Category Archives: Uncategorized

Congratulations to Nick Lomb

Well deserved award to our friend Nick Lomb for his jointly shared 2012 Museums and Galleries NSW individual achievement award recognising Nick’s work as curator of astronomy, horology, meteorology and surveying for Sydney Observatory and the Powerhouse Museum over a … Continue reading

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Brisbane Planetarium Dome Progress

The 36 support ribs have now been installed in the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium’s Cosmic Skydome. Commencing next week, 109 aluminium panels will be installed on the ribs to form the new Astro-Tec 12.5-metre diameter dome replacing the 35-year-old Zeiss … Continue reading

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New Dome Arrives in Brisbane

Several tonnes of components for the new custom-made, 12.5-metre diameter projection dome for the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium arrived today from Astro-Tec in Ohio, USA. Assembly began this afternoon. During March, the Cosmic Skydome will be outfitted and new displays … Continue reading

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Observing the rock 2012 DA14 flying past the Earth on 16 February 2013

The path of asteroid 2012 DA14 across the south-west sky as seen from Sydney on the morning of Saturday 16 February 2013. The times indicated are in AEDT while the positions with relation to the horizon are calculated for 5:00 … Continue reading

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APS 2013 Meeting Change

As work continues at the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium on a major three-month upgrade to many parts of the facility, we have found that we need to re-schedule the APS 2013 Meeting from late March to Monday/Tuesday, 22/23 April 2013. … Continue reading

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The Sky Above the First Fleet

On this Australia Day, think back to the night of Saturday, 26 January 1788. It is recorded that it was clear weather. The sky above the First Fleet at Sydney Cove would have included two bright planets – Jupiter in … Continue reading

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Wambelong Fire (Coonabarabran)

Like me, I’m sure many of you have also been following the fire that went through Siding Spring Observatory and surrounds. It was particularly tough knowing it was almost 10 years ago to the day, that fires destroyed the Mt … Continue reading

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State of the Dome

Here are a couple of images from yesterday afternoon showing the state of the Brisbane Planetarium’s Cosmic Skydome a week after closing for major upgrades. All of the seats and floor carpet have gone, along with the console, 12.5m diameter … Continue reading

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Cosmic Skydome Disassembly Underway

Two hectic days into the Brisbane Planetarium’s shutdown for upgrading the facility, the Cosmic Skydome has been stripped of projectors, LED lighting units, console, much of the cabling, seats and carpet. Displays in the foyer and gallery have been largely … Continue reading

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Recent Brisbane Planetarium News

Apart from being busy preparing for the biggest upgrade since the opening of the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium in 1978, Planetarium staff members were involved for the first time in the Brisbane International Film Festival during late November on a … Continue reading

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