SSO News
Published in the RSAA Lunations
Vol1 Issue9 1–31 October 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has meant that perennial StarFest events such as Open Day and Science in the Pub could not be run as they had been run in past years. Open Day at SSO usually attracts around 2,000 people, and Science in the Pub attracts around a couple of hundred.
Instead, we organised a number of online events. While some of the events are still running, and the number of people attending, viewing, or participating in the events is still growing, StarFest 2020 has been a great success.
The first event to kick of StarFest 2020 was the StarFest Goose Chase. A goose chase is gigantic scavenger hunt. It started on September 18 and will end on October 11. As of 30 September, there were 50 teams competing with almost 200 missions completed. It can be played whether you are in COVID Lockdown or visiting Coonabarabran and the Warrumbungle Dark Sky Park.
On October 2nd, we held an online version of Science in the Pub. Our panellists included Kirsten Banks (UNSW), Fred Watson (DISER) and Abigail Fraeman (NASA/JPL). With Matt Dodds presiding as MC, the panellists discussed their work and answered questions from an online audience of about 100 people. Fred also sang and played the guitar, twice. Lasting two hours, this year’s event had a distinctive Martian theme, which is rather apt given how bright Mars is at the moment. We’ve received warm reviews for both the goose chase and Science in the Pub. Here is one example.
“This whole experience has been amazing! We have laughed, learned, created, experimented, written songs, played instruments, observed the moon, studied stars, joined the library, and used our imaginations. Science in the pub was a highlight as my 8yr old daughter had the opportunity to communicate live with amazing real-life scientists, in particular Abigail Fraeman at NASA who drives the Mars rovers! (my daughter is obsessed with Mars). She now has a new idol, and it’s not another popstar. This is one of those moments in education where we get to make a difference, to ignite a child’s interest and curiosity, and hopefully light a path to possible futures for them. She has been truly inspired tonight, and by this whole process so far. Well done to all involved! Thank you.“
But, it does not end there. On October 3rd, we released three virtual tours of SSO. Filmed by Steve Chapman and narrated by Brad Tucker, the videos had a thousand views within a few hours of release.
On the same day, Angel Lopez-Sanchez (MQ) and Christian Sasse (iTelescope) gave online tutorials on how to take great pictures of the night sky. Over 100 people attended each tutorial.
None of this would have been possible without the hard work of RSAA and SSO staff. In particular I want to thank Zoe and Steve from SSO, Brad and Brittany from RSAA, Vivian Evans from Dark Sky Innovations and Donna Burton from the Coonabarabran Chamber of Commerce. I also want to thank our fantastic panellists, Matt Dodds, Angel, and Christian for participating and making these events a success.
Chris Lidman
SSO Director
