The University of Tasmania’s iconic Mt Pleasant Radio Telescope Observatory near Cambridge is set to open its doors to the public for its popular annual open day.
Visitors to the family-friendly event on Sunday can enjoy tours of the facility, learn about the science of radio astronomy and the history of pioneer Grote Reber, experience the Telescope Control Room, and view the famous 26 metre dish antenna.
The event provides the opportunity to meet scientists and students who use the telescope, and to ask them space-related questions.
Visitors can learn how work done at the telescope impacts their everyday lives through its link to GPS and accurate positioning.
The free event also includes 3D movies, face painting, BBQ, water rockets and other activities.
UTAS pulsar astrophysicist Dr Jim Palfreyman said: “The 26m telescope is the most southerly of all the large radio telescopes and so plays an important part in the worldwide significant role in astrophysics research worldwide.”
