Australian-born NASA astronaut Dr Andy Thomas will be speaking at Curtin University on September 14 about his time in space, in what will be his only public lecture in Perth.

Astronomers have found two large planets as well as a possible "super-Earth-size" planet.

Astronomers believe they have discovered the origin of our universe’s first super-massive black holes, which formed some 13 billion years ago.

A new study shows that asteroids seem to have a life of their own.

Horizon – The Planetarium is preparing for a mysterious event tonight on the atmospheric phenomenon known as ‘red sprites’. There are just a few seats left so read on to find out how you can be part of the mystery.

An international CSIRO-led team of astronomers has developed a new way to weigh the planets in our Solar System. 

New images from NASA reveal our Moon has actually shrunk.

To much surprise, astronomers have deteced gamma rays from a nova for the first time.

Stargates, wormholes and other portals in time and space will not get aliens here any quicker, according to WA science communicator John Jacob.

NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) spacecraft mapping mission has not only yielded intriguing new studies about our solar system but has sparked lively debate.

IBEX. Image: NASA

Throughout National Science Week astronomers from the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research will hit the road to help people ‘Tune In’ to radio astronomy.

Astronomers from the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) joined a historic Australia-China Commonwealth Roundtable on Astronomy at the Shanghai Expo last Monday.

Scientists have discovered that Saturn’s aurora, an ethereal ultraviolet glow which illuminates Saturn’s upper atmosphere near the poles, pulses roughly once per Saturnian day.

Astronomers using ESO’s VLT have for the first time obtained a 3D view of the distribution of the innermost material expelled by a recently exploded star.

For high school students interested in pursuing science or astronomy there will be a particularly special presentation at the UWA Open Day.

The Perth Observatory Volunteers group is calling on the public to help them continue to run the public night viewing sessions in Bickley – applications close soon so stand up and be counted.

An opportunity exists for one student and one teacher from each state to attend the Asia Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum and all it takes is a little creativity.

International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research astronomer Dr Kenji Bekki is being lauded for his groundbreaking discovery in star formation. 

Horizon – the Planetarium will present a spectacular event this month, known as “Astra Musica”, launching you out of the Solar System with sound, image and imagination.

The State's beloved observatory at Gingin is getting a massive overhaul, in what will be one of the most exciting projects for WA astronomy lovers this year.

Australian researchers will help prevent collisions between satellites and space debris thanks to funding from the Australian Space Research Program (ASRP).

A researcher at the University of Sheffield has discovered the most massive stars ever found.

Quantum memory takes a quantum leap, thanks to Australian National University researchers.

An international team of researchers has uncovered a cosmological anomaly and are now trying to determine if it is an uncanny coincidence or a vital clue to understanding the origins of our Universe.

Four young interns from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, are spending 10 weeks at UWA's Gravitational Wave Research Laboratories and the Gravity Discovery Centre in Gingin working on what is described as physics' most exciting frontier.

The WA public have a chance to get involved in the State's expanding astronomy arena by taking part in two massive surveys.

Several weeks ago Dallas Bruce was awarded the Parkes Telescope Scholarship, allowing her to participate in the "Astronomy From The Ground Up" program and now Ms Bruce shares her experience with Astronomy WA readers.

Last week, the Federal Government announced CSIRO will receive $47.3 million for the development of solar and geothermal energy technologies to power a radio-astronomy observatory and its supporting computer centre.

A spectacular new image of the Sculptor Galaxy, NGC 253, has been released.

For the first time, scientists have been able to observe matter falling into super massive black holes.

University of Western Australia Press and Astronomy WA congratulate Mr Tony Lee, as the winner of our recent book competition to mark the publication of the acclaimed new astronomy guide - "From Here to Infinity".

Tonight is the final event for “Profs and Pints”, which promises to be a feast of the latest astronomy news from the top experts in the State.

Young people can have just as much fun pursuing physics and mathematical mysteries as winning the latest computer game challenge, according to Professor Roy Kerr.

Thanks to the good folks at NASA, you can now send your name and mugshot into the deep realms of space, when the shuttle missions launch later this year.

A McGill team looked at a Martian-like environment on Earth and found evidence of bacteria.

New research shows that the Earth and Moon must have formed much later – perhaps up to 150 million years after the formation of the solar system.

Researchers have found evidence of a giant asteroid - hidden under the sea.

Like bubbles bursting on the surface of a glass of champagne, ‘bubbles’ in our Galaxy burst and leave flecks of material in the form of clouds of hydrogen gas, researchers using CSIRO’s Parkes telescope have found.

Researchers at the University of Leicester are examining extraterrestrial material from a comet to assess the origins of our Solar System.

It's amazing what cleaning your glasses can reveal.

Scientists have boosted Western Australia’s chances of winning the $2.5 billion Square Kilometre Array by linking radio telescopes in Australia and New Zealand to create a dish 5500km in diameter.

Gravity Discovery Centre launched an exhibition featuring the works of acclaimed astrophotographer Roger Groom, at the Cosmology Gallery on June 5.

Emeritus Professor Roy Kerr, an astronomical legend in all senses of the phrase, is here in Perth delivering two lectures - addressing some of the most lauded research in astrophysics.

Two Australian tracking stations and one complex will be honoured by the United States tomorrow.

NASA’s ‘follow the water’ strategy to find life on other planets might need rethinking.

Find out the results of the research - and how an amateur Australian astronomer first detected Jupiter's impact zone.

A study from the University of California, Irvine has found the brightest galaxies tend to cluster in the busiest parts of universe.

US researchers have become the first to identify rare eclipsing stars.

In the past decade, robotic telescopes have turned astronomers' attention to strange exploding stars, 'one-offs' that may or may not point to new and unusual physics.

Two NASA astronauts hung out in space, literally.

Teams from 12 WA schools  took part in a competition of astronomical proportions on 5 May when Scitech hosted the annual Astronomy WA Challenge Cup.

Space shuttle Atlantis is scheduled to begin a 12-day flight to the International Space Station with a launch at 2:20 pm EDT on Friday, May 14, from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The STS-132 mission is Atlantis' final scheduled flight.

Do you want to go to the Moon? Google yourself there.

The first-ever discovery of ice and organic molecules on an asteroid may hold clues to the origins of Earth’s oceans and life 4 billion years ago.

Astronauts could one day tend their own crops on long space missions.

CSIRO has been awarded three of the Australian Research Council’s new Super Science Fellowships.

Congratulations to Mr Greg Downes of Karrinyup, winner of our book competition to mark the release of “Carnarvon and Apollo: One giant leap for a small Australian town”.

CSIRO telescope helps in understanding a cosmic mystery.

Herschel reveals the formation of never-seen-before stars.

Aussie students have a chance to use one of the world's biggest 'scopes.  

New research has further reduced the status of Pluto by suggesting there are many more dwarf planets in the Solar System than previously thought.

For the first time, astronomers have directly observed the mysterious dark companion in a binary star system that has puzzled skywatchers since the 19th century.

Could our universe be in a wormhole, which itself is part of a black hole, within a much larger universe? Good question.

Australian science teacher Mark Gargano will be participating in NASA’s Spaceward Bound expedition to Namibia later this month.

