fbpx
Telescope

Neergabby Star Party Timetable of Events

The Gravity Discovery Centre & Observatory along with the Shire of Gingin presents the inaugural Gingin Dark Sky Star Party.

Program:

DayTimeSession Detail
Friday 27th May2pm-5pmCheck-in, park-up, set up camp and telescopes (Neergabby)
5pm-10pmFood truck on site at Neergabby
8pm-10pmPublic stargazing run by the GDC at Neergabby/Amateur astronomer observing and astrophotography (can continue past 10pm)
Saturday 28th May10am-4pmDaytime activities at the Gravity Discovery Centre (paid experience)

Activities include: Presentations by GDC astronomers and the WA space forum, tours of the Zadko Research Telescope, Solar observing, eco bushwalks.

5pm-10pmFood truck on site at Neergabby
7pm-8pmCultural story telling at Neergabby
8pm-10pmPublic stargazing run by the GDC at Neergabby/Amateur astronomer observing and astrophotography (can continue past 10pm)
Sunday 29th May10amCamping check out

Gingin Dark Sky Reserve Update April 2022

The Gravity Discovery Centre, together with DPLH, Shire of Gingin, City of Wanneroo, Main Roads, and Western Power and DBCA, has been working on the Gingin Dark Sky Reserve to help protect one of WA’s greatest assets, it’s awe inspiring dark skies.

This work has contributed to the WA Dark Sky Policy released early in 2022.

We currently have an application lodged with the International Dark Sky Association and are hoping to create the Dark Sky Reserve with the Gravity Discovery Centre and Observatory right at the core. We should know if we have been successful later on in 2022.

Altogether the Reserve will cover 3526 sq.km with the majority of the area in the Gingin Shire. Only one hour from the Perth CBD, if we are successful, stargazing will be easily accessible for the future. A Reserve will also protect animals, humans, and the bush from the effects of light pollution.

COVID UPDATE 2/7/2021

The Gravity Discovery Centre and Observatory will be closed until Tuesday the 6th July due to the COVID restrictions.

All going well, we will be open on Tuesday 6th July and we look forward to welcoming everyone back.

We will be post any updates on our social media. You can find us on Facebook, Gravity Discovery Centre and Observatory. Please continue to look after yourself and your loved ones and email us at bookings@gravitycentre.com.au or call us on 08 9575 7577 and leave a message, if you would like to contact the Gravity Discovery Centre and Observatory.

 

The How Ridiculous Meet The Fans Day!

One of Perth’s most famous YouTube groups, How Ridiculous, are doing a Meet and Greet at the Leaning Tower at the Gravity Discovery Centre and Observatory on Wednesday the 14th of April 2021. The YouTube group, who have over 4.5 million subscribers on their channel, are known for their trick shots and for performing stunts at the Gravity Discovery Centre.

There is a limited number of tickets and bookings need to be made on Eventbrite. Details are on the GDC Facebook/Events page.

Gates open at 10am and the event will run until 1.00pm. Entry is Free with an Eventbrite Ticket.

For more information contact us on 08 9574 7577 or email us at bookings@gravitycentre.com.au

Telescope

Koorda Starry Nights Weekend 23rd and 24th April 2021

The Gravity Discovery Centre & Observatory along with the Koorda Community presents a weekend of Starry Nights.

Proudly sponsored by Tourism WA

Program:

DayTimeSession Detail
Friday
Session 19.00 – 3.00Free presentation at Local School/ Solar Observing
Friday Night
Session 27.30 – 9.30Community Astronomy Night.
Saturday
Session 39.00 – 5.00Astro Photography Exhibition
Session 410.00 – 11.30General Astronomy Classes – Part One
Session 511.00 – 12.00Rocket Making (kids)
Session 612.00 – 2.00Solar Viewing
Session 71.00 – 2.30General Astronomy Classes – Part Two
Session 84.00 – 6.00Astroscape Photography Class
Session 94.00 – 6.00Tame your Telescope class
Saturday Night
Session 107.30 – 9.30Astroscape Practical Session
Session 117.30 – 9.30Local Aboriginal Astronomy Storytelling and Telescope viewing – Shaun Nannup
Session 127.30 – 9.30Tame your Telescope Practical Session

SEPTEMBER SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 2021

SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM RUNNING September 29th September – 8th October

Come along and have some fun at the Gravity Discovery Centre and Observatory these SEPTEMBER school holidays!

Observatory sessions will run on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and Sunday nights during April School Holidays

School Holiday program.

