Gingin Observatory

Gingin Observatory is situated just north of Perth, Western Australia, in the Shire of Gingin[1] on Military Road and is approximately 20 km west of the township of Gingin, 15 minutes' drive from Yanchep National Park. The Observatory can be accessed from Wanneroo Road which leads towards the small fishing town of Lancelin or from the Brand Highway traveling from Perth towards Geraldton. The Observatory is built on traditional land called the Wallingup Plains belonging to the Yued Aboriginal people from the Noongar Tribe and opened in 2001 when founding Astronomer, David Nicolson relocated his telescopes from the nearby Golden Grove Observatory in the Chittering region.

Gravity Discovery Centre

Situated on the same land, next door, is the Gravity Discovery Centre and the Australian International Gravitational Observatory (AIGO) [2] which is part of a worldwide gravitational wave telescope partnership between Australia, USA, Germany, India, France and China. AIGO is the only gravitational wave detector within the Southern Hemisphere. These three centres combine to make "one" educational centre, just one hour north of Western Australia's capital city.

Astronomy events

Gingin Observatory holds evening and daytime astronomy events which feature hands on telescope use, allowing plenty of time with local astronomers. The Observatory runs year round and feature special astronomical events throughout for general public, clubs, schools, local and international visitors. During an event at the Observatory, a theatre presentation takes the group on a virtual tour of the Universe, using a computer software program. During the year, the Observatory astronomers help instruct and educate people in using their own telescopes on a B.Y.O Telescope night.

Zadko Telescope

In 2009, during the International Year of Astronomy a new telescope was commissioned next to Gingin Observatory in the Zadko Dome. The Zadko Telescope was purchased by Mr Jim Zadko and is worth one million dollars. The robotic Zadko Telescope is part of international science research, involved in detecting gamma ray bursts. The telescopes primary objective is to photograph gamma ray bursts in the Universe and does this with two NASA satellites, the Swift and Glast.[3] These satellites can locate a gamma ray burst and communicate the co-ordinates to the telescope which then moves into position and starts taking images.[4] The Zadko Telescope can also be accessed remotely by professional astronomers and scientists.[5]

Gingin Observatory is a fully public observatory with no research attached to its own telescopes. However, the Observatory holds events that feature the Zadko Telescope which allow visitors a chance to go into the 'Zadko Dome' to see the telescope and educate them about research in astronomy and its importance.

Grants

Recently the Gingin Observatory and the Gravity Discovery Centre Foundation Inc. applied for and was successful in receiving two grants to develop concept plans and designs for an expansion and upgrade to the existing observatory building. These grants came from the Wheatbelt Development Commission's Royalties for Regions Wheatbelt Regional Grants Scheme (WRGS) and from the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism's TQUAL Grants program.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Gingin Shire. Gingin.wa.gov.au (2011-04-15). Retrieved on 2011-05-29.
  2. ↑ AIGO. Australian International Gravitational Observatory. Stage II. (PDF) . Retrieved on 2011-05-29.
  3. ↑ GLAST (Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope) SCIENCE WRITER’S GUIDE, April 2008
  4. ↑ Zadko Telescope | University News : University News : The University of Western Australia. News.uwa.edu.au. Retrieved on 2011-05-29.
  5. ↑ Zadko Telescope specifications : Zadko Telescope : The University of Western Australia. Zt.science.uwa.edu.au. Retrieved on 2011-05-29.
  6. ↑ for Regional

External links

Coordinates: 31°21′27″S 115°42′50″E / 31.3575°S 115.714°E