Astronomers, space buffs and historians are eagerly anticipating the release of a new book, celebrating the 40th anniversary of Carnarvon’s role in the rescue of the ill-fated Apollo 13.

Horizon – the Planetarium has a spectacular new space show, “Journey to the Stars”, featuring everything from red super giants to our very own Sun, so come down to witness the mysteries lurking in our night sky.

With data from Hubble, astronomers have confirmed the expansion of the universe.

Mimas' latest temperature map does, in fact, look like Pac-man.

Swinburne University of Technology astronomers are searching for the most elusive waves in the universe – Einstein’s gravitational waves.

The Large Hadron Collider has fired up, breaking the world record for energy at 3.5 trillion electron volts.

This Saturday, March 27, will be one of the biggest astro dates of the season, featuring Big ‘Scopes at Joondalup Festival, Stars n Tanks in Fremantle and Earth Hour at Gingin Observatory, so grab the kids and mark the calendar.

Scientists have found a massive galaxy creating stars like our sun up to 100 times faster than the modern-day Milky Way.

UWA students are exploring the universe with incredible research in gravitational wave astronomy.

Thirty-seven years after its disappearance, we now know what happened to the russian rover, Lunokhod 2.

Giant filaments of cold dust stretching through our Galaxy are revealed in a new image from ESA’s Planck satellite.

An international team of scientists has discovered a new planet the size of Jupiter, known as CoRoT-9b.

Astronomy WA is pleased to announce Ms Dallas Bruce as the winner of the 2010 Astronomy and Space Education Scholarship.

Radio astronomers vying for the $3 billion Square Kilometre Array have achieved “first light” in remote pastoral country near Meekatharra in WA’s Mid-West.

Astronomers have come across what appear to be two of the earliest and most primitive supermassive black holes known.

Footage from the recent launch of NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) rocket amazed the world, featuring the shuttle piercing through a “sundog” or a parhelion, creating a sensational effect rarely captured on film.

New images from the recent flyby of Phobos, on 7 March, show Mars’ rocky moon in exquisite detail.

An international team led by Yale University has, for the first time, measured the mass of a type of supernova thought to belong to a unique subclass and confirmed that it surpasses what was believed to be an upper mass limit.

Thanks to CSIRO, the Australian mining industry will soon benefit from what we know about mining...on the Moon.

2010 looks set to be a big year for Australia’s international role in space research, with the University of Western Australia’s Zadko project getting the year started with a big bang.

A panel has confirmed the asteroid theory of the dinosaur extinction.

Scientists have found evidence of a "catastrophic event" they believe was responsible for halting the birth of stars in a galaxy in the early Universe.

An analysis of more than 70,000 galaxies demonstrates that the universe – at least up to a distance  of 3.5 billion light years from Earth – plays by the rules set out 95 years ago by Albert Einstein in his General Theory of Relativity.

Former lunar module pilot for Apollo 11, Buzz Aldrin, recently touted his vision to send humans to Mars by 2019, in an opinion piece featuring on AOL News.

A new report launched by the Institute of Physics explains how new technological advances have seen the discovery of more than 400 exoplanets to date, a number expected to rise to thousands in the next few years.

Astronomers have discovered a relic from the early universe - a star that may have been among the second generation of stars to form after the Big Bang.

An historic milestone was reached recently in Australia’s bid to host the Square Kilometre Array telescope – a future international radio telescope that will be the world’s largest and most sensitive.

Using data from a NASA radar that flew aboard India's Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft, scientists have detected ice deposits near the moon's north pole.

Astronomers from the US and Europe have used a gravitational lens a distant, light-bending clump of dark matter, to make a new estimate of the Hubble constant, which determines the size and age of the universe.

Western Australia is poised to play a key strategic role in global attempts to understand the origins of the universe, after the official launch of a multi-million dollar southern hemisphere gravitational wave observatory project at the University of Western Australia.

On Wednesday, ESO released a dramatic new image of NGC 346, the brightest star-forming region in our neighbouring galaxy, the Small Magellanic Cloud, 210 000 light-years away towards the constellation of Tucana (the Toucan).

Planet WASP-12b, residing just outside our Solar System, is doomed – by its own star.

Research scientists from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have broken some serious ground in measuring the age of cometary material.

Solar scientists and astronomers have developed several internet sites hosting live cosmic projects, requesting the help of you and me in order to detect solar radiation and cosmic events.

A project led by The University of Western Australia will examine ways to motivate students to study science in the face of an anticipated worldwide shortfall in scientists.

Combined computing power of the MilkyWay@Home project recently surpassed the world’s second fastest supercomputer.

Researchers from the Institute for Ecological Chemistry in Neuherberg, Germany, have found new and previously unrecognised organic compounds from the famous Murchison meteorite that landed in Australia more than 40 years ago.

On February 16, the Mars Express began a series of flybys of Phobos, the largest moon of Mars.

Imagine finding a living dinosaur in your backyard. Astronomers have found the astronomical equivalent of prehistoric life in our intergalactic backyard: small, ancient galaxies that have waited 10 billion years to come together.

A Canadian researcher is turning heads and baffling brains with the release of new research findings describing his work on the detection of dark matter.

A truly unique event will be happening in Fremantle this March, combining stars…and tanks.

CSIRO’s Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) is well on target, as construction

Construction of CSIRO's Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) radio telescope has begun in Western Australia. Image courtesy CSIRO.

Be a part of the Astronomy WA Challenge Cup this May, an annual secondary school event, where students participate in Space Science activities throughout the day.

Anglo-Australian Observatory astronomer-in-charge Professor Fred Watson has been appointed as a Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia this week, for services to astronomy.

After six years of unprecedented exploration of the Red Planet, NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Spirit no longer will be a fully mobile robot.

We often get queries about interesting lights occurring in the night sky, so our resident astronomer Jacquie Milner explains some of the possibilities our Western Australian star gazers might be witnessing.

“Crazy” and “cool” are two of the words Michigan State University astronomer Megan Donahue

Rare double-tailed gas cloud. Photo courtesy of the Chandra X-Ray Observatory

Researchers from The Australian National University have found that the universe is 30 times more

Image courtesy NASA

A meteorite has impacted a doctor’s office in Lorton, Virginia in the US this week.

On November 13, the European Space Agency's comet orbiter spacecraft, Rosetta, swooped by

Rosetta Orbiter. Image courtesy NASA JPL

ESO has just released a stunning new image of the vast cloud known as the Cat’s Paw Nebula or

Cat's Paw Nebula. Image courtesy ESO.

Since last month, hundreds of thousands of people have been dazzled by The Known Universe, a truly magnificent new film produced by the American Museum of Natural History.

CSIRO has announced Dr Philip Diamond as the new chief of the Astronomy and Space Sciences Division.

As we approach NASA’s Day of Remembrance next week, Astronomy WA features some of the events which shaped space history as we recollect both the triumphs and tragedies of the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Here's an easy way to check the current Moon phase through the click of a button.

For more than two decades, the cold dark matter theory has been used by cosmologists to explain how the smooth universe born in the big bang more than 13 billion years ago evolved into the filamentary, galaxy-rich cosmic web that we see today.

Astronomers from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and other institutions, using the

Image courtesy: L. Calcada, ESO

Two University of Iowa researchers have made the first direct radio image of a stellar coronal loop at a star, other than the sun.

