Year: 2026

Presenter(s): Kenneth Grant, Andrew Cool, Don Bursill, David Bennett & Sean Brennan Affiliation(s): Swan Reach Observatory (SRO), South Australia Session details: Saturday, 2026-04-04 03:00:00 Abstract The recent establishment of the Swan Reach Observatory (SRO) will be a boon to optical astronomy in South Australia. It is based around a 70cm research-grade corrected Dall-Kirkham telescope (Planewave…

Presenter(s): Katrina Burge Affiliation(s): University of Melbourne; Mt Burnett Observatory Session details: Sunday, 2026-04-04 23:30:00 Abstract Mount Burnett Observatory has had a thriving Young Observers Program for many years. In 2025, I stepped in as the new YO coordinator and would like to share some of the strategies that have made the program an enduring…

Presenter(s): Kenneth J. Grant, Andrew D. Cool & David Bennet Affiliation(s): River Murray International Dark Sky Reserve (RMIDSR) Session details: Saturday, 2026-04-04 02:30:00 Abstract There is growing interest in the preservation of dark skies. This stems not only on from concern about the effect of light pollution on optical astronomy, but also on human and…

Presenter(s): Roy Axelsen Affiliation(s): Astronomical Association of Queensland; Variable Stars South; American Association of Variable Star Observers Session details: Sunday, 2026-04-05 03:30:00 Abstract This is a lighthearted trip across about 20 years of amateur astronomical activities, mostly variable star observing. It starts with visual estimates of the magnitudes of variable stars, moves on to photoelectric…