Description

Open Saturdays 10am to 1pm & Thursday Nights from 5pm for Telescope Viewing. Opposite the Botanical Gardens, the new Tamworth 'Astronomy and Science Centre' is a multiple function centre, catering for day visits by regional & International tourists, locals and regional school visits with extensive displays of astronomical and science related displays & equipment, engineering, minerals, megafauna, meteorites etc. There is a large gallery display of astronomical images from a recent Australia wide competition. The centre houses 3 large Astronomical Observatories with viewing windows for day visitors to observe the equipment that is put into action for night observations. (Check dates/times) The adjoining large Roll-of- Roof observatory houses several large telescopes, including one of the largest privately-owned telescopes in Australia. The 6.7 metre domed observatory has a dual function as a planetarium theatre for simulated night sky views and audio-visual presentations, (particularly for school groups) and converting to a fully functional telescope dome observatory as required for viewing the cosmos with its large telescope. The complex includes a purpose-built, split-roof observatory for the historic Hewitt Camera, one of only two built by the British military in the 1960's for 5.5 million pounds to track missiles and satellites and later used for astronomical research at Siding Spring Observatory. The Hewitt Camera has been upgraded by the club to digital photographic capabilities, feeding live colour images of deep-sky astronomical objects to the observatory's screen or the auditorium's projection screen. Radio astronomy dishes and equipment are also currently being installed at the complex. Extensive outdoor spaces & large auditorium enable the facility to host major public astronomy events, catering for over 250 people. Operated by the Tamworth Regional Astronomy Club Inc with approx 200 active members.