Beginning Jan. 18, NASA's Mars Odyssey orbiter will listen for possible, though improbable, radio transmissions from the Phoenix Mars Lander, which completed five months of studying an arctic Martian site in November 2008.

The European Southern Observatory is planning to build a next generation optical and near-infrared telescope known as OWL, referring to both its comparison to an owl’s keen vision – and as an

OWL artists impression. Image: Courtesy ESO

An international research project involving the University of Adelaide has revealed that the magnetic

Milky Way. Image: Mark Garlick

Saturn's largest moon, Titan, looks to be the only place in the solar system—aside from our home

Saturn's moon 'Titan' at top right. Image: NASA

We speak to many teachers who are interested in getting their students more involved in astronomy and stargazing. However, it can be hard to know where to start and what to do.

Astronomy WA reminds teachers from around the State about our "Earth and Beyond Modules", which can be fascinating for both you and the students!

Spectacular satellite images suggest that Mars was warm enough to sustain lakes three billion years ago, a period that was previously thought to be too cold and arid to sustain water on the surface, according to research published today in the journal Geology.

NASA's Kepler space telescope, designed to find Earth-size planets in the habitable zone of sun-

This artist's concept shows a cloudy Jupiter-like planet that orbits very close to its fiery hot star.Image courtesy: NASA/JPL-Caltech/T. Pyle (SSC)

For couples who love the stars - and each other, Gravity Discovery Centre is hosting a very special night for Valentine's Day.

In association with the Launch of the Australian International Gravitational Observatory (AIGO) project, UWA invites you to explore the dark side of the Universe soon to be revealed by gravitational wave detectors on earth and in space.

We witnessed some incredible images across the field of astronomy last year but one standout was

Image:Cassini captures Saturn. Courtesy: NASA

As the CSIRO starts to ramp up construction of the infrastructure for the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory (MRO), 2010 is going to be a big year for the MRO and the two major projects at the Observatory, the CSIRO-led Australian SKA Pathfinder (ASKAP) telescope and the MIT-led Murchison Widefield Array (MWA).

Horizon - the Planetarium presents a fascinating journey, perfect for the family during the holidays.

In the new blockbuster Avatar, humans visit the habitable - and inhabited - alien moon called Pandora.

"If Pandora existed, we potentially could detect it and study its atmosphere in the next decade," said Lisa Kaltenegger of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA).

So far, planet searches have spotted hundreds of Jupiter-sized objects in a range of orbits. Gas giants, while easier to detect, could not serve as homes for life as we know it. However, scientists have speculated whether a rocky moon orbiting a gas giant could be life-friendly, if that planet orbited within the star's habitable zone (the region warm enough for liquid water to exist).

"All of the gas giant planets in our solar system have rocky and icy moons," said Kaltenegger. "That raises the possibility that alien Jupiters will also have moons. Some of those may be Earth-sized and able to hold onto an atmosphere."

Kepler looks for planets that cross in front of their host stars, which creates a mini-eclipse and dims the star by a small but detectable amount. Such a transit lasts only hours and requires exact alignment of star and planet along our line of sight. Kepler will examine thousands of stars to find a few with transiting worlds.

Once they have found an alien Jupiter, astronomers can look for orbiting moons, or exomoons. A moon's gravity would tug on the planet and either speed or slow its transit, depending on whether the moon leads or trails the planet. The resulting transit duration variations would indicate the moon's existence.

Once a moon is found, the next obvious question would be: Does it have an atmosphere? If it does, those gases will absorb a fraction of the star's light during the transit, leaving a tiny, telltale fingerprint to the atmosphere's composition.

The signal is strongest for large worlds with hot, puffy atmospheres, but an Earth-sized moon could be studied if conditions are just right. For example, the separation of moon and planet needs to be large enough that we could catch just the moon in transit, while its planet is off to one side of the star.

Kaltenegger calculated what conditions are best for examining the atmospheres of alien moons. She found that alpha Centauri A, the system featured in Avatar, would be an excellent target.

"Alpha Centauri A is a bright, nearby star very similar to our Sun, so it gives us a strong signal" Kaltenegger explained. "You would only need a handful of transits to find water, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and methane on an Earth-like moon such as Pandora."

"If the Avatar movie is right in its vision, we could characterize that moon with JWST in the near future," she added.

While alpha Centauri A offers tantalizing possibilities, small, dim, red dwarf stars are better targets in the hunt for habitable planets or moons. The habitable zone for a red dwarf is closer to the star, which increases the probability of a transit.

Astronomers have debated whether tidal locking could be a problem for red dwarfs. A planet close enough to be in the habitable zone would also be close enough for the star's gravity to slow it until one side always faces the star. (The same process keeps one side of the Moon always facing Earth.) One side of the planet then would be baked in constant sunlight, while the other side would freeze in constant darkness.

An exomoon in the habitable zone wouldn't face this dilemma. The moon would be tidally locked to its planet, not to the star, and therefore would have regular day-night cycles just like Earth. Its atmosphere would moderate temperatures, and plant life would have a source of energy moon-wide.

"Alien moons orbiting gas giant planets may be more likely to be habitable than tidally locked Earth-sized planets or super-Earths," said Kaltenegger. "We should certainly keep them in mind as we work toward the ultimate goal of finding alien life."

Click here to visit the original release.

It has been an incredible year for astro-lovers, celebrating the International Year of Astronomy and Astronomy WA would like to thank you for your support.

Astronomers are still stumped to explain how some Sun-like stars vary in brightness at the end of their lives.

Astronomers have discovered the second super-Earth exoplanet for which they have determined the mass and radius, giving vital clues about its structure. It is also the first super-Earth where an atmosphere has been found.

Australian astronomers have released the first set of data from the first project to look at the effects of “dark energy” halfway back in the Universe's lifetime.

About 550 light-years from Earth, a star like our Sun is writhing in its death throes.

The International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) is at the forefront of Square Kilometre Array science and can now deliver its news straight to your inbox.

The latest anzSKA newsletter is now available, for all the latest news and information regarding the progress of Square Kilometre Array activities both here and in New Zealand.

A new Division, CSIRO Astronomy and Space Science (CASS), has been formed bringing together CSIRO's radio astronomy capabilities (the Australia Telescope National Facility), NASA Operations (including the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex), CSIRO Space Sciences and Technology; and the CSIRO Boeing Advisor.

An international team of planet hunters has found four new planets orbiting two nearby stars that are very similar to the Sun. These discoveries point the way to the detection of potentially habitable worlds within a few years.

While the 2009 International Year of Astronomy may be ending, love for astro-podcasting certainly isn't with the decision to continue the IYA project, "365 Days of Astronomy".

Ever wondered what you would ask if you could talk to an astronaut? Dumbleyung Primary School students did get to speak to an astronaut – while he was still in space!

Dumbleyung Primary School made WA history last month when students had the opportunity to speak directly to an International Space Station (ISS) astronaut.

If you're stuck for gift-giving this Christmas, Gin Gin Observatory have gift vouchers available for the most discerning astronomy-minded loved ones.

Congratulations to all the 2009 Space Trail Winners!

