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Today, we celebrate the beating heart of the Perth Observatory, the people who give their time, passion, knowledge, humour, and energy to keep this place shining. Our volunteers are mentors, guides, storytellers, telescope whisperers, problem solvers, archivists, gardeners, creators, and quiet heroes behind the scenes.

Every night tour, every school group visit, every workshop, every photograph shared online, every piece of history preserved, and every smile on a visitor’s face is possible because of you.

You welcome people from all over the world, you inspire the next generation of stargazers, and you keep Western Australia’s oldest observatory alive, relevant, and loved.

From the domes to the museum, from the telescopes to the grounds, your impact is felt everywhere. You make a difference that stretches far beyond the hilltops and well into the night sky.

On behalf of everyone at the Perth Observatory,
✨ Thank you for everything you do
✨ Thank you for the passion you bring
✨ and thank you for helping people fall in love with the Universe

We are proud of you, grateful for you, and endlessly inspired by you.

Happy International Volunteers Day. 💙🌙

#Perth #WA #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #westernaustralia #perthgram #perthlife #perthhappenings #perthhills #IVD2025 #InternationalVolunteersDay #InternationalVolunteersDay2025 #IVY2026 #VolunteerYear #EveryContributionMatters #Volunteers #ThankYouVolunteers #VolunteerAppreciation #CommunitySpirit #WACommunity #AstronomyCommunity #SupportLocal #AstronomyOutreach #ScienceEducation #VolunteersMakeItHappen #ProudVolunteer #perthobservatory #perthobs

The International Space Station (@iss) will fly over extremely bright this Saturday at 8:22 pm (6th of Dec - Mag -3.7).

To use the attached maps, face south and hold the map above your head, and you'll see the path of the flyover.

Image Credit: Matt Woods (@matthewlwwoods)

#spotthestation #internationalspacestation #spacestation #iss #Perth #WA #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #westernaustralia #perthnow #perthgram #perthevents #perthlife #perthtodo #perthhappenings #ThisisWA #wanderoutyonder #perthhills #perthisok #perthlife #experienceperthhills #experienceperth #perthentertainment #seeperth #whatsoninperth #stargazing #nightsky #perthobservatory #perthobs

🌍✨ DEFENDING EARTH: A Night of Space, Science, and Big Questions! ✨🌍

Looking for a summer night out that’s exciting, educational, and perfect for the whole family? Join us under the stars for a special evening with Associate Professor David Coward, one of Australia’s leading experts in asteroid tracking and planetary defence!

👉 Book your tickets now using the Linktree link in our description

Saturday, 31 January – Perth Observatory
⏰ 8 pm start, doors open 5 pm
🎟 Adult $30 | Concession $25 | Child (5–17) $20

Kids and adults alike will love learning about:

☄️ How we find dangerous asteroids before they find us
🌠 What happened during the Chelyabinsk fireball
🔭 How telescopes in WA help protect Earth
🚀 The incredible discoveries made right here in Australia

Professor Coward has worked with NASA, tracked colliding neutron stars, hunted space debris, and even contributed to the first detection of gravitational waves. He’s the perfect guide through the exciting world of planetary protection!

🌿 Bring a blanket, warm clothes and enjoy the talk on our back lawn (weather permitting).
It’s a great way to spark curiosity, encourage young astronomers, and enjoy a relaxing night in the Perth Hills.

✨ Whether you’re a family of stargazers, a space enthusiast, or just love learning something new, this is a night you won’t want to miss.

Book your spots now and spend the evening exploring the science that keeps our planet safe!

Video credit: ds-films (https://bit.ly/4iHTqLK)
Music credit: Dark Ambient Soundscape Dreamscape by DELOSound (https://bit.ly/44MzvVQ)

#Perth #WA #westernaustralia #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #perthevents #perthlife #perthtodo #PerthHappenings #PerthWeekend #ThisisWA #FamilyFriendly #PerthEvents #AstronomyForKids #PlanetaryDefence #experienceperthhills #experienceperth #experiencewa #ThingsToDoInPerth #SeePerth #VisitWA #SummerEventsWA #FamilyFriendlyWA #perthentertainment #perthhills #WAEvents #perthobservatory #perthobs

🌕❄️ December’s Full “Cold” Supermoon Is Nearly Here! ❄️🌕

Get ready for the final full moon of the year, and it’s going out with a celestial bang, December’s Full “Cold” Supermoon!

