Keeping the Dream Alive

Presenter(s): Clare Williams

Affiliation(s): President, Canberra Astronomical Society

Session details: Saturday, 2026-04-04 04:30:00

Abstract

This is not a technical presentation, but rather a lookback at what has happened to the interest in astronomy and space exploration since the heady days of the Apollo Program in the 20th century. It focusses on the importance of outreach to keep the dream of man in space alive in the 21st century.

Biography

Clare Williams is the current President of the Canberra Astronomical Society (CAS) and has a 40 year association with it. She worked for 19 years at the Canberra Space Dome and Observatory (AKA the Canberra Observatory and Planetarium) initially as a casual astronomer, then as the Assistant Director and ultimately as the Head Astronomer and Planetarium Manager. She was also the Astronomer and Lecturer with Road City Astronomers, a mobile astronomy exhibition), where she specialised in outreach. She also worked as an editorial assistant for astronomy publications including Sky & Space and Southern Sky magazines.