For Perth astronomers, the release of the 2010 Almanac will provide the means to get ready for next year's significant astronomy events.

A PhD student from Cardiff University's School of Physics and Astronomy is on a mission – to connect space with the likes of myspace.

Thousands of people came down to the 2009 Astrofest, making the day and night a massive success and a brilliant way to celebrate space in the International Year of Astronomy. Here we bring all the highlights, competition winners and photos from the astronomical event.

The Federal Government has recently launched the Australia Space Research Program (ASRP), to develop the nation’s capability to fund and support space-related innovation.

The original and possibly only set of “moon dust” data tapes from the 1960s lunar landings are held here in WA and are set to provide information on the effects of moon dust for future missions.

Ahead of this year’s astronomy festival, ‘Astrofest’, Professor Fred Watson gives participants a sneak preview of his evening talk on the bizarre and continuing saga of Pluto’s demotion from planet to dwarf-planet.

Dumbleyung Primary school children will be talking to astronauts in space on Thursday, in the first ever event of its kind in WA.

New research adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting the Red Planet once had an ocean.

Indigenous Australian art provides a new source of information about how early Australians interpreted the night sky, according to a new study by CSIRO astrophysicist Professor Ray Norris.

Are you passionate about science? Are you a teacher that would like to find out more and be involved with real science fieldwork? Don't mind getting dirty on professional developments and enjoy visiting and researching in remote locations... then look no more – Spaceward Bound is coming!

Thank you to all the creative minds who entered into the Astrofest Art and Model Competition, we have some awesome entries to display so take a look at what we have received from your imaginations!

In one week, iVEC, the hub of advanced computing in the state, will host a “Radio Astronomy ICT Briefing” on the Australian SKA Pathfinder and related projects that may provide opportunities for local ICT companies.

Astronomers will tie together the largest collection of the world's radio telescopes ever assembled to work as a single observing tool in a project aimed at improving the precision of the reference frame scientists use to measure positions in the sky.

NASA and Microsoft Corp. of Redmond, Wash., have collaborated to create a Web site where Internet users can have fun while advancing their knowledge of Mars.

Evidence for a thin veil of carbon has been found on the neutron star in the Cassiopeia A supernova remnant. This discovery, made with NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, resolves a ten-year mystery surrounding this object.

The neutron star at the center of Cas A is found to have an ultra-thin carbon atmosphere. Image Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/Southampton/W. Ho et al.; Illustration: NASA/CXC/M.Weiss

Astronomers, conducting the broadest survey to date of galaxies from about 800 million years after the Big Bang, have found 22 early galaxies and confirmed the age of one by its characteristic hydrogen signature at 787 million years post Big Bang.

Dust samples collected by high-flying aircraft in the upper atmosphere have yielded an unexpectedly rich trove of relicts from the ancient cosmos, report scientists from the Carnegie Institution.

 Some impressive images have been captured by NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) and are available for viewing at The Boston Globe's news website.  

An impressive array of well-respected speakers will be delivering astro-talks throughout the day. A schedule of the presentations is below, so you can make sure you don't miss a beat.

A detailed picture of the seeds of structures in the universe has been unveiled by an international team co-led by a Cardiff University scientist.

Astronomers have tracked down a gigantic, previously unknown assembly of galaxies located

This 3D illustration shows the position of the galaxies and reveals the extent of this gigantic structure. The galaxies located in the newly discovered structure are shown in red. Galaxies that are either in front or behind the structure are shown in blue. Image credit: ESO/L. Calçada/Subaru/National Astronomical Observatory of Japan/M. Tanaka

Want a big read? The Square Kilometre Array Design Reference Mission: SKA-mid and SKA-lo document has been made available to the public, detailing 120 pages of SKA related information.

New Tel Aviv University technology combines sophisticated sensors in orbit with sensors on the ground and in the air to create a “Hyperspectral Remote Sensor” (HRS), giving advance warnings about water contamination after a forest fire, alert authorities of a pollution spill long before a red flag is raised on earth, or tell people in China where a monsoon will strike.

Astrophysicists have created the largest-ever computer model of an expanding, accelerating universe to help scientists understand both dark matter and dark energy, two cosmic constituents that remain a mystery.

The 2009 International Year of Astronomy Secretariat are imploring budding, professional and amateur astrophotographers to send in their images, to be used on IYA2009 material.

Recent data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory satellite has confirmed a galaxy cluster, first discovered in 2006 by the United Kingdom Infrared Telescope (UKIRT), is in fact, the most distant to ever be detected so far.

Thirty-two new exoplanets have been discovered by the High Accuracy Radial Velocity Planet Searcher.

NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft has made it possible for scientists to construct the first comprehensive sky map of our solar system and its location in the Milky Way galaxy. The new view will change the way researchers view and study the interaction between our galaxy and sun.

Earlier this year, Trinity College student Marcus Bunn was chosen to represent Australia and his school at the Houston 'United Space School'. Read all about Marcus' trip of a lifetime, in his own words.

NASA's Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite, or LCROSS, created twin impacts on the moon's surface early Friday in a search for water ice. Scientists will analyze data from the spacecraft's instruments to assess whether water ice is present.

If you are interested in participating in the 2009 Astrofest Astrophotography Competition but need some inspiration, or you just love astrophotography, then take a look at some of the most spectacular visions captured by Russell Croman.

The 2009 Astrofest Astrophotography Competition Gallery. The Gallery is now up for viewing the spectacular entries in this year's Astrofest Astrophotography Competition, judged by John Goldsmith.

Entry has closed for the 2009 Astrofest Astrophotography Competition and the stunning imagery can be viewed at the online gallery. Thanks to all who participated!

Indigenous artists have joined star stories to highlight the deep connections to the sky at a Curtin University exhibition titled Ilgarijiri - things belonging to the sky.

Astrofest is set to be the astronomy event of the year! Coinciding with the International Year of Astronomy, this astronomy festival of epic proportions will be a celebration of Australian science, today and in the future.

France and the U.S have signed agreements for civil space cooperation, involving several missions.

NASA scientists are marveling over the extent of ruffles and dust clouds revealed in the rings of Saturn during the planet's equinox last month.

The Australia Telescope National Facility is a Division of CSIRO that operates and develops the Australia Telescope as a facility that can be used by researchers from institutions in Australia and all over the world.

How long has it been since you visited Horizon - The Planetarium? If the answer is too long, or even never, then it's time you had a look through the spectacular and visionary presentations on offer. Let us bring the stars to you...

IBM was both excited and proud to announce a partnership with Western Australia’s International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) today, according to IBM managing director of Australia and New Zealand, Glen Boreham.

An international team of researchers has debunked one of astronomy's long held beliefs about how stars are formed, using a set of galaxies found with CSIRO’s Parkes radio telescope.

ASKAP, being developed for a site in Western Australia, is expected to be fully operational in 2013. Construction is due to start later this year.

The Australian SKA Pathfinder (ASKAP) has its work cut out for it after CSIRO announced the first 10 major projects the telescope will undertake when it is launched in 2013. 

As a high school student, do you ponder the stars? Do you wonder about the expanding Universe? Or maybe you’re just great at maths! If you have stars in your eyes, following a career in astronomy could lead you to some fascinating places.

