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Wednesday 8pm - 9:30pm Friday 7:30pm - 9:30pm

Port Macquarie Astronomical Observatory

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Port Macquarie Astronomical Observatory

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The Observatory was built in 1961/62 through the efforts of Albert York a retired master builder and architect.

Port Macquarie Observatory
Open Nights presentations & telescope viewing Wed, Fri & Sun 8pm-10pm Summer / 7.30pm-9.30pm Winter (plus Thursdays School holidays) www.pmobservatory.org.au
Welcome astronomy, science enthusiasts & new members! He intended building an observatory on the top of a building in Joffre Street but was opposed by a neighbour. The local council enquired into the matter and among those on the committee of enquiry were some Rotarians. They became interested in the idea of an observatory in Port Macquarie and Albert York was asked to address a meeting of the local Rotarians. As a result of the speech Dr. McLaren suggested that Albert York inspect a 5 inch telescope that was lying in disuse at the local Hastings District Public Hospital. The telescope was a gift from Bob Stanfield, a publican at Port Macquarie to be used for viewing ships at sea. The upgrade to an Astronomy Science Centre 2024 was jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments in association with the Port Macquarie Astronomical Association. For more information visit our website: https://www.pmobservatory.org.au

21/10/2026

Our Observatory Bago Dark Sky Night is now on 31 October 2026.
A few places have now become available. Book now: pmobservatory.org.au
Or https://www.trybooking.com/DPUEK

20/10/2026

19/10/2026

We have long had a seemingly simple question about neutrinos: how much do they weigh? Now, a gigantic experiment in China is poised to find out – and the answer could transform particle physics forever

18/10/2026

First Light Guides

17/10/2026

Ironman Australia Port 70.3 Pro Women Natalie Van Coevorden 4:16 today

17/10/2026

Ironman Australia Port Pro Men winner 70.3 (miles) Belgium's Jelle Geens 3:44 mins

16/10/2026

16/10/2026

Ever read a line like “𝑀𝑎𝑟𝑠 𝑖𝑠 𝑎𝑡 𝑚𝑎𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒 -𝟣.𝟤, 𝟤𝟧° 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑡ℎ‑𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑛 ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑧𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑡 𝟣𝟣 𝑝𝑚 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛” and felt like you needed a translator?

You’re not alone.

What that really means is: “𝑀𝑎𝑟𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑒 𝑏𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡, 𝑓𝑎𝑖𝑟𝑙𝑦 𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑡ℎ‑𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑎𝑡 𝟣𝟣 𝑝𝑚, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑏𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑜𝑏𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑜𝑤 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟.”

In the November issue of Astronomy Now, Stuart Atkinson strips the jargon back to plain English so you can go outside and use the terms immediately.

𝑌𝑜𝑢’𝑙𝑙 𝑑𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑑𝑒:
𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐭? Right ascension/declination, altitude/azimuth, zenith, meridian, angular size
𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐈 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐢𝐭? transit, opposition, conjunction, elongation, retrograde motion
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐈 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐞? apparent magnitude, limiting magnitude, phases, seeing, transparency, field of view

Order your copy (shop options in comments) and start enjoying the wonders of the night sky!

Address

Rotary Park, 1A Stewart St (PO Box 1453)
Port Macquarie, NSW
2444

Opening Hours

Wednesday	8pm - 9:30pm
Friday	7:30pm - 9:30pm

Website

https://pmobservatory.org.au/

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