• Home
  • About
    • The Observatory
    • Our History
    • WA Government Astronomers
    • Our Museum
    • Our Astroshop
    • Our Library
    • Our Fairy Doors
    • Accessibility At Perth Obs
    • Sustainability At Perth Obs
    • Sustainability & Positive Impact
    • Our Annual Reports
    • Our Strategic Plan
  • Tours
    • Night Sky Tours
    • Focusing On Our Moon Tours
    • School Day Tours & OSHC Tours
    • Exclusive Night Tours
    • Star Adoption & Private Tour
    • Offsite Stargazing Nights
    • Chinese Night Tours
    • Sunday Kids Workshops
    • Public Talks
    • Group Day Tours
    • Sunday Guided Day Tours
    • Things To Do In the Perth Hills
  • Special Events
    • Astronomy 101 Course
    • Spring Into Milky Way Photography
    • Lunar Photography Workshop
    • Fairy Afternoon Tea
    • Halloween Night Sky Tour
    • Astrophotography Workshop
    • Doctor Who Night Tour
  • Hire
    • Corporate Events
    • Weddings
    • Your Function
  • Astronomy
    • Astronomical Research
    • Our Telescopes
    • Night Cameras
    • Night Cameras EOI
    • R-COP Telescope
    • Sun and Moon Tables
    • Live Streams & Talks
    • Aboriginal Astronomy
    • IOA Public Talks
    • Science And Education Partners
  • Gift Vouchers
  • Membership
  • Blog
  • Get Involved
    • Become A Volunteer
    • Donations
    • Support A Priority Project
    • Sponsors And Partners
  • Contact
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Perth Observatory
  • 08 9293 8255
  • Home
  • About
    • About The Perth Observatory
    • Our History
    • WA Government Astronomers
    • Our Museum
    • Our Astroshop
    • Our Library
    • Our Fairy Doors
    • Accessibility At Perth Obs
    • Sustainability At Perth Obs
    • Sustainability & Positive Impact
    • Our Annual Reports
    • Our Strategic Plan
  • Tours
    • Night Events
      • Night Sky Tours
      • Focusing On Our Moon Tours
      • Exclusive Night Tours
      • Star Adoption & Private Tour
      • Chinese Night Tours
    • Day Events
      • School Day Tours & OSHC Tours
      • Group Day Tours
      • Sunday Guided Day Tours
      • Sunday Kids Workshops
    • Offsite Events
      • Offsite Stargazing Nights
      • Public Talks
    • Things To Do In the Perth Hills
  • Special Events
    • Astronomy 101 Course
    • Spring Into Milky Way Photography
    • Lunar Photography Workshop
    • Fairy Afternoon Tea
    • Halloween Night Sky Tour
    • Astrophotography Workshop
    • Doctor Who Night Tour
  • Hire
    • Corporate Events
    • Weddings
    • Your Function
  • Astronomy
    • Astronomical Research
    • Our Telescopes
    • Night Cameras
    • Night Cameras EOI
    • R-COP Telescope
    • Sun and Moon Tables
    • Worl Wangkiny – Aboriginal Astronomy
    • Institute of Astronomy Public Talks
    • Science And Education Partners
  • Gift Vouchers
  • Memberships
  • Get Involved
    • Become A Volunteer
    • Donations
    • Support A Priority Project
    • Sponsors And Partners
  • Blog
  • Contact

Perth-Lowell Telescope Restoration

The Perth-Lowell Telescope. Image Credit: Roger Groom
Recent Donors
  • Be the first to donate now

Please donate to help restore the Perth Observatory’s Lowell Telescope and bring it back to astronomical research. Originally funded by NASA and acquired by Lowell Observatory of Flagstaff, USA, the telescope was installed at Perth Observatory on a permanent loan basis. In 1977, the Perth-Lowell Telescope played a crucial role in discovering the Rings of Uranus as part of the International Planetary Patrol Program (IPPP).

With your contribution, the Perth-Lowell Telescope can continue to make significant contributions to current astronomical research, including the exploration of black holes and exoplanets. By restoring this important telescope, we can renew international astronomical research at Perth Observatory and unlock new discoveries about the universe.

Please consider making a donation to support the restoration of the Perth-Lowell Telescope and help advance our understanding of the cosmos. All donations are tax-deductible and a tax receipt will be provided.

Donation Progress:

$5000

Direct Bank Transfer (EFT) Details:

Bank: Bendigo Bank
Name: Perth Observatory Gift Fund
BSB: 633 000
Account: 161 794 516

Please Note: If you'd like a tax receipt for you EFT donation please email us at treasurer@perthobservatory.com.au

Donation Form:

  • $ 0.00
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Recent Donors:

  • Be the first to donate now
eNewsletter on a tablet

Newsletter Sign Up

Sign up today to our quarterly newsletter

View more
Night Tour

Rate Us On TripAdvisor

Let others know of your experience

View more
Volunteers In Dome

We Want You!