Astronomy WA congratulates Dr Kenji Bekki who is joining the University of Western Australia (UWA) radio astronomy team, after receiving a prestigious national Future Fellowship.

Space Trail 2009 was an incredible success! Thanks to all who organised and participated in the fun and fascination.

The European Space Agency (ESA) have shot the first ever close-up white dwarf star and a companion star, that could become a supernova in a few million years.

The high-resolution camera on NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has returned a dramatic oblique view of the Martian crater that a rover explored for two years.

IT was not only academics and dignitaries enjoying the launch of the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) on Tuesday but also students from across the state, who witnessed the remarkable opportunities presented by the new Centre and its support for the Square Kilometre Array.

A stellar cast of dignitaries, academics and school students gathered at the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) launch on Tuesday, to mark one of the greatest collaborative achievements in the State.

Strong demand for scientists in coming decades makes it vital that Australia’s teachers understand Square Kilometre Array (SKA) science, the Hon Kim Carr said as he launched a new resource for science teachers.

The International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) website is has gone live - opening up massive capabilities for collaborative research, education, employment and global attention here in Perth.

Here’s a different day out for Dad on Fathers’ Day this year. A delicious meal out combined with a stargazing night at Gingin Observatory.

The International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research was launched to dignitaries, scientists, school students and the media on Tuesday at the University of Western Australia.

One of the highlights of the International Year of Astronomy lectures will be the public lecture event "The Astronomy Of Aboriginal Australians", coming up in September.

A Perth company known as SpaceTime is literally bringing the stars to children, by using both current and advancing technology to power a portable planetarium and a mobile telescope observatory.

In a phenomenal lecture on Wednesday night, renowned astrophysicist Dr Charley Lineweaver explored a question that continues to elude even the greatest contemporary minds – is there more than one universe?

As part of National Science Week, the Department of Innovation, Industry and Research have launched an initiative to send the public’s sms messages – to another planet!

Thanks to the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, we have some frequently asked questions about the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) project.

Australia is collaborating with institutions from around the world to develop The Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) by 2018.

On the last weekend of National Science Week 2009, it's all about the new $1M Zadko Telescope, on site at Gingin Observatory.

Scitech’s new “Horizon – the Planetarium” manager Carley Tillet ventured on an impressive trip in June to provide training at the Macau Science Centre.

During the International Year of Astronomy and the 40th anniversary of the first manned moon landing, UWA presents “Starlight, Celestial Vision of Second Life” featuring images from Perth astral photographer, John Goldsmith.

Astronaut Megan McArthur talks about her mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope at UWA, Friday August 14. 

We display phenomenal images of the space shuttle Endeavour and the International Space Station, from their solar transit on July 26.

If it is too cloudy to stargaze, do the next best thing - watch phenomenal celestial videos from your home with VideoJug's Astronomy and Space section.

The University of Western Australia is hosting a series of free public lectures to celebrate the UN International Year of Astronomy, coinciding with the Moon landing and the 400th anniversary of Galileo's telescope.

Forty years ago, at just before 1pm AEST, the first humans walked on the surface of the moon and Astronomy WA celebrates this  this 'astronomical' achievement with the Perth astro-community.

Astronomy WA is proud to report the University of Western Australia's Professor Lister Staveley-Smith has been named president of the Astronomical Society of Australia (ASA).

In an effort to be ever-informed and always curious, Astronomy WA use Yahoo Weather Service to find out the weather on Mars...literally.

Northbridge will be home to a stunning display of cosmophotography at the exhibition of Ray Palmer's work in celebration of the International Year of Astronomy at ABD The Gallery.

The first solid evidence of a new class of medium-sized black holes has been discovered in a distant galaxy by an international team of astronomers.

Artist's impression of the new source HLX-1, Image credit: Heidi Sageru

This time of year sees the inevitable email hoax claiming Mars will appear as large as the Moon. Not true!

CSIRO astronomers have revealed the hidden face of an enormous galaxy called Centaurus A, which emits a radio glow covering an area 200 times bigger than the full Moon.

Image: Ilana Feain, Tim Cornwell & Ron Ekers (CSIRO/ATNF). ATCA northern middle lobe pointing courtesy R. Morganti (ASTRON), Parkes data courtesy N. Junkes (MPIfR). Photo of the ATCA and Moon: Shaun Amy, CSIRO.

A new website is turning heads in the meteorological and astro community with its accurate weather forecasts, including the lowdown on all manner of cloud cover for stargazers struggling with poor visibility.

As the world prepares to celebrate 40 years since the moon landing, NASA’s orbiter has successfully entered orbit around the moon to pave the way for further exploration.

Artists from the State’s Mid-West have provided an impressive range of original works for an exhibition called ‘Ilgarijiri – things belonging to the sky’.

Students from across the State are capturing remarkable images of the sky, thanks to the Astronomy WA Student Research Project, hosted by Trinity College Observatory this year.

Curtin University astronomy student Mick Todd found a new asteroid through the Zadko telescope last month.

Due to two hydrogen leaks, the Endeavour launch has been pushed back to July 13, 2009.

Many stargazers know this month is an interesting time in the sky, especially as Saturn has special appeal right now.

 Want to know when the next shuttle mission will be landing? Need to know what comets are currently brighter than mag. 12? Or maybe you want to know why satellites are not visible during the day?

School students from around the state hit astronomical heights last week when they competed against teams from across the country in the Astronomy WA Challenge Cup.

Earth Hour 2009 – 8:30pm28^th March.The World’s Darkest Hour for a Brighter Future

Is it the Hobb Goblin? Is it the Incredible Hulk? No its Comet Lulin; more formally known as Comet C/2007 N3.

On this day, 445 years ago a rising star was born. Amongst Galileo's achievements and contributions to many scientific fields, he earned the title "Father of Modern Astronomy" following his first use of the telescope for astronomy.

With generous support from Astronomy WA, Gingin Observatory was able to host a visit from the internationally renowned astronomer, Fred Watson. A crowd of 30 enjoyed a presentation given by Fred along with some spectacular stargazing in early November.

Applications are now being sought, for Science teachers to become a part of the expedition team for Spaceward Bound Australia 2009. Mars Society Australia (MSA) and NASA will be conducting field research in the remote South Australian outback from the 4th to the 17th of July and an integral part of the programme is teacher education.

As well as getting in the field and assisting with research alongside leading NASA and MSA scientists, you will discuss, develop and take away a range of activities, resources and investigations for your high school Science classes. So if you have always wanted to know more about Geology, Astronomy and the exciting study of Astrobiology and how to bring these areas to your students with links to real investigations and studies along with some really good bragging rights for the staff room, check the MSA website out, follow the links and apply to become part of the 2009 expedition team. Don't hesitate, applications close for the 2009 programme on Friday, 12th of December.

Link to "Spaceward Bound article featured from the 23rd of October"

Link to Mars Society website

If you have any additional questions, please email the MSA Education Director at; Gargano.mark@cathednet.wa.edu.au

Astronomy WA partnership organisation Gingin Observatory was amongst the winners at the Belmont Small Business Awards 2008.

If you wish to learn about the latest in Earth & Planetary Science techniques from leading NASA researchers and obtain skills in being able to deliver this in your classroom then read ahead;

A visit by Dr Martin Hendry during a stargazing event at Gingin Observatory late last week surprised and entertained locals and visitors alike.