Despite the name, it has nothing to do with the temperature (although summer nights in WA are chef’s kiss for moon-watching). The “Cold Moon” is a traditional name given by the Old Farmer's Almanac as Northern Hemisphere cultures mark the arrival of winter. Down here, it’s more of a Warm-Evening-Perfect-For-A-Look Moon, but we’ll roll with tradition.

🌕 Why is it a Supermoon?

Because the Moon will be a little closer to Earth in its orbit, it will appear slightly bigger and brighter in the sky. Not dramatically bigger, but just enough for your eyes and your camera to notice that extra glow.

✨ What to Look For:

• A brilliantly bright full Moon rising in the east from 7:57 pm
• Beautiful moonlit landscapes (great for photographers!)
• Enhanced lunar features, craters and maria pop beautifully during a Supermoon
• An excuse to step outside and enjoy our summer night skies

📸 Photo Tip:

Use a tripod, zoom in, and drop your exposure a little, the Moon is brighter than you think!

🗓️ When to See It:

The Cold Supermoon reaches fullness on Friday, December 5th at 7:14 am AWST, but it’ll look spectacular the night before and after too.

#Perth #WA #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #space #spacenews #astronomy #astronomynews #westernaustralia #perthlife #perthgram #perthhappenings #astrophotography #lunarphotography #moonphotography #astronomicalevent #beavermoon #coldmoon2025 #supermoon #supermoon2025 #DecemberSuperMoon #moon #fullmoon #luna #moonlovers #astrophoto #stargazing #perthobservatory #perthobs

Ready to capture Jupiter and Saturn in all their summer brilliance? Join us at Perth Observatory on Monday, January 6th, for a hands-on Photographing Gas Giants Workshop, perfect for astrophotographers looking to take their planetary imaging to the next level. You can book your spot using the Linktree link in our description.

Summer is planet season, and Jupiter and Saturn are putting on an absolute show. With access to our telescopes and expert guidance, you’ll learn how to photograph these gas giants like a pro. Over the course of the evening, we’ll rotate a small group of twelve participants across four telescopes, giving everyone plenty of time to experiment, try different setups, and exchange techniques. Each telescope is equipped with a camera adaptor so you can record raw footage directly to your own camera, which you’ll be able to take home for processing and sharing later.

Before we head out to the domes, we’ll start with a 30 to 45-minute theory session where you’ll learn about the equipment, software, and image-processing workflow, setting you up for success on the night. To get the most out of the workshop, you’ll need a good working knowledge of your camera and its settings, although we’ll guide you through the exact settings and techniques to use.

If you’ve ever wanted to capture crisp, detailed planetary images, this is your chance. Spots are limited, so don’t wait.

#Perth #WA #westernaustralia #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #perthevents #perthlife #perthtodo #ThisisWA #astrophotography #photography #experienceperthhills #experienceperth #experiencewa #perthentertainment #perthhills #perthisok #camera #workshops #education #training #learning #learn #courses #nightsky #Jupiter #Saturn #perthobservatory #perthobs

Give a Christmas gift that is truly out of this world

Looking for a meaningful present for the astronomy lover in your life, or someone who is simply impossible to buy for? Our Star Adoption Tour is a beautiful way to give them their very own place in the night sky, then visit the Perth Observatory to see it shining overhead.

When you adopt a star, you will receive a personalised certificate and star map, and you can join us on a special guided tour where our volunteers will show you your star through our telescopes and share the stories of the cosmos.

It is a thoughtful gift, an unforgettable experience, and a lovely way to support Western Australia’s oldest observatory.

Explore the Star Adoption Tour here:
https://loom.ly/RkFA9ZM

Give a gift that lasts long after Christmas. The night sky is waiting.

#perth #wa #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #westernaustralia #perthlife #perthgram #perthhappenings #gifts #giftideas #gifting #love #gift #Christmas #Christmas2025

Congratulations to every single one of you hardy souls who ventured outside last night in pursuit of the Aurora Australis, the cosmic equivalent of waiting for a celebrity who might appear, might not, but is absolutely worth brushing your hair for either way.

Now, let us acknowledge the obvious. America, Europe, New Zealand, and the East Coast of Australia all received auroral displays so spectacular they practically needed a standing ovation. Meanwhile, here in Western Australia, we were treated to what could be called a “polite glow” or “a celestial tease.”

