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 25 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.

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






August 6:30pm

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.​


Wednesday 5th 6:30pm Available. Clear Skies going ahead


Thursday 6th 7:30pm Available Cloudy - maybe cancelled


Friday 7th 6:30pm Available Rain may be cancelled


Saturday 8th 6:30pm Available


Sunday 9th and Monday 10th closed


Tuesday 11th 6:30pm Available


12th through to 15th available


17th closed


18th through to 22nd available


23rd closed


24th onwards available



Prices






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


All ages are: ..........................................$26 per person

............................LATE SHOW...............$40 per person sessions after 11pm


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


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

Not Available until further notice due to corona virus.

​Only prepaid tickets permitted


10% surcharge applies on Sundays

​15% surcharge applies on public holidays

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Great Big Adventure Pass

Not available during covid-19 restrictions

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






You must have a pre-purhased ticket to attend.



To purchase a ticket:

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For bookings for a session within 48 hours


Tickets purchased through 123Tix ticketing agency

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


or call 123tix Mon-Fri -9am to 5pm 6881 8632


or the observatory on 0488 425 940

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For all other bookings


Email Peter Starr

peter@dubboobservatory.com


Provide your name,

date and

session you want to attend,

number of people attending

​The name of each person

contact phone number

email address



We will give you prepayment options


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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.


To request a refund contact Peter Starr

0488 425 940

or email peter@dubboobservatory.com

Do not contact 123tix


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

No refund is given unless we can resell your ticket


Changing the date or session on your ticket

Not available for 123Tix tickets


For other payment types 72 hours notice is required to change the tickets to another session if there is availability.

To request a change, contact Peter Starr on 0488 425 940 or email peter@dubboobservatory.com

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Changing numbers after you have purchased tickets

Not available with 123Tix tickets


​Not available for paypal purchases


For other payment types 72 hours notice is required to change the number of people in your group.

To request a change, contact Peter Starr on 0488 425 940 or email peter@dubboobservatory.com


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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.

​

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 august





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


The following is for session 1 only


Darkest Nights 6th to the 22nd


Planets: Jupiter and Saturn


Asteroids: nil


Moon: Full Moon 4th, New Moon 19th, First Qtr 26th

Visible for night show 1st - 7th, 22nd to 31st


Comets: (moonless nights) nil


Nebulae: Eta Carina Nebula , 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, Gem Cluster, Southern Pleiades, Pincushion Cluster.


Binary Stars: Alpha Centauri, Acrux, Albireo


Galaxies: (Moonless nights) Sombrero Galaxy, Centaurus A, Magellanic Clouds.


Supernova Remnants: nil


Planetary Nebulae: Ghost of Jupiter, Ring Nebula


Constellations: Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Crux, Corvus, Corona Australis, Corona Borealis, Grus



Asterisms: Diamond Cross, False Cross, Southern Cross, Pointers, Hook, Southern Triangle


Astrophotograph with your compatible DSLR camera: Eta Carina Nebula



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