If you have always wanted to explore the night sky now is your chance as Hastings Secondary College, Wauchope High and local astronomy groups come together for a great night out.
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The fourth annual Sky Stories is taking place on August 24, at the Sancrox Reserve, Rawdon Island Road and will give everyone a chance to explore the night sky with the help of experts.
Astronomy enthusiasts and educators alike will be on hand to guide even the most novice star gazer through the basics Annette Riethmuller, head of science at Hasting Secondary College said.
“Sky Stories is an initiative we started four years ago to engage the community in exploring the world above us,” Ms Riethmuller said.
“The event is something we are wanting the whole community to get behind and come together to see what is in the world around us.
“We will have members from the astronomy clubs in the Hastings there to assist people if they have any questions and will be a great opportunity for people to dust off their telescopes and binoculars.”
On the night you will learn everything about the night sky, how to read sky maps and how to identify moon craters and star clusters.
The event which starts at 5pm on August 24, is a family friendly evening and Ms Riethmuller said the atmosphere will be very relaxed.
“We will be having a free sausage sizzle and our hospitality students will be making coffees and cakes for people to purchase,” she said.
“There is very little light pollution at Sancrox Reserve so it is a fabulous chance for people to come along.
“In the past we have had up to 500 people come out but there is plenty of room for everyone so the more the merrier.”
David Renke from the Mid North Coast Astronomy and Science Centre said August 24 will be a great night for star gazing.
“With continuing clear skies right across the Hastings, five major planets in the sky and a strong meteor shower this promises to be the best Sky Stories for stargazers so far,” Mr Renke said.
“You might even get to see a rare ‘fireball’ or two which would be incredible.
“Even if you’ve got just a casual interest in the night, sky you’ll be blown away by the rings of Saturn, the moons of Jupiter, stars, star clusters and Mars big and cherry red in the telescope, the closest it’s been to Earth since 2003.”
For more information head to the Facebook event Sky Stories – Sancrox Reserve.
The Sky Stories event will take place on August 24, 5-8pm at Sancrox Reserve, Rawdon Island Road.