Become an awesome volunteer

View more

Instagram Feed

Light pollution is drowning out the stars — but Light pollution is drowning out the stars — but together, we can change that.

The Australasian @darkskyalliance is calling for legislation to reduce light pollution so outdoor lighting is only used when needed, at safe and sensible levels. Countries like France, Germany, and Croatia have already proven it works!

But we need YOUR help:
🖊️ 10,000 signatures by 19 September to show strong public support.

👉 Sign the petition today and share it with your friends. Every signature counts towards saving our skies.

🔗 Click the link in our bio

Let’s keep the stars shining for everyone ✨

#Perth #WA #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #westernaustralia #perthevents #perthlife #ThisisWA #wanderoutyonder #justanotherdayinwa #experienceperthhills #experienceperth #experiencewa #perthgram #astrophotography #astronomy #space #nightsky #DarkSky #SeeTheStars #LightPollution #ProtectTheNight #SaveOurSkies #InternationalDarkSky #StarryNight #AstroAwareness #DarkSkyMovement #perthobservatory #perthobs
🌕✨ Total Lunar Eclipse – 8 September! ✨🌕

Perth skywatchers, set your alarms! In the early hours of Monday, 8 September, we’ll be treated to a total lunar eclipse – when the Earth’s shadow turns the Moon a deep red.

Here are the key times for Perth (AWST):
🔸 Partial Eclipse begins – 12:27 am
🔸 Total Eclipse begins – 1:30 am
🔸 Maximum Eclipse – 2:11 am
🔸 Total Eclipse ends – 2:52 am
🔸 Partial Eclipse ends – 3:56 am

Whether you’re outside under the stars or watching from the comfort of home, you won’t want to miss this stunning celestial event. 🌌

📺 We’ll also be live-streaming the eclipse with @timeanddatecom:
👉 Click the link in our bio to watch

Will you be staying up late or waking up early to catch the Blood Moon? 🌕🔴

#Perth #WA #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #westernaustralia #perthevents #perthlife #perthgram #ThisisWA #wanderoutyonder #justanotherdayinwa #experienceperthhills #experienceperth #experiencewa #astrophotography #astronomynews #spacenews #astronomy #space #TotalLunarEclipse #LunarEclipse #BloodMoon #MoonEclipse #Eclipse2025 #AstronomyLovers #PerthSky #AustraliaStargazing #perthobservatory #perthobs
#Perth #WA are you tired of staring at the same li #Perth #WA are you tired of staring at the same light-polluted night sky? Want to share your passion for astronomy? Look no further!

Perth Observatory is seeking new volunteers to join our stellar team and help show off our fantastic universe. Not only will you get to play with state-of-the-art equipment, but you'll also have the opportunity to meet like-minded stargazers and potentially be the one who sets someone on the path to becoming an astronomer. But hurry, applications close on September 14th, so don't miss out on this out-of-this-world opportunity!

For info on the different roles and to let us know you are interested, use the Linktree link in our profile description

#perthnews #wanews #communitynews #westernaustralia #perthhills #experiencewa #experienceperth #supportlocal #supportsmallbusiness #supportlocalbusiness #supportsmallbusinesses #perthevents #perthlife #kalamunda #lesmurdie #bickley #perthhappenings #volunteering #volunteer #volunteers #charity #nonprofit #community #giveback #love #givingback #perthobservatory #perthobs
The International Space Station (@iss) will fly ov The International Space Station (@iss) will fly over extremely bright on Tuesday at 6:44 pm (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.

#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
🚀 Farewell to Astronaut Jim Lovell (1928 – 20 🚀 Farewell to Astronaut Jim Lovell (1928 – 2025) 🌙

We are deeply saddened to hear the news that Jim Lovell legendary NASA astronaut and commander of the Apollo 13 mission, passed away on the 7th of August in Lake Forest, Illinois, aged 97.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1928, Lovell grew up with a fascination for flight. He became a United States Navy aviator and test pilot before joining NASA as part of the second group of astronauts. Over his career, he flew on four historic space missions:

✨ Gemini 7 (1965) – A 14-day endurance mission that set a spaceflight duration record and performed the first rendezvous with another spacecraft.

✨ Gemini 12 (1966) – His second mission as commander, which perfected the techniques for spacewalking.

✨ Apollo 8 (1968) – As Command Module Pilot, Lovell became one of the first humans to orbit the Moon, witnessing Earthrise and reading from Genesis on Christmas Eve to a worldwide audience.

