Maidenwell  Astronomical  Observatory

  ....Your Gateway to the Stars...... 

• Queensland's No. 1 professional astro-tourism attraction operated by full-time astronomer, James Barclay with over 50 years experience.

• This self-funded $500,000 observatory is open to the public 6 days and 7 nights for quality Stargazing under dark rural skies.  

• Our objective is to give our visitors an  astronomical educational service where they can actually learn something new about the night skies and enjoy what they see in our telescopes. 
  

• Our shows are suitable for all ages. Whether you are 6 or 106, what you see and learn weighs more than just a casual curiosity.
  

• Tourists, Individuals, Families, Seniors, Schools, Coach Tours, Community and Social groups are most welcome to attend. Our shows however, are not suitable for children under 5. See our Company Policy below.

• We can seat 40 persons on the Observation Deck (green building in photo) and 68 persons in the Star Theatre.

• We don't do any stargazing a few nights before, during and after a Full Moon - just too much moonlight.!

Observation Deck

• At right is a photo of our Observation Deck showing the roof sliding back over the water tanks. Once the roof stops 2 metres back from the rear wall, the three Pier Tech 2 height adjustable piers each carrying a 120kg Meade LX200 GPS 14 inch telescope are powered up ready to show YOU the visitor, the Planets, Moon, Star Clusters, Nebulae, and Galaxies.

• The tall post holds an online Ergon Energy partly sponsored Davis Vantage Plus II weather station which you can now get a an accurate 1 hour update of the weather conditions by clicking on Weather on the top menu bar. The post also carries a CCTV video surveillance camera that keeps an eye on the main entrance to the sports field and the fire brigade shed. The rest of the Observatory inside and out is also under video surveillance monitored and recorded 24/7. Security lighting is also installed.

• In May 2005 Ergon Energy replaced every street light in the town with special lights that only illuminate the road and not the night skies. Maidenwell is the only town in the entire Southern Hemisphere to have this done to help prevent the spread of Light Pollution.

• Stargazing sessions start at 7pm, 7 nights a week.
  

• Depending on number of visitors at the time of a Night Session, the show last between 60 to 90 minutes.

• Our skies in Winter are so clear and dark one can see with the naked eye, the 'Jewel Box' Open Cluster - NGC 4755, which is just below the Beta Crux (Mimosa) and borders on the 'Coal Sack' which is the dark patch at the base of the Southern Cross. On a clear dark moonless night, one can see up to 4 very faint stars which is the max. limit of naked eye visibility.

• Daytime show in the Star Theatre start at 2pm Thurs.-Tues.(Wed. by appoint.only)
  

• Best booking dates to view the Stars, Moon  and Planets are listed at left in the Main Menu. 

• Bookings ARE essential for a Day and or Night session. Ph. 4164  6194  or Mobile:  0427  961  391

• More info on this course in the Main Menu at left.     Closing date is August 25 at 5pm

• 2009 Astronomy Calendars are now in stock at $12 each.
  

• We now offer a professional Photographic service with a photographer with over 40 years experience.
• Whether it's Advertising, Brochure, Industrial, Newspaper, Sports or a Wedding, we do it all and do it well - no short cuts.
• We use top end Digital equipment and post digital graphic services.
• Our rates reflect our quality and professionalism.
• All jobs are negotiable.
  
• Just phone or email James at the observatory and let's take it from there.

• Due to the nature of our shows it is not advisable to bring children under 5 years.

• Any parent who does bring a child under 5 and that child mucks up, the parent MUST remove that child so to maintain harmony for others. No refunds given.