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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Q. Why build in Maidenwell?
- MAO was chosen by the town's late Eco Tourism Association and the then Nanango Shire Council who both agreed that a tourist attraction like ours would be great for the town and the Shire.
So they said as long as build on the western side of the town's sports field, they would welcome us with open arms - and they did.
We now have a council lease on a portion of the 10 acres where the Obs.stands.
After selling up our home in Manly and giving up our loved jobs, we designed and built the Obs.to the tune of $500.000. onstruction started in April 2004 and opened on August 16, 2004.
Then in May 2005, Ergon nergy came along and replaced every street light with special lights and hoods that do not shine upwards or sideways. This was their contribution at no cost to anyone.
Q. How big are your Telescopes and can you see Aliens in them? (typical kids' question)
- We have three Meade 14 inch F10 Schmidt Cassegrain telescopes capable of magnifying up to 800X.
No, we don't see Aliens in our telescopes because they are shy of being seen.
Q. How and when do we make a booking?
- All you have to do is phone or email your chosen date you want to visit, as bookings ARE essential.
We do not do any night shows when its close to a Full Moon - too much moonlight.
Best times are listed on the main Menu above under Stars and Planets, etc,
Q. Do we come at night if it's cloudy?
- 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 the skies cloud up later on during your night show, we adjourn into the Star Theatre to finish the session off.
Q. What do you do at night before looking through your big telescopes?
- We generally start the program with a short video in the Star Theatre of how a star is formed before we move outside onto the sports field for a 'Tour of the Night Sky' using a registered green laser pointer to point out various constellations, stars and planets. Once done, we move onto the Observation Deck and get you seated and go through some basic instructions about using the instruments. Once the red lights are turned off you are in pitch darkness, the music starts and on cue, the big roof starts to slid back over your head to reveal the starry skies above.
Q. What do we get to see in the telescopes?
- Depending on what time of year it is, each season has many different things to observe. On moonless nights you get to see to see coloured stars, Open and Globular star clusters, Nebulae and a galaxy or two. On the Moon nights you get to see the Moon up very close in the telescopes and any planets if they are also up. Saturn is generally seen in the first half of each year with Jupiter in the last half. Winter is best for the Milky Way, Scorpio, Sagittarius and Carina and Summer is best for Orion and the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds.
Q. If I wear reading glasses do I use them?
- No. Only those who wear glasses for long distance vision need to leave them on as the telescopes will be focused for 20-20 vision.
Q. Is it hard to look through your big telescopes?
- No. Each telescope has its own height adjusting pier that can raise and lower the scopes to the height of any observer, including those in wheelchairs.
Each telescope has a small kitchen type ladder to lean on that helps to steady oneself when looking through the eyepiece.
If you touch and move the telescope, your are buried up to your neck in an ants nest.. ALIVE!......hheheheheeeee.... So the bottom line is: Don't touch.
Q. When is the best times to star gaze?
- Any night that is cloud-free and that is within the dates you see in the Moon/Planets tab on left in Menu. We do not take nor operate on nights close to a Full Moon because of its strong light
which 'drowns out' many constellations and stars, making it hard to glimpse Deep Sky objects.
Q. What do I need to bring on my observing night?
- In winter, dress up for the cold. Keep the head warm too, as you will be sitting out in the cold night air. Even in Summer, it can still get a bit cool particularly for those who come from the coast, as they do not experience rural weather. On warmer nights or in summer, again dress for it. Average night temp. in Summer is about 15 Deg.C and in Winter about 5 C.
Q. What is the main attraction in the Day Session?
- View the Sun on the big screen from a colour video camera attached to the Solar telescope in the white dome outside.
You also get to view a special 10 minute video about the Sun which shows and explains in graphic form, the Solar 11-year cycle,
Solar Prominences, Flares and Sunspots and how these violent electro-magnetic storms affect Earth and how Auroras form.
This is followed by other short video clips about the Solar System and the Universe. All this take an hour.
Q. Will all my questions be answered re astronomy?
Q. Do I get to anything to take away to remind me of my visit?
- Yes! Lots of memories of the night and how friendly and funny the astronomer was.
Q. Does the observatory have Loyalty Cards?
- 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.
Q. Where can I get Meals and Accommodation in Maidenwell?
- You can get a nice meal at the Maidenwell Hotel Ph. 4164 6133, or the new cafe and Trading Post - Ph. 4164 6166.
You have to be there at either place BEFORE 6pm otherwise they will not have time to cook before the start of the Obs.Night Show.
Q, Can I take astro images from your Observatory?
- Yes you can for a fee. Bookings are essential for this special session and only on Moon nights.
Q. Why are you so happy in your work? (kids question)
- Because I like it and I'm the boss.
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