✨ Apollo 13 (1970) – Commanding a mission that became one of space exploration’s greatest dramas after an oxygen tank explosion crippled the spacecraft. Lovell’s calm leadership and close coordination with Mission Control transformed what could have been a tragedy into a “successful failure,” bringing the crew home safely.

Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1970 and the Congressional Space Medal of Honor in 1995. He co-authored the book Lost Moon, which inspired the 1995 film Apollo 13. In the movie, Tom Hanks famously portrayed him, Lovell even made a cameo appearance wearing his own Navy uniform.

Lovell retired from NASA and the Navy in 1973, moving into a successful career in business and continuing to inspire new generations. NASA has remembered him as “a man whose courage and calm under pressure inspired the world.” 

God Speed Jim Lovell!!!

#Perth #WA #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #westernaustralia #perthlife #perthhappenings #perthgram #JimLovell #GodspeedJimLovell #Apollo13 #NASA #NASAHistory #SpaceLegend #AstronautTribute #SpaceHistory #ApolloProgram #GeminiProgram #SpaceHero #SpacePioneer #SpaceExploration #Leadership #Resilience #Courage #HumanEndeavour #Inspiration #SuccessfulFailure #perthobservatory #perthobs
It is National Student Volunteer Week from 4th – It is National Student Volunteer Week from 4th –10th  August, and we wanted to take a moment to acknowledge and celebrate the incredible students who choose to volunteer their time with us here at the Perth Observatory.

This year’s theme is Powered by Purpose, and it couldn’t be more fitting. It reminds us that volunteering isn’t just about the hours, it’s about why we show up. Our student volunteers bring curiosity, energy, and fresh perspectives, all while juggling studies, work, personal lives, and everything in between.

It takes real commitment to carve out time to give back, and we’re so grateful to those who show up, not just with their time, but with their purpose. Whether you're studying astrophysics, engineering, teaching, the arts, or anything else, thank you for choosing to be part of our volunteer community.

Let’s take this week as a reminder that volunteering isn’t only about time given, but about the why behind it, the passion that connects us, no matter what stage of life we’re in.

Thanks to all of you for continuing to make this such a welcoming, meaningful place to be!

#Perth #WA #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #westernaustralia #perthlife #perthhappenings #perthgram #NSVW2025 #NSVW #NationalStudentVolunteerWeek #StudentVolunteers #WAStudents #VolunteeringMatters #VolunteersMakeADifference #YouthVolunteering #StudentsWhoGiveBack #UniLife #TAFEvolunteers #InspireOthers #VolunteeringAustralia #VolunteeringWA #MakeADifference #CommunitySpirit #InspireOthers #GiveBack #VolunteerLife #perthobservatory #perthobs
Our very own Matt Woods spoke with Francesca De Nu Our very own Matt Woods spoke with Francesca De Nuccio from @7newsperth yesterday about the spectacular fireball that lit up our skies on Wednesday night around 9:30 pm.

Catch the full story here.

#Perth #WA #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #westernaustralia #perthlife #perthhappenings #perthgram #stargazing #photography #nightphotography #astrophotography #space #spacenews #astronomy #astronomynews #meteor #meteors #bolides #fireballs #meteorshower #dfn #desertfireballnetwork #wheatbelt #perthobservatory #perthobs
🐾✨ Happy International Cat Day! ✨🐾 Toda 🐾✨ Happy International Cat Day! ✨🐾

Today, we’re celebrating a cosmic tribute to our feline friends — the stunning Cat’s Paw Nebula, also known as NGC 6334.

Located around 5,500 light-years away in the constellation Scorpius, this massive emission nebula is a vibrant stellar nursery — one of the most active in our part of the galaxy. 💫

Stretching over 50 light-years across, the nebula is rich in hydrogen gas, which glows red due to the intense ultraviolet radiation from young, massive stars forming inside. Some of these newborn stars are up to 10 times hotter and 30–40 times more massive than our Sun!

Its nickname comes from the nebula’s structure — several rounded clumps of glowing gas that resemble the pads of a cat’s paw gently pressed into the cosmos. It’s also sometimes called the Bear Claw Nebula, but we’re team cat today!

The Cat’s Paw is part of the Carina–Sagittarius spiral arm of the Milky Way and is often studied to better understand how stars form in dense molecular clouds.

So today, whether you’re cuddling a cat or looking up at the stars, remember — even the universe leaves pawprints.

📷: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI

#Perth #WA #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #westernaustralia #perthlife #perthhappenings #perthgram #HappyInternationalCatDay #InternationalCatDay #InternationalCatDay20025 #CatDay #CatLovers #Meow #Purrfect #Purr #FelineFine #CatsPawNebula #DeepSkyWonders #JWST #CelestialCelebration #SpaceCats #CosmicCat #AstroCats #CatsInSpace #AstronomyLovers #LookUpWA #perthobservatory #perthobs
🌠 Did you see that flash in the sky last night? 🌠 Did you see that flash in the sky last night?