Yes indeed, WA did get a glimpse, particularly across the South West from astronomical twilight until about 9 pm, before the third Coronal Mass Ejection arrived fashionably late at around 11 pm, like someone who RSVPs “yes” but still stops for petrol and a choc milk on the way.

Alas, the grand, sweeping light show we all hoped for did not quite materialise. But such is the noble art of aurora hunting. It requires patience. Persistence. And the quiet understanding that sometimes the universe simply says, “Not tonight, darling.” But take heart. The cosmos rewards those who return again and again, armed with warm jackets, unreasonable optimism, and the vague hope that tonight might be the night.

This fine image was captured by our very own Matt Woods at Mundaring Weir, just a stone’s throw from the Perth Observatory, proving once again that even when the aurora is playing hard to get, the night sky is always worth dressing up for.

#Perth #WA #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #westernaustralia #astronomy #astronomynews #space #spacenews #auroraaustralis #aurora #southernlights #solarstorm #stargazing #astrophotography #photography #nightphotography #astrotourismwa #astrotourism #perthlife #perthgram #seeperth #ThisisWA #wanderoutyonder #justanotherdayinwa #WAtheDreamState #experiencewa #perthobservatory #perthobs

A huge thank you to @perthisok! for shining a spotlight on the upcoming Perth Sky Sculpture Park, a new cultural landmark right here at the Perth Observatory in the heart of the Bickley Valley.

Set to officially open in Spring 2026, the @perthskysculpture will transform our heritage-listed site into a world-class destination where art, nature, and astronomy come together. Visitors will be able to wander through the Observatory grounds, domes, and bushland trails surrounded by contemporary sculptures that celebrate creativity and the cosmos.

We’re thrilled to see this vision taking shape, a place where you can look up, be inspired, and connect with the stars and the landscape in a whole new way.

🔗 Read the full Perth Is OK! feature here: https://loom.ly/-SSUtlY

#Perth #WA #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #westernaustralia #perthlife #perthhappenings #perthgram #PerthHills #VisitPerthHills #CityOfKalamunda #WATourism #SeePerth #experienceperthhills #experienceperth #experiencewa #WalkingOnADream #ThisisWA #justanotherdayinwa #wanderoutyonder #PerthIsOK #ArtMeetsStars #PerthArtsScene #CreativeWA #perthskysculpture #perthobservatory #perthobs

And we have impact! Now the waiting game begins for night for us. Please read the info below in full

The first coronal mass ejection (CME) has just hit an hour and a half ago, and the second CME is about to hit! One more is following these two, and it’s this one we’re really waiting for, that’s the heavy hitter!

Over the past few days, the Sun has fired off three full halo CMEs and multiple X-class solar flares, sending massive clouds of plasma racing toward Earth at millions of kilometres per hour. These CMEs are now interacting with our planet’s magnetic field, and that means we could be in for a spectacular aurora show tonight and over the coming days. The setup is very similar to the May 2024 superstorm, and possibly even better.

Forecast models show:

🌞 The first two CMEs are expected to strike now
🌞 The third, strongest CME is due about 8:00 PM AWST
🌏 The Bureau of Meteorology has confirmed G4 geomagnetic storm conditions, with a chance of G5 (the highest level) later today.

If conditions line up, the Aurora Australis may be visible far further north than usual, potentially lighting up dark skies as high as Perth and Sydney.

So yes, this means there’s a real chance of seeing the southern lights dancing above Western Australia tonight.

⚡ What’s Happening?

A CME is a giant burst of plasma and magnetic energy ejected from the Sun. When these particles reach Earth, they collide with oxygen and nitrogen in our atmosphere, creating the luminous green, red, and pink lights of an aurora — the same process that powers a neon sign, just on a planetary scale.

🚗💨 📸 TOP SPOTS:

• North Ledge Lookout
• Lake Leschenaultia
• Central Wheatbelt
• Herron Point & Island Reserve
• Coastal favourites like Esperance, Albany, Denmark, Ferguson Valley, and Cape Leeuwin

#Perth #WA #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #westernaustralia #astronomy #astronomynews #space #spacenews #auroraaustralis #aurora #southernlights #solarstorm #stargazing #astrophotography #photography #nightphotography #astrotourismwa #astrotourism #perthlife #perthgram #seeperth #ThisisWA #wanderoutyonder #justanotherdayinwa #WAtheDreamState #experiencewa #perthobservatory #perthobs

Perth Observatory is proud to be recognised at the 2025 Kalamunda Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Enterprise Awards.