In preparation for next year's International Year of Astronomy, Dr Hendry is visiting Australia to forge links between the University of Glasgow, where he is Senior Lecturer in Astronomy, and astronomical facilities in Western Australia.

AstronomyWA heads to Northam, Geraldton and Kalgoorlie next month to deliver events for teachers, students and the general public. Funded by ASISTM (Australian School Innovation in Science, Technology and Mathematics this regional tour will include public lectures, workshops for teachers and observing on the oval events delivered by  eminent astronomer and science communicator Professor Fred Watson , Rob Hollow, Education Officer for CSIRO and Pete Wheeler, Astronomy WA coordinator and manager of Scitech's planetarium in Perth.

Phoenix, the robust little lander that has been on Mars for over 150 days already, was subject to some turbulent weather but handled it well. A 37,000 square-kilometer Martian dust storm moved towards the little lander near the Mars North Pole, luckily it had weakened considerably before it reached Phoenix on Oct 11.

The media has been buzzing over the Large Hadron Collider - here's a few links to information you might find useful while educating yourself about the LHC!

You can send your name out into space as part of the NASA Kepler mission.

The Mid West Development Commission has joined forces with Western Australia’s Chief Scientist, Professor Lyn Beazley to convene the inaugural Mid West Science Summit.

The Mars Phoenix lander has recorded some great data, both visual and scientific, and here is a look at the midnight sun as seen by Phoenix on the surface of Mars.

Want to explore the universe in one day?

Western Australia will play a key role in observing the close encounter between the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Rosetta spacecraft and asteroid (2867) Steins on September 5.

Western Australian school students are now able to track potentially dangerous asteroids and distant star bursts using the State's biggest optical telescope.

You can now get up close and personal with Makemake at Horizon - the Planetarium.

A proposal to place mirrors in the sky to reflect sunlight away from earth won't give back the climate we had before, says a new study.

Want to explore the universe in one day?

'Tis the rainy season here in WA and it appears that water keeps on showing up elsewhere as well!

Governement funding cuts have struck hard at the Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics, leading to expectations that it would have to close, but the eMerlin project looks to be giving the home of the famous Lovelle telescope another chance.

When you look up at the darkened sky and gaze at the stars, some seem to be blinking, and you wonder why. All of a sudden, you can see a shooting star... The moon is in an eclipse, and a feeling of wonder overcomes you. There is so much up there to learn about and enjoy, and it is not difficult or expensive to become involved. - Wikihow article.

Two WA teachers were recently awarded a scholarship to attend a brilliant three day workshop held in May this year at the Parkes Radio Telescope. Read about their adventures and check out the pictures from the workshop!

Can we build a telescope out of the moon? What is our Chief Scientist doing at SETI? These and more in our latest news post.

This year’s Astronomy WA Challenge Cup saw 20 teams, from 16 different schools, descend upon Scitech for a day of space and astronomy related activities and challenges.

We know, we know, every news site with any connection to astronomy or general science has been buzzing about the Phoenix Lander. We've already done it once. Just in case you haven't seen them already though, HiRISE has taken some stunning images!

The Phoenix lander has touched down on Mars successfully - landing on an almost perfectly flat surface - making it the third successful soft landing on Mars in history.

The Universe is actually twice as bright than was previously thought, according to research conducted by a team of astronomers from Australia and Europe.

Astronomy April Fools, useful solar system scale conversions and big questions about an even bigger universe answered in our space science highlights this month.

A professional learning opportunity has become available to a fund a secondary Science teacher from WA to attend the “Astronomy from the Ground Up!” three-day workshop from the 9th - 11th May 2008.

The first Australian high school teachers to participate in the National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) Spaceward Bound (SB) program will be travelling to the Desert Studies Centre, a space-related research station of the California State University located near Zzyzx in the Mojave Desert, California, on 4-11 April.

The State Government has announced a new multi-million dollar initiative to boost Australia’s chances of winning the world’s largest radio astronomy project - the $2 billion Square Kilometre Array (SKA).

Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, will promote Australia's bid to host the world's largest and most powerful telescope, the $2 billion Square Kilometre Array (SKA), to Europe's science and research leaders.

Not only is it already the year of the Reef, Frog, Potato, Scout (and on February 7th, the Rat) 2008 is also being heralded by Virgin Galactic as the Year of the Spaceship.

What you will see at night during the last two weeks of January, courtesy of the Southern Skywatch.

Giant space faring spiders, space toilets and Christmas cards for astronauts are amongst the offerings we bring you as a gift from Astronomy WA for this holiday season!

Southern Skywatch for December is online and there's some great things to see in the sky these summer holidays!

Tenagra WA, a suburban observatory, has moved from finding supernovae to locating Near Earth Objects (NEOs), covering the "gaps" in the sky left by other observers.

Have you spotted comet Holmes in the sky yet? It may not be visible for much longer. Although, if you do miss out, don't give up - it may shine again!

Last Wednesday a group of science teachers got to grips with assembling and operating a telescope at our “Observing on the Oval” event. Check out our teacher feedback from the event.

Australia - keen to get closer to the sun?
Credit: NASA/NSSDC

AU $100 million national plan is being drafted to build an Australian presence in space by the national space science committee of the Australian Academy of Science.  

The plan intends to push Australia from its focus on pure terrestrial astronomy to being a more active participant in the research going on above our atmosphere.

We'll start with a bang, by sending a spacecraft into the outer layers of the sun!

It's purpose? To discover what's behind solar winds, and what heats the sun's corona. It's called the Sundiver mission.

We'll have to aim to do it in the next ten years, so we've a chance of beating NASA and the ESA to the punch. A bit of healthy competition will certainly foster innovation.

Federal Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, today announced funding of $350,000 for Scitech and Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre in Canberra, to develop education resources for one of Australia’s Big Science projects, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA). 

Want to know what to expect when you look up into the sky tonight, or where the sun will be on your birthday? There's a Plot afoot to help you find out... 

Perth Observatory Volunteer Group is looking for volunteers to show people the stars with the Observatory’s large telescopes. 

High-resoultion images released from the Apollo lunar archive - 1.3GB of moon at your fingertips! 

A scorching-hot gas planet beyond our solar system is steaming up with water vapor, according to new observations from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope. 

GLOBE at Night map
Credit: GLOBE At Night

During the 2007 event there were 8,491 observations reported from 60 GLOBE countries, almost doubling the observations from 2006. 

His first flight into space was aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1996. He made three more trips into space, including a space walk and a long stay on the Russian MIR Space Station. 

NASA announced last week that it has decided on June 8 as the official launch date for the space shuttle Atlantis, for mission STS-117. 

As a team leader at CSIRO Exploration and Mining, Brent McInnes’s career is dedicated to finding and unlocking the valuable resources lying beneath Australia’s soil and seas. 

Horizon the planetarium and the New Horizons spacecraft share names in more than one way! 

Western Australia has moved its proposed site for the $2 billion Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio astronomy project. 

Take a look at the variety of media we've compiled on comet McNaught, including videos and photos taken by West Australians.

