Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Q. Why should I visit MAO?
- Well, we do have the largest telescopes in Qld for the public to look through! Secondly, we have no street light problem. Our night skies are very dark.
Q. Why build in Maidenwell and how was it financed?
- In late 2003 the owners were invited by the town of Maidenwell and the shire council to build on their disused sports field. MAO was self-funded.
Q On what dates do you run your Night Shows?
- Our night shows (min. of 3 persons) operate only on the dates listed in the Working Dates at left in Main Menu.
If a date you have in mind is not listed, then it's probably on or around a Full Moon which we do not do.
Day shows only run when we have a booking and it has to be a min. of 4 persons to do so.
Q. Must I book and how do I book?
- Yes, you must book. Just select a date from the Working Dates in the Main Menu and then call 4164 6194 or
E-mail mao123atbigpond.com (remove the 'at' and replace it with the @ symbol.
Q What is the max. number you can take for a Night Show?
Q How many can you take in the Star Theatre?
Q. Do I come on a cloudy night?
- If its raining, no, but if the skies look 'iffy' in the afternoon, just call the observatory an hour or two before leaving home for a 'heads up' as to how the weather is at Maidenwell.
If the night is clear when you arrive and we start and for some unexplained reason the skies cloud up, we adjourn into the Star Theatre to finish the session off. No refunds.
Q. How does your Night Shows operate?
- If we have time, we start the show off with a flat-screen Planetarium showing of the night sky in the Star Theatre before moving outside to see the real night sky.
Outside the astronomer points out various constellations, stars, and planets with a registered Green Laser pointer, before we begin our Night Sky telescope tour.
Q. What do we get to see in the telescopes?
- On moonless nights you get to see to see billions of stars, star clusters, Nebulae and galaxies.
On the Moon nights you get to see the Moon and planets up close.
Saturn is generally seen in the first half of each year with Jupiter in the last half.
Wintertime is best for the Milky Way and constellations of Scorpio, Sagittarius and Carina.
Summer is best for Orion, Canis Majoris, Rigel Orionis, M42, and the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds.
Q. If I wear glasses do I leave them on?
- If you wear glasses for infinity vision leave them on, as the telescopes will be focused for infinity (20-20 vision).
Q. How big are your Telescopes and how far can they see?
- We have three LX200 Meade 14 inch diameter mirror F10 Schmidt Cassegrain telescopes capable of magnifying up to 800X.
Each scope can see out to about 100 million light years, well beyond the reach of smaller telescopes.
Q. Is it hard to look through your telescopes?
- No. Each telescope has its own height adjusting pier that can be raised or lowered the scopes to suit the height of any observer, including those in wheelchairs.
Q. When is the best times to see a starry night sky?
- Any night that is cloud and Moon free. Look under our Working Dates in the Main Menu.
Q When is it best to view the Moon up close?
- Best times is between a 6 day to 10 day old moon, but never when its Full. Too much moonlight and you won't see any craters on a Full Moon.
Q. What do I wear or bring on my observing night?
- In winter, do not wear jeans as cotton will absorb the cold night air and dew. Instead, wear track suit, wollen clothes. In summer, you can wear what you feel comfortable in but bring a coat just in case.
If you keep the head, feet and hands warm, the whole body will stay warm.
We supply blankets to keep your lap and shoulders warm.
Q. What is the main attraction in the Day Session?
- Viewing the Sun on the big screen from a colour video camera attached to the Solar telescope outside in the white dome. You also get a special 10 minute video about the Sun which shows and explains all about Solar Prominences, Flares, Sunspots, Auroras etc. plus other short video clips about the Solar System and the Universe.
Q. Will my question/s be answered re astronomy?
Q. Do I get to anything to take away to remind me of my visit?
- Yes. Memories of what you saw in the telescopes and what you were told by the astronomer.
Q. Do you have Loyalty Cards and Gift Vouchers?
- Yes. This card is valid for 12 months from date of issue.
- On the 1st to 3rd visit you pay full price but on the 4th visit you get 25% off.
- On the 5th to 7th visit you pay full price and on the 8th visit you get 50% off.
- On the 9th to 11th visit is full price with the 12th visit FREE.
- We also do Gift Vouchers for that special person in your life. Call or email for more details.
Q. Where can I get Meals in Maidenwell?
- You can get meals at the local pub. Call them on 4164 6133.
If going to the pub get there no later than 5.45pm and place your meal order, otherwise you will not have time to have your meal and get to the Observatory by 7 or 7.30pm.
Alternatively, if the pub can't supply meals pop over to the Trading Post and cafe (0pp.the pub) Ph 4164 6166.
Q, Can I take astro images through your telescopes?
- Yes you can (for a price) but only on Moon nights and bookings are essential.
Q. How close does the Moon, planets and stars look through your telescopes?
- A lot closer than you can with binoculars!
Q. Why are you so happy in your work? (kids question)
Q. Have you ever been into Space or to the Moon? (kid's question)
- I'm still waiting on my passport and ticket from NASA.
Q. How many stars in a galaxy and how many galaxies? (kids question)
- For stars, probably more than grains of sand on a beach. As for galaxies? same again..
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