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Michael Maher. Astronomer has been involved in astronomy for 25 years and was a founding member of the Wagga Astronomical Society.
Michael worked as the Resident Astronomer for the Ayers Rock Resort in the Northern Territory from 1992 to 1996. Ayers Rock Observatory provided astronomy services to visitors to Ayers Rock and the vast Central Australian dark skies. |
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Rana Lawn. BSC.DIP.ED.SYD. Rana is the Science Co-ordinator at Mt Erin High School Wagga Wagga and is in charge of the Mt Erin open deck Observatory and the school observing program.
Rana also worked part time at the Ayers Rock Observatory from 1992 to 1996. |
News
Proposed Community Observatory
Michael Maher and Rana Lawn, working with Graeme White and John Jarman, are moving towards establishing a Community Observatory in Wagga Wagga.
Well, we have launched the Wagga Wagga Observatory Project.
Everyone in Wagga and surrounding areas is now aware the project is underway.
In typical form, it was cloudy and almost rained for the night but that will never concern astronomers.
The support of the many businesses, the city council and the general community for the development of a Community observatory has been fantastic.
Please don't hesitate to contact Michael or Rana if you want to be involved.
Soon notice will be given to the interested people to plan the future of the project. We have to do some of the legal work and complete the lease of our site. We need to identify the funding options, the design, the staging - in fact the entire project.
Sponsors
We have been approached by groups and businesses who have offered very practical assistance including fundraising, design, construction and marketing. The people of Wagga Wagga and the Riverina have demonstrated their ability to just get on with it.
Wing Commander Dr Graeme Wren has indicated that he would love to be involved with this project in all sorts of practical ways. Graeme was an astronomer in a previous life, although once an astronomer always an astronomer.
Newsletter
We would love to kick off a newsletter soon to serve as a way of putting the project regularly into the mind of the community.
If someone would like to work on this or may have a few ideas or contributions I would love to hear from them - contact Michael.
Astronomy Nights
Remember if you have the time, no moon and no cloud - we can do a star night at short notice for any interested people. Most evenings I can be contacted on 0418 261 337.
Supporters
We are establishing a broad group of supporters to assist with the project. We can have a look around the sky, learn how to use the equipment and find their way around the stars.
We need people to be trained up for the 'Fee For Service' Astronomy that is very popular and a great contribution to the observatory project.
The 24" telescope is currently on display at the Wagga City Council. Sometime in May the telescope will be going into storage and possibly on display later in the year.
Visiting Equipment
From time to time Wagga Wagga Observatory plays host to visiting telescopes.
From August 2002 Wagga Wagga is proud to be home to a 17" Dobonian telescope.
Much thanks to Graeme White and John Jarman.