Anybody home? Astronomers may soon be able to check the nearest 1,000 stars for intelligent extra terrestrials - and the Square Kilometre Array could increase this to up to 100 million stars!

Students test out the Sun Spotter.

Teachers - allow your class to boldly go where no class has gone before.

The STS-116 is underway!
Credit: Kennedy Space Centre

With the first night space shuttle launch from NASA in four years, the announcement of evidence of water on Mars and a moon base planned for 2024, it’s been a busy week for space science!

Do you have school-aged children studying science? The Gravity Discovery Centre and Astronomy WA are proud to announce a new and exclusive education program all about astronomy.

Take a look at some photos of Mercury's transit last week from locations around the world. 

After more than a decade of fascinating discoveries, the Hubble Space Telescope will soon be given the new beginning it deserves.

Today's picture of the Universe as a complex, energetic and stunningly beautiful place has not been arrived at without much controversy. Over the years, the conduct of astronomers in dispute with one another has often been bizarre, and sometimes hilarious. Occasionally, their falling-out has reached monumental proportions. 

Australia and Southern Africa have been short-listed as the countries to host the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), a giant next-generation radio telescope being developed by scientists in 17 countries. 

Provisionally designated 2003 UB313, and nicknamed Xena by its discoverers, this newly discovered dwarf planet has been officially named Eris by the International Astronomical Union. The name was proposed by Mike Brown, a member of the team that made its discovery, and the name was accepted by the committee. In Greek lore, Eris is the goddess of discord and strife. Its moon has been named Dysnomia, the Daimon spirit of lawlessness.

Europe's first probe to the Moon crashed into the lunar surface at the weekend giving stargazers around the world an astronomical fireworks display. 

Seventy six years ago we went from eight planets to nine. Just recently we were expecting this number to climb up to twelve. Now, after many hours of discussion by over 2500 astronomers, we're back to eight again.

Students in remote parts of Western Australia will be able to experience the wonders of the night sky under a Federal Government program to engage more schools in science and innovation. 

An international panel has unanimously recommended that Pluto retain its title as a planet, and it may be joined by other undersized objects that revolve around the sun.

Mars hoax claims the planet will appear as large as the moon in the sky this month.
Image credits: Moon: T.A. Rector, I.P. Dell'Antonio, NOAO, AURA, NSF
Mars:J. Bell (Cornell U.), M. Wolff (SSI) et al., STScI, NASA

Observatories and educators have been fielding numerous queries about the bogus event, which apparently originated in 2003 before the opposition of Mars, where it appeared particularly brightly in the sky. During this time Mars came closer to the Earth than it had for 60, 000 years.

Mars will certainly not look as big as the moon in our skies this month, and in fact will be very low in the sky, visible only just after sunset.

However, Jupiter will be making quite an appearance during August, and with a pair of good binoculars you should be able to find both the planet and four of its moons.

Scientists using the European Space Agency's Mars Express orbiter have better defined Mars' past by mapping minerals on the surface of the planet. The work, published in the latest edition of the US journal Science, provides valuable clues to where life might have existed, or still exists, on Mars.

A crumbling comet rediscovered by astronomers at Perth Observatory in 1979 will provide an excellent view of cometary debris as it passes Earth this month. 

Australia's national science agency has signalled a shift of radio astronomy staff and infrastructure to WA following a new $7 million State Government funding package to secure the world's biggest radio telescope - the Square Kilometre Array.

Science writer Carmelo Amalfi joined the first Astronomy WA workshop for science teachers in Geraldton, where astronomers helped bring some of the mysteries of the universe down to desktop level.

The tiny West Australian town once famously described as “the end of the earth” is about to become the centre of the universe. Well, the universe as we know it. 

A false color look reveals subtle details on Enceladus that are not visible in natural color views.

For the last decade, astronomers have thought that the Andromeda galaxy, our nearest galactic neighbor, was rather different from the Milky Way. But a group of researchers have determined that the two galaxies are probably quite similar in the way they evolved, at least over their first several billion years.

A new image from NASA's Galaxy Evolution Explorer completes a multi-wavelength, neon-colored portrait of the enormous Cartwheel galaxy after a smaller galaxy plunged through it, triggering ripples of sudden, brief star formation.

A Japanese spacecraft has successfully landed on a far-away asteroid for a second time and almost certainly collected the first samples from such a celestial body, says Japan's space agency.

CSIRO scientist Dr Rob Hough talks about the discovery of a meteorite on the Nullabor Plain, touted by experts as another key event on the path toward the success of the Square Kilometre Array bid.

A 1960s tape recorder the size of a household fridge could be the key to unlocking valuable information from NASA's Apollo missions to the moon.

Einstein's elusive gravity waves will be detected within the next 10 to 20 years, according to Australian scientists George Hobbs and David Blair.

Meet Makemake (pronounced "Mah-ke Mah-ke") the newest dwarf planet to be named.

More evidence has been discovered that supports the idea that the star Gliese 581 may have more than one planet with temperatures supporting liquid water.

In a shock finding, astronomers using CSIRO's Parkes telescope have detected a huge burst of radio energy from the distant universe that could open up a new field in astrophysics.

A team of astrophysicists at The University of Western Australia today announced results from a new computer program that predicts when potentially dangerous bursts of gamma radiation may hit our planet.

An unusually symmetrical, bright red new star has been discovered by an Australian astronomer and his research team.

Astronomers using CSIRO's Parkes telescope in eastern Australia have detected radio “heartbeats” from a star that was not expected to have them.

Research teams still analysing data collected when the Deep Impact spacecraft smashed into the comet Tempel 1 last July are uncovering extraordinary details about the comet’s structure.

Astronomers of the University of Manchester's Jodrell Bank Observatory (UK) have led an international team which used the Parkes radio telescope in Sydney to find a new kind of cosmic object which sends out radio flashes. These flashes are very short and very rare: one hundredth of a second long, the total time the objects are visible amounts to only about one tenth of a second per day.

When astronomers using NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope turned their attention to a well-known cluster of galaxies called Stephan's Quintet, they were, quite simply, shocked at what they saw. There in the middle of the cluster, invisible to our eyes, lurked one of the biggest shock waves, or "sonic booms," ever seen. Astronomers hope that observing how galaxies generate such huge shock waves will lead to a better understanding of what powers the most luminous galaxies in the universe.

The space race is alive and well in the 21st century, as competition is starting to develop between Japan and the US to build the world's first ‘space elevator'. While it may seem the stuff of science fiction, as the technology required comes closer to reality Western Australia could play a key role in its creation.

NASA scientists are launching a solar sail into orbit this month to test whether spacecraft can use sunlight to propel them through space.

Researchers from the United States have discovered that breathing on the lunar surface could be hazardous to your health.

The Mars Phoenix Lander wants you to follow it on its scientific adventures.

Artist's concept of the Phoenix Mars lander
Image credit: NASA/JPL

NASA's Phoenix Mars lander is currently en route to the red planet and recently finished its first (and largest) course correction. But did you know it was launched on an incorrect trajectory intentionally?

A series of public lectures by the 2007 Selby Fellow, Professor Joseph Silk.

Brian Schmidt from ANU and his research team did it - and now they are being recognised with the Gruber Prize for Cosmology.

