The three year plan to fundraise for a new telescope at a revamped Port Macquarie Observatory starts with a Star Port Expo on April 4.
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The event is being coordinated by the Port Macquarie Rotary Sunrise Club.
President Carolyn Ireland says the fundraising target is between $60,000 to $80,000.
A development application for the new observatory currently sits with Port Macquarie-Hastings Council.
"We are working hand in hand with the Port Macquarie Astronomy Association to raise the funds needed to purchase the new telescope," Mrs Ireland said.
"The new observatory building will be constructed on the existing site on Rotary Park behind Town Beach.
"By undertaking the fundraising for the new telescope, we are enabling the association to move forward to investigate other funding opportunities for the construction phase of the building.
"Once the DA is confirmed, we can then start to seriously source these grants which will give us a more solid foundation to work from."
The president said the Port Macquarie Rotary Club had constructed the original observatory in 1962.
"There is a strong connection there," she added.
Once the DA is confirmed, we can then start to seriously source these grants which will give us a more solid foundation to work from.
- Carolyn Ireland
Guest speaker will be Professor Fred Watson - also known as the astronomer at large.
Mrs Ireland said Prof Watson had held a number of positions, most notably with the federal government.
"He has a popular podcast that is broadcast worldwide and is generally booked out months in advance.
"Prof Watson is also an advocate of dark sky for community and towns to limit lighting.
"To have him here is an attraction within itself."
Mrs Ireland said the Star Port Expo is a family-friendly, all-weather event that will feature stalls on electro magnetism, virtual reality and robotics.
She said the expo would dove-tail into Rotary's aim of supporting education and more specifically STEM avenues - science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
"Charles Sturt University is on board and is supporting the event," she said.
A once-completed revamped observatory will feature an 80-seat auditorium which will be available for use for community and education groups.
She described the new facility as "a real step up for astronomy in Port Macquarie'.
As the only observatory on the coastline, the Port Macquarie Observatory was a significant drawcard for the region, Mrs Ireland added.
The Star Port Expo is on April 4, at Port Macquarie Racecourse from 5pm until 10pm.
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