Friends of Paddock Creek is inviting the community to get a taste of the vastness of space and learn about what celestial bodies are viewable from our own backyard through a series of stargazing events.
Friends of Paddock Creek’s Darren Bellingham works with the Ballarat Astronomical Society, Victorian Astronomical Society, and said his interest in astronomy grew from watching the moon landing when he was in primary school.
“The Study of the heavens was one of the earliest ways humans have tried to understand the world around them,” he said.
“We still spend billions of dollars every year continuing to find out more about space and the universe and its physical processes and that means we are still discovering new and amazing things all the time.
“This makes Astronomy a constantly evolving, fascinating hobby or profession to be involved in and it’s something you can do for a few hundred dollars in your own backyard.”
The Friends of Paddock Creek are hosting a series of stargazing sessions for the community at Paddock Creek Reserve, beginning on March 16.
The events involve setting up large astronomical telescopes, the groups first uses there eyes and then telescopes to view objects such as the Moon, planets, stars and constellations, star clusters, nebulae, and Galaxies. The group then discusses these features from scientific, cultural and mythological perspectives.
“We hope to educate and inform participants in the shows about the night sky,” he said.
“I have done this kind of work since the mid 1990s but only for a couple of years in Gordon. Highlights have included viewing Solar and lunar eclipses, two transits of Venus and viewing planets when they are closer to Earth.”
Details: www.moorabool.vic.gov.au/Events/Star-gazing-in-Paddock-Creek-Reserve