Wednesday: Rocket Making Workshop 11.00 Start and 1.30 pm Start

Thursday: Exploring Space 11.00 Start and 1.30 pm Start

Friday: Rocket Making Workshop 11.00 Start and 1.30 pm Start

GDC Observatory & AES Live Facebook Astronomy

Join Head Astronomer, Rick Tonello, for some really fun and interesting Astronomy. Every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday nights, at 8.00 pm, Rick is showing off the night sky from his back yard.

On Friday’s at 1.00 pm you can follow the solar viewing sessions.

All sessions are free and live streamed on Facebook. Join in the fun.

COVID LOCKDOWN UPDATE 23/4/2021

The Gravity Discovery Centre and Observatory will be closed until the 27th April due to the COVID lockdown.

All going well, we will be open on Tuesday 27th April and we look forward to welcoming everyone back.

We will be post any updates on our social media. You can find us on Facebook, Gravity Discovery Centre and Observatory. Please continue to look after yourself and your loved ones and email us at bookings@gravitycentre.com.au or call us on 08 9575 7577 and leave a message, if you would like to contact the Gravity Discovery Centre and Observatory.

 

 

GDC Awarded a Regional Economic Grant

We have some very, very exciting news!

The Gravity Discovery Centre has been awarded a $190,000 Regional Economic Grant to develop Indigenous style accomodation, called Mia Mias, on site at the GDC! The grant was announced by Alannah MacTiernan, Minister for Regional Development, Agriculture and Food.

There are seven Mia Mias planned and they will be laid out in the pattern of the Yogolarang (also known as the Pleiades or seven sisters). The accomodation has been designed in collaboration with Indigenous Elder, Dr Noel Nannup and will be able to house guests and school groups who visit the centre.

We’re very excited about this venture and can’t wait to embark on this journey.

International Dark Sky Week!

This year, March the 31st until April the 7th will be International Dark Sky Week! International Dark Sky Week aims to spread awareness about the damaging global effects of light pollution.

 

What is International Dark Sky Week and Why Does it Matter?

 

International Dark Sky Week is celebrated annually and was established in 2003 by high school student, Jennifer Barlow. The program aims to spread awareness about the importance of preserving dark skies, issues involved with light pollution around the globe, and to educate people on how to minimise it’s harmfulness.

“I want people to be able to see the wonder of the night sky without the effects of light pollution. The universe is our view into our past and our vision into the future. … I want to help preserve its wonder.” – Jennifer Barlow

 

What is Light Pollution?

Light pollution is the brightening of the night sky by excessive use of artificial lights, such as street lights, building lights and other man made technologies. The amount of outdoor light currently used is problematic because it’s overly bright, inadequately shielded and there’s often much more light than is actually required!

 

IDA Energy Waste
Image credit: IDA – https://www.darksky.org/dsw-resources/

There are a number of negative effects that light pollution is having, aside from the fact that we no longer get to see the beauty of the night sky. Research has revealed that light pollution is also having a negative impact on the health of humans and on wildlife. Some of these negative impacts include problems with breeding, sleep cycles and there are even strong links to an increased risk of breast and prostate cancer.

 

The Gingin Dark Sky Reserve

IDA Energy Waste
The Gravity Discovery Centre & Observatory has spectacular dark skies.

 

The Gravity Discovery Centre & Observatory is working together with the City of Wanneroo; Main Roads WA; the Shire of Gingin; and the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage to create a dark sky reserve at the Gravity Discovery Precinct (70km north of the Perth CBD). The dark sky reserve will include 2000KM squared of protected night sky within the Shire of Gingin. The central core is reserved for astronomy tourism, astronomy education, Aboriginal cultural heritage and astronomical scientific endeavour; while the rest of the reserve will serve as a buffer for the prevention of localised light pollution.

We hope to protect our local wildlife; the many scientific endeavours undertaken in our precinct; and to ensure that future generations will get to experience the wonders of the night sky.

.

 

How Can You Help?

IDA it starts with you graphic
Image credit: IDA – https://www.darksky.org/dsw-resources/

 

Unlike many other threats facing our planet, light pollution can be reversed! According to the International Dark Sky Association, here are some things that you can do to help!

 

 

  • Minimise the light you use around your home. Shield your outdoor lighting or angle it downwards and only use light when you need it for the task at hand.

 

 

 

  • Host a star party or attend one! Lots of astronomy clubs are holding public events for International Dark Sky Week (our astronomers at the Gravity Discovery Centre will be talking about Dark Sky Week at our regularly scheduled observatory nights!).

 

 

 

  • Help to educate your friends, family and community about the effects of light pollution. Help them think of ways they can reduce light usage in their homes!

 

 

 

  • You can become a ‘Citizen Scientist with GLOBE at Night or the Dark Sky Rangers. Through this you can contribute to a global database of light pollution measurements by documenting the light pollution in your area and sharing the results!

 

 

 

 

International Dark Sky Week 2019