Our Perth Sky Sculpture Park project took home the Outstanding Community Activation Award, presented by Jon Elbery on behalf of Hawaiian Forrestfield.

We were also named a Gold Medal Finalist in the Excellence in Tourism & Events category, sponsored by @adam_hort_ MLA, a testament to the incredible dedication of our volunteers who make every tour, workshop and event at the Observatory possible.

A huge thank you to the @kalamunda.chamber.of.commerce for celebrating local innovation, creativity and community spirit across the Perth Hills. And congratulations to all the amazing businesses and organisations recognised on the night.

Together, we’re helping the Perth Hills shine even brighter.

#Perth #WA #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #westernaustralia #perthlife #perthhappenings #perthgram #PerthHills #VisitPerthHills #CityOfKalamunda #TourismWA #SeePerth #experienceperthhills #experienceperth #experiencewa #WalkingOnADream #ThisisWA #justanotherdayinwa #wanderoutyonder #KalamundaChamber #OutstandingEnterpriseAwards #CommunitySpirit #WAEvents #SculpturesWhereArtMeetsSky #Volunteers #perthskysculpture #perthobservatory #perthobs

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

The image shows the night sky over Verdun, France, on the 11th of November 1918 — the first night after the guns fell silent and World War I came to an end. You can listen to that historic moment here: http://bit.ly/3El1gYS

Lest we forget.
Thank you to all who have served and continue to protect our way of life.

#perth #wa #westernaustralia #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #RemembranceDay #RemembranceDay2025 #LestWeForget #WeRememberThem #WorldWar1 #WW1 #Verdun #1918 #France #PoppyDay #ArmisticeDay #VeteransDay #HonoringHeroes #RememberingTheFallen #WeWillRemember #NeverForget #perthobservatory #perthobs

🌕 THE BEAVER MOON IS COMING! 🌕

Yes, you read that right, the Beaver Moon. And no, it’s not named after a '90s boy band or a certain Canadian pop star. The Beaver Moon is the name given to the full moon in November was given by the Old Farmer's Almanac, and it’s named for the time when beavers in the Northern Hemisphere are furiously building their lodges and dams before winter sets in.

Here in Australia, of course, our beavers are more mythical than real, but we can still appreciate their hard yakka and take a leaf out of their book. It’s a good time to tidy up, get organised, and prep for summer rather than snow!

The Beaver Moon will reach its full glory at 9:19 pm tonight, but it’ll look spectacular on Thursday nights. For Perth sky-watchers, it’ll rise at 6:39 pm tonight (Wednesday), a big, bright, golden supermoon hugging the eastern horizon.

This isn’t just any full moon. It’s a supermoon, which means it’s slightly closer to Earth than usual, about 356,980 km away, so it appears larger and brighter. You might even catch yourself saying "wow" out loud (and that’s perfectly normal).

Depending on the weather, you can see it from you're house, but if you want to go somewhere special for it, you could go to King's Park, Matilda Bay, Wireless Hill, Golden View Lookout at Mundaring Weir, and Reabold Hill Summit Lookout.

In old folklore, the Beaver Moon symbolised preparation, stability, and hard work, so if you’ve been procrastinating on cleaning the shed, fixing that retic, or booking your summer stargazing tour, the universe is giving you a gentle nudge.

📸 If you capture a shot of the Beaver Moon over the Perth Hills, share it below. We’d love to see your lunar masterpieces

Image Credit: Steve Slane

#Perth #WA #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #space #spacenews #astronomy #astronomynews #westernaustralia #perthlife #perthgram #perthhappenings #astrophotography #lunarphotography #moonphotography #astronomicalevent #beavermoon #beavermoon2025 #supermoon #supermoon2025 #NovemberSuperMoon #moon #fullmoon #luna #moonlovers #astrophoto #stargazing #perthobservatory #perthobs

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337 Walnut Rd Bickley WA 6076

info@perthobservatory.com.au

Office Times: 10am to 4:30pm Mon - Fri (exclude public holidays), and open for scheduled tours

ABN 14 565 272 536

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