Once again Perth’s annual astronomy festival ‘Astrofest’ delighted the public with views of the night sky, interesting talks and astronomy awesomeness all evening. Approximately 5,000 people joined in on the 12th of March to celebrate all things space and astronomy.
Held at Curtin Stadium and Edinburgh Oval, Astrofest brings together the WA astronomy community for a night celebrating our night sky and the research going on in the State.
The Square Kilometre Array is a great feature of the evening, as well as its precursors the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) and CSIRO’s ASKAP.
Astrofest also featured some great talks. Stuart Andrew brought along his ‘pocket satellite’ the Ozqube-1 that he’s built in his back shed and will launch into space! Dr Jon Paxman from Fireballs in the Sky and the Desert Fireball Network had the audience on their edge of their seats with his tales of searching for meteorites that are freshly fallen in South Australia and Dr Ray Norris shared with us the wonders of Australia’s Indigenous People’s astronomy knowledge.
The stunning astrophotography exhibition was on show again with over 30 images from local WA astrophotographers on show. The exhibition will head out again later this year and be on show in Geraldton in August/September.
Astrofest will return in 2017, stay tuned for the date announced by early July.
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- Observing the sky at Astrofest 2016.
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- Even the youngest of visitors enjoyed the telescopes.
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- The MWA display was popular with visitors.
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- The Star Wars characters from the 501st and Rebel Legion were raising money for the Starlight Foundation – almost $600 all up was donated!
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- Learning about the night sky at Astrofest.
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- The SKA precursors put on a good show.
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- Observing the stadium before the Sun sets.
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- Lego space shuttles drew a crowd.
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- Make your own Lego SKA antenna!
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- Lego SKA was a great part of the evening.
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- Star Wars characters were happy to pose with young and old.
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- Observing the sky at Astrofest 2016.
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- Speakers at Astrofest sharing their love of space and astronomy with audiences 1,000 people strong!
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- The SKA precursors at Astrofest 2016.
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- Astrophotos were a highlight of the event.
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- You can’t go past a fictional space fighter for scenery.
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- The Astronauts were 50% female, with a crowd of reporters ready to observe the launch!
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- Timelapse photography was a hit in the astrophoto exhibition.
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- Observing the sky at Astrofest 2016.
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- Speakers at Astrofest sharing their love of space and astronomy with audiences 1,000 people strong!
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- Water rockets launched with a pop!
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- Observing the sky at Astrofest 2016.
