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Schedule of Events & Activities
Welcome to the Draft Schedule of Events for the 2026 OzSky "Classic" Star Safari - your online guide to a week immersed in some of the darkest and most spectacular night skies on Earth. Held near Coonabarabran in New South Wales, this unique gathering brings together passionate observers from around the world to experience the finest treasures of the Southern Hemisphere. Each year's program is thoughtfully designed to balance inspiring daytime sessions with unforgettable nights under pristine, star-filled skies.
Throughout the week, participants can look forward to a dynamic mix of presentations, workshops, informal discussions, and, of course, extended observing sessions through world-class telescopes. Whether you are chasing elusive deep-sky objects, exploring southern showpieces for the first time, or simply enjoying camaraderie with fellow enthusiasts, this draft schedule outlines the rhythm of the week and helps you make the most of every clear, dark night.
Please note that this Schedule of Events is a draft and may be adjusted in the lead up to the event, and again as the week unfolds. Astronomy is, by nature, guided by weather, sky conditions, and opportunity - so flexibility is part of the adventure. Any updates or refinements will be reflected here as plans evolve.
As a useful reference, this Draft Schedule of Events may be read in conjunction with the Solar & Lunar Astro Almanac.
2026 OzSky "Classic" Star Safari
| Friday, March 13th, 2026 - Optional Earlybird Arrivals | Solar & Lunar Almanac | ||
| 10:00 | OPTIONAL Warrumbungle National Park visits - Park CLOSED from 3pm Sunday | ||
| 16:30 | Check-in: Early Arrivals check-in at Motel Reception | Motel Staff | |
| 18:00 | OPTIONAL Dining options - Either on-site or in town | ||
| 20:00 | INFORMAL Free-Range Observing Commences - Limited telescopes | Lachlan & Michael | |
| 20:00 | OPTIONAL Night Sky Show at Milroy Observatory - Bookings Required | Tom Reinert | |
| Saturday, March 14th, 2026 - OzSky 2026 Official Opening | Solar & Lunar Almanac | ||
| 10:00 | OPTIONAL Warrumbungle National Park visits - Park CLOSED from 3pm Sunday | ||
| 16:30 | Check-in: Arrive on-site and check-in at Motel Reception | Motel Staff | |
| 17:30 | Welcome & Introduction to OzSky 2026 | Lachlan MacDonald | |
| 18:00 | OPTIONAL Dining options - Either on-site or in town | ||
| 20:00 | Southern Sky Orientation & Guided Sky Tours | John Bambury | |
| 20:30 | Dark Out: Free-Range Observing Commences | John & Vello | |
| Sunday, March 15th, 2026 - Group Photo + OzSky BBQ Night | Solar & Lunar Almanac | ||
| 10:00 | OPTIONAL Warrumbungle National Park visits - Park CLOSED from 3pm TODAY | ||
| 13:00 | How to Align and Use the Argo Navis™ Digital Telescope Computer | Matt Bielski & Gary Kopff | |
| 14:30 | Southern Skies Eye Candy | John Bambury | |
| 16:00 | Horror Objects and How to Observe Them | Andrew Murrell | |
| 17:30 | Group Photo: Please wear your new OzSky T-Shirt | Everyone | |
| 18:00 | BBQ Dinner: OzSky Welcome Dinner (Free Aussie BBQ) | All Welcome | |
| 20:00 | Southern Sky Orientation & