Gilgandra Observatory

  Now Open - Weds to Sat








The Observatory has operated since 1975. It  was built by a retired farmer, Jack Estens. Located in the centre of Gilgandra just off the Newell Highway, our central location provides good access from motels and still provides us with excellent views of the night sky.

Construction started in 1974 by a retired farmer Mr Jack Estens. Jack had no formal training in astronomy but had been a keen amateur since Pluto's discovery in 1930!

He built his own 8" Newtonian Reflector, grinding the mirrors and making the rest from old bits and pieces from his farm!!

The Observatory is surrounded by a lovely garden. There are over 80 roses in the garden of a variety of colours and scents. From Spring until Autumn, the roses provide a colourful welcome to visitors of the Observatory.

Our main telescope is a 31 cm Newtonian Reflector . We use a variety of lenses and filters to get the best out of the telescope. The scope itself is a Cave from California, USA. It was built around 1973,  mounted on an Equatorial Mount with a tracking device.  
We don't have a computer hooked up because the general public like to see us find the objects ourselves!

Opening Hours:

Weather Permitting

Wednesday to Saturday
2 night viewings:
7.00pm
8.30pm
 
Prices:
Adults $10
Children $7.50 
(must be accompanied by an Adult)
Seniors $7.50
Group of 8 ppl $70
 
Observations during the month of September:

* Venus - observed at 7pm session 
Southern Cross (includes "The Jewel Box", the Triple star system "Alpha Centaurii" )
Saturn and its moons
The red planet Mars
Eta Carina ( Crab Nebula)
Omega Centauri globular cluster
    
  

 * High Tea's + cookies
      * True Koffee capuccino's
* Cold soft drinks
* Hot Chocolates
* Iced coffees + Choc Esspresso
* Sundaes + Milkshakes




Night Viewings
Bookings minimum of 24hrs notice
Warm clothing advised during Winter months
No Walkins

Around the Observatory there are a variety of sun dials, petrified woods, fossil and rock displays.  Inside there are more of these as well as Tektites, Metorites, Wild Flowers, Photographic Plates, Corals, Posters,  Gems, Telescopes and holograms !


The Fluorescent display has samples from all over the world. There are two Photographic Plates from The Palomar Observatory, this is the only private observatory in Australia to have any! A computer simulates the landing of the lunar module and prospective astronauts can try their skills!

The Observatory has a sister Observatory in Denmark. A group of visiting astronomers several years ago where so impressed they built one the same as this!






For more info
Contact
info@gilobs.com.au
(02) 68472646