NASA has faced many difficult missions, but convincing US taxpayers to spend money on two kamikaze spacecraft to look for water on the Moon could be a tall order. Engineers plan to crash two vehicles into a crater at the lunar South Pole as a way of determining whether buried water ice could supply future astronauts. 

Two eclipses in two months! On the evening of February 9th, there will be a penumbral eclipse of the Moon.

Dr Steve Rawlings, Head of Astrophysics, Oxford University will present the lecture.

What are the consequences and the likelihood that a giant asteroid could plunge from the sky and collide with Earth? On this special evening, explore the possibilities that something like this could happen (the bad news and the good news), and what can be done about it.

Gingin Observatory will be taking one of their many telescopes along to this year’s Gingin Expo.

Gingin Observatory and Willowbrook Farm are hosting a special event on Anzac Day.

Many of us think that the heavens are serene and calm. However, most of the interesting things in the universe starting from the birth of the Universe happen during explosions.

Science Teachers, book your place now in this special professional learning opportunity brought to you by Astronomy WA.

A lecture on Supersymmetry theory presented by Professor Jim Gates on the 26th of March at UWA.

WA is becoming the centre for world astronomy research. The workshop is suitable for all science teachers with an interest in finding more about astronomy research in WA and how it can be used to stimulate students interest in science.

Earth Hour is coming on Friday, March 29th. Perth city will, for a moment, step back from its reputation of being the "city of lights".

It’s all systems go as the Astronomy WA Challenge Cup prepares for lift off in 2008.

See Saturn and its rings, Mars, the Moon and other wonderful objects of the superb Autumn sky through large telescopes on April 12th.

The opening of the Multicultural Cosmology Art Collection, at the new Cosmology Gallery is upon us - Sunday 9th March 2008.

SPICE at The University of Western Australia invites your students to participate in a Science taster.

OUT THERE! A SPICE Taster for Year 10s
A free exhibition focused on the Square Kilometre Array Radio Telescope.

The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) is a $1.8billion international mega-science project. It is a next-generation radio telescope that will be over fifty times more powerful than the world's largest existing telescope. Australia has been short-listed as one of the two sites identified as potential locations for the SKA.

A public lecture taking place this February given by Bryan Gaensler.

Have a loved one that you want to share the universe with this coming Valentine's Day? Or is there a special telescope in your life that needs a little attention? The Gravity Discovery Centre has your solution.

A list of all the current launch dates for 2008 from around the world.

Want to keep track of some of the space science events and planet sightings for 2008?

Summer night star viewing is well under way at the Gingin Observatory. As the summer nights warm up, it’s the perfect opportunity to drive only a short distance from Perth to the clear and dark night skies filled with the magic of the stars, planets, galaxies and much more.

A nearly full moon
Credit: NASA

The Gingin Observatory is pleased to welcome back a second visit from WA Astronomer, Peter Birch. 

We know the probability of intelligent life in the universe is greater than zero – after all, we’re here! 

The Royal Show isn't the only place to have fun these school holidays... check out the activities the Gravity Discovery Centre has on offer for the October break. 

If you’ve ever wanted to know more about the movement of the stars, the rotation of Earth and the techniques of how to view through a telescope, then this is the night for you. 

For the next month at Horizon the Planetarium you can see something no one ever has before - Aurora Borealis in three dimensions!

Professor Ron Ekers at last year's IAU conference

Find out in a one off special presentation in Horizon - the Planetarium on Tuesday, August the 21st at 7.15pm.

For a novel answer to a profound cosmological puzzle, join us for an evening with Sir Roger Penrose , one of the most exciting mathematicians of our age.

Read on to find out what's on at the Gravity Discovery Centre for the July school holidays, and find out about the GDC Fun Day this August. 

An overview of modern Astronomy and our quest to find the dawn of creation, presented by Professor Peter Quinn. 

Astronomy WA is seeking representatives from 20 schools to compete in an inaugural event of astronomical proportions to be held at Scitech on Friday the 8th of June. 

Explore the solar system and beyond this school holidays at the Gravity Discovery Centre. 

What an opportunity for school groups! Free transport to the Gravity Discovery Centre! Find out about this and more offered at the GDC over the coming months.

This is your chance to check out the brightest comet in West Australian skies for the last forty years!

Here’s a chance to be a NASA flight tester or an alternative energy scientist! The Gravity Discovery Centre has a fun packed family program during the Christmas holidays this year. 

The planet Mercury will appear to pass in front of the disc of the Sun on the morning of Thursday 9 November 2006. West Australians will be able to view the final half of the transit.

Scitech and Horizon - The Planetarium present Telescopic Roger, an astronomy comedy duo. 

Perth, 24-26 November, 2006

Science Teachers, this is a great opportunity to develop your knowledge of how to teach astronomy and space science in an exciting and engaging manner. During this exciting three-day residential weekend, you will;

The AAO's Anglo-Australian Telescope, opened in 1974.

• be taken on a tour of several facilities in and around Perth that cater for the needs of
  educators teaching astronomy & space science. (Including, Perth Observatory, the Gravitational Discovery Centre, Horizon - the
  Planetarium and the University of Western Australia.)
• be our guests at an event featuring the inimitable Professor Fred Watson (Astronomer
  in charge of the Anglo-Australian Observatory in NSW and recent winner of the 2006
  Eureka prize for science communication).
• learn and discuss the skills, techniques and methods used by a number of experienced
  and passionate secondary teachers, adept at teaching astronomy and space science to
  students.
• engage with Professor Fred Watson and discuss how seemingly quite complex
  astrophysical principles can be communicated to students of various learning levels.
• spend an evening doing some real astronomy and observing of the night sky.

The ninth planet in our Solar System, Pluto, has been demoted from its status as a “planet” to a ’Dwarf Planet’. In fond memory, the Gravity Discovery Centre is conducting Pluto’s Funeral.

Fun activites will occur throughout the day with the funeral procession commencing at 1.30pm. Well known WA Astronomer, Peter Birch will be presenting an interesting talk about the rise and fall of Pluto and he will also host the stargazing session at the SCCC that evening.

Where: The Gravity Discovery Centre

When: October 1st, 10.30am - 5.00pm

GDC Prices: Adults $15, Seniors $13, Kids $10

SCCC Prices: Adults $30, Seniors $25, Kids $15

On the evening of May 8 in this unique one-off event, Dr Mohri, Japan's first man in space will be talking live to an audience in Horizon the Planetarium, recounting his experiences as an astronaut aboard the space shuttle. Come and listen to one of the few people on the planet lucky enough to ever leave it! 

Australia is currently leading a world-wide effort to make the first direct detection of gravitational waves. 

In keeping with Perth Observatory's century-long tradition of involvement in science education initiatives they are hosting what is probably a professional observatory world first - a 'Comedy Sky Night' on March 25th.

Learn how to spot stars and constellations such as the Southern Cross and Scorpius and discover their Indigenous stories. Take part in the national light pollution survey and you could also win up to $2000 worth of ABC Shop goodies.

To celebrate 10 years of Southern Skywatch, they are holding a Sketching the Sky competition, closing July 1st.

Can you envision what the future might look like for humanity in space? Why not bring your vision to life and enter it in the National Space Society 2009 calendar contest?