telescope Tour includes

An Astronomy Presentation (now to be verbal outdoors during covid-19 restrictions)

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 28 people during the current corona virus restrictions. If you prefer a private tour for yourself or with your partner or family, please consider booking the AstroExclusive Tour.

We are not permitted to take group bookings of more than 10 people from any one person.

Duration is 60 minutes + 15 minutes for astrophotography if you have a camera or SD Card

This is 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 DSLRs and mirrorless that fit an EF type lens

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







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


Night Sky & Telescope

October


Tuesday to Thursday 8:30pm

Friday - Saturday..............8:30pm, 10pm


November 1 - 2...................closed

November 3- 4, ...............8:30pm

November 5 ......................8:45pm

November 6 - 7 ................8:30pm, 10pm

November 8th ..................closed

November 9 - 10...............8:30pm

November 11 .......................9:30pm

November 12

November 13 - 14 ..............8:30pm, 10pm

November 15 ...................... closed

November 16 ......................8:30pm

November 17 - 18 .............9:30pm

November 19 .....................8:45pm

November 20 - 21.............8:30pm, 10pm

November 22-27 ................Closed

November 28 - 31................8:30pm


December ............................9:00pm

Dates for 2021 not released as yet




Prices






As we are on reduced numbers that can attend due to covid-19 restrictions, prices are the same for all ages


Night Sky & Telescope Viewing Session

Monday to Saturday..........................$26 per person​


Sundays..................................................$30 per person


Public Holidays....................................$40 per person


Late Show...............................................$40 per person


one free picture taken with your compatible DSLR Camera. $10 per extra photo if time permits. (Consider our astrophotography hour tour for multiple photos)


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

Not Available until further notice due to corona virus.

​Only prepaid tickets permitted


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Great Big Adventure Pass

Not available during covid-19 restrictions​

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Enquiries


Call Peter on 0488 425 940

Email: peter@dubboobservatory.com



tickets






You must have a pre-purchased ticket to attend.


Note we are not permitted to take group bookings of more than 10 people from any one individual



To purchase a ticket:


​Select bookings in the menu



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Note this is entirely an outdoor activity. It can get very cold in winter. You will need to bring as many warm clothes as possible. We are not permitted to operate indoors at present with the corona virus restrictions


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Changes, cancellations, refunds





Customer Cancels with 72 hours notice (3 days)

A refund is given if more than 72 hours notice of cancellation is given by the customer. You may lose your booking fee.



Customer cancels with less than 72 hours (3 days) notice or does not arrive.

No refund is given.


Changing the date or session on your ticket

72 hours notice is required to change the tickets to another session if there is availability. You may lose your booking fee.

Tickets purchased from 123tix cannot be changed


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Changing numbers after you have purchased tickets



72 hours notice is required to change the number of people in your group. You may lose your booking fee.​


​123tix tickets cannot be changed


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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.


A refund is given. To claim your refund please reply email me your booking details and bank details. Do not send a text.

​

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 october





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


The following is for session 1 only


Darkest Nights 6th to the 22nd


Planets: Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune


Asteroids: Ceres


Moon:

Full Moon 1st and 31st,

New Moon 19th,

First Qtr 23rd

Visible for night show 1st - 7th,

1st - 3rd and 19th to 31st


Comets: (moonless nights) nil


Nebulae: Swan nebula, Lagoon Nebula, Tarantula Nebula (except on the nights around full moon)


Globular Clusters: Omega Centauri, 47 Tucanae (except on nights around full moon)


Open Clusters: Jewel Box, Butterfly Cluster, Ptolemys Cluster


Binary Stars: Alpha Centauri, Albireo


Galaxies: (Moonless nights) Magellanic Clouds, Silvercoin Galaxy.


Supernova Remnants: nil


Planetary Nebulae: Ring Nebula


Constellations: Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, Crux, Corona Australis, Grus, Delphinus, Cygnus, Pegasus.



Asterisms: Diamond Cross, Southern Cross, Pointers, Hook, Southern Triangle, teapot, Coathanger


Astrophotograph with your compatible DSLR camera: Lagoon Nebula or the Moon



Session 1



Corona virus restrictions information



The Show is restricted to outdoors with a limit of 25 people regardless of age including babies/ toddlers.



You must have a prepurchased ticket to attend with your name on it.

This applies to every person regardless of age including babies and toddlers.

If you bring an extra person regardless of age we have no option but to turn that person away.


In order to be viable there is a flat charge per person regardless of age.


We must keep the name and contact details of each person onsite. Please provide every person's ma,e when purchasing your tickets.


In order to keep everyone safe please:


Do not come if

Have tested positive for covid-19

You are feeling unwell or have any covid 19 symptoms.

You are supposed to be in quarantine

You are waiting for your corona virus test results

​ You are from or recently visited a known corona virus hotspot.

You have visited Victoria in the last 14 days.

You have visited a NSW / Vic border community area in the last 14 days​


You are not prepared to follow the following safety precautions



You must wash or sanitise your hands on arrival. Please use as often as needed through the evening.


If you do need to sneeze or cough, please do so into your elbow


Social distancing of 1.5m is to be followed at all times.


If you are bringing children, they must stay with you at all times and not run around breaking the 1.5m rule.


Extremely important not to touch the eyepieces or telescopes though of course you can look through them


Not essential but we would appreciate if you wear a mask..






Dubbo Observatory






17L Camp Rd, Dubbo, NSW, 2830


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