It wasn’t your imagination, a brilliant fireball lit up the skies over WA!

About 300 km south-west of Perth, out over the ocean, a fist-sized chunk of space rock slammed into our atmosphere at a mind-blowing 34 km per second, and our friends at the Desert Fireball Network caught it!

This object was a fragile cometary fragment, a piece of icy, dusty debris left over from the early stages of the Solar System. When these objects enter Earth's atmosphere, they are called meteors. If they're especially bright, like this one, they're often referred to as fireballs.

As it hit our atmosphere, it began to heat up and break apart, producing a series of dazzling flashes. The entire light show ended at an altitude of 69 km, with the object destroyed; no fragments reached the ground.

So next time you see a meteor streak across the sky, remember you're witnessing a tiny visitor from space, burning up in a blaze of glory.

#Perth #WA #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #westernaustralia #perthlife #perthhappenings #perthgram #stargazing #photography #nightphotography #astrophotography #space #spacenews #astronomy #astronomynews #meteor #meteors #bolides #fireballs #meteorshower #dfn #desertfireballnetwork #wheatbelt #perthobservatory #perthobs
Perth Observatory’s Star Adoption Program is not Perth Observatory’s Star Adoption Program is not merely a gift—it is an interstellar gesture of affection, a twinkling tribute in the tapestry of time!

You can name an actual star in the sky after that glorious individual who lights up your life—metaphorically and now quite literally! 🔭

Each adoption comes with a certificate (frame-worthy), a star chart (so you can point dramatically and say “That one’s yours!”), a planisphere and a your own exclusive night tour, where we bask in the galactic splendour together.

For more info and to request a Star Adoption, use the Linktree link in our profile description

#Perth #WA #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #westernaustralia #perthevents #perthtodo #perthlife #perthisok #perthgram #perthhappenings #SeePerth #StarAdoption #NameAStar #Stargazing #AstronomyLovers #SpaceGift #UniqueGiftIdea #RomanticGift #MeaningfulGifts #AnniversaryGift #BirthdayGiftIdea #SomethingDifferent #AdoptAStar #StarAdoption #InterstellarRomance #YouAbsoluteStar #perthobservatory #perthobs
Get ready to don your most magical outfits and emb Get ready to don your most magical outfits and embark on a whimsical journey at the Observatory during the school holidays on Saturday, October 4th! Join us for a guided tour straight out of a fairy tale as we explore the enchanting fairy Door locations from the book 'Out and about with Artemis at the Perth Observatory' written by Perth Observatory volunteer Janet Baldwin and illustrated by Sharon Tapscott.

After the adventure, treat yourself to a delightful afternoon tea on the Observatory's lush lawn, where you can share your own stories of wonder and discovery.

Secure your spot now for a day filled with laughter, magic, and maybe even a sprinkle of fairy dust! Use the Linktree link in our profile description to book your tickets before they vanish like a puff of fairy fog.

#perthnews #wanews #perthtodo #perthhappenings #perthevents #perthhills #perthisok #perthlife #perthnow #perthentertainment #perthevent #soperth #whatsoninperth #experienceperthhills #experienceperth #ThisisWA #wanderoutyonder #fairy #magic #art #fantasy #fairies #fairytale #afternoontea #teatime #hightea #homemade #supportlocal #perthobservatory #perthobs
🎉 We did it — again! 🎉 Thanks to all of y 🎉 We did it — again! 🎉

Thanks to all of you, we've received a Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Award for 2025! 🌟

This recognition means the world to us because it’s based on your reviews and feedback. Whether you’ve visited us recently or supported us from afar — thank you for being part of our journey. 💚

Here’s to more unforgettable nights under the stars! 🌌🔭

#perth #wa #perthnews #wanews #communitynews #westernaustralia #perthlife #perthgram #perthhappenings #perthisok #perthtodo #perthlocal #perthcreatives #justanotherdayinwa #visitperth #seeperth #experienceperth #experienceperthhills #experiencewa #perthtourism #thisiswa #exploreperth #Astrotourism #AstrotourismWA #TravellersChoice #Tripadvisor2025 #ThankYou #TopRatedExperience #perthobservatory #perthobs
Follow us

Contact Details

337 Walnut Rd Bickley WA 6076

337 Walnut Rd Bickley WA 6076

(08) 9293 8255

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

Get In Touch
© 2025 Perth Observatory - All rights reserved
Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Refund Policy | COVID19 Policy | Web Design By Matt Woods