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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Q. Why build in Maidenwell?
- In late 2003 the owners were invited by the town of Maidenwell and the former Nanango Shire Council to build an astronomical observatory to attract tourist, schools, bus/coach tours and community groups. The complex has an office and display centre, a 77-seater Star Theatre and a 40 seater observation deck where we conduct our Night Shows with the 3 Meade 14 inch telescopes.
Q On what dates do you run your Night Shows?
- Our night shows operate only on the dates listed in the Working Dates at left in Main Menu. We don't do any night shows close to a Full Moon.
Day and Night shows only run when we have 4 or more persons.
Q. Must I book for a Day and or Night show 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 mao123<@>bigpond.com (remove the chevrons and it will work)
Q. Can I book and pay online?
- You can book via email but not pay, as no one knows if the skies will be clear or not. You only pay at the Observatory if the night show is going ahead.
Q What is the maximum number you can take for a Night or Day show?
- 40 persons for a night and 77 for a day show.
Q. Do I come on a cloudy night?
- If it's totally bombed out with cloud then no, but if it looks clear, then yes.
If you are uncertain what to do, just call us beforehand or go online and click on the All Sky Camera at top of home page.
Q. What do you do if the skies cloud up during a night show?
- If the sky clouds up within the first 30 minutes of the show and there is no sign it will clear, you will be offered a refund or given a 3 month rain-check.
- If the skies cloud up AFTER the first 30 minutes and there's no sign of it clearing, we offer two alternatives:
Adjourn to the Star Theatre for an A/V program to finish off the booked session or we go home. There will be NO refunds or rain-checks.
Q. What do we get to see in the telescopes?
- On moonless nights you get to see to see double stars, star clusters, nebulae and galaxies. On the Moon nights you get to see the Moon and planets up close.
Deep sky objects like star clusters etc, won't look as bright as on a moonless night, but nonetheless you do get to see many stellar wonders.
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.
In Summer Orion, Canis Majoris, Rigel Orionis, Great nebula of Orion - M42, and the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds dominate the skies.
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 20-20 vision.
Q. How large and what type are your telescopes do you use?
- We have three LX200 Meade 14 inch diameter mirror F10 Schmidt Cassegrain telescopes capable of magnifying up to 800X.
Q. Is it difficult 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. Just close one eye and look into the large eyepiece like a microscope.
Q. When is the best times to see a starry night sky?
- Any night that has NO cloud and Moonlight. Look under our Working Dates - Starry Nights in the Main Menu.
Q When is it best to view the Moon up close?
- Best times are listed under our Working Dates - Moon and Planets.
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 explains Solar Prominences, Flares, Sunspots, Auroras etc.
We also show you other videos 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. We now offer a set of photos taken of the objects you have looked at. This B/W photo set sells for $2.
Q. Do you have Gift Vouchers?
- Yes, we do. Call or email for details.
Q, Can I take astro images through your telescopes?
- Yes you can (for a price) but only on Moon nights and bookings for this are essential.
Q. How close does the Moon, planets and stars look through your telescopes?
- A damn lot closer than you can see 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)
- No one really knows. My guess is just about as many grains of sand on a beach for both.
Q. Is there any life in Space? (kids question)
- I would like to think so. No one has yet been able to prove this, but Space is a really big place and has lots of room to fit more life-bearing planets.
Q. Would a person be able to travel as fast in Space as they do in the movies? (kids question)
- Not really. Movies are made in Hollywood and a lot of what you see is Special Effects which require lots of people and some pretty nifty electronic gear.
There is no sound in Space. No one would hear you cry or yell, unless of course you did that in your Space suit helmet and were on radio link to another human.
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