SSO News

Published in the RSAA Lunations
Vol1 Issue51 1–31 May 2024

AAT 50th Anniversary Symposium
This year is a special year for SSO, as it is for MSO - MSO turns 100 this year, the AAT turns 50.
 
50 years ago, on October 16, 1974, King Charles III officially opened the AAT. Since that time the AAT has helped launch the careers of dozens of astronomers both here in Australia and overseas.
 
To celebrate the event, ANU is organising a 50th Anniversary Symposium, which will occur over three days from October 02 to October 04, just before Starfest. People can register via the Symposium web site - AAT 50th Symposium
 
Pictured are the AAT 50th Anniversary logos, which were designed by Kait Britton. Kait has done a great job!
 
The LOC, led by Zoe Holcombe, is now busily preparing for the event.
 
Starfest
Starfest will be held immediately after the symposium.  The response we got from RSAA for volunteers was outstanding. Thank you to everyone who volunteered. We cannot run the event without your help.
 
Cate Pickering and Sindu Nair have very kindly agreed to organise travel and accommodation. Please let them know if you want travel and accommodation organised for you or if you plan to organise it yourself. If you plan to organise it yourself, then do it early, as accommodation may be hard to find soon.
 
The new playground at SSO
 
Last year, SSO received funds to upgrade the exhibits at the Exploratory and add a new observing deck and children's playground near the Exploratory.
 
The children's playground has now been installed and is being used by kids and kangaroos.
 
The kangaroos were so excited with the playground, they knocked over part of a fence, as can be seen in the photo below.
 
Work on the upgrades is being coordinated by Alexandra (Sasha) Popko with help from Zoe Holcombe and Marty Gordon at SSO.
 
Content for the Exploratory is being prepared by staff and students at RSAA.  Look out for a sneak preview in future editions of Lunations.
 
Chris Lidman, on behalf of the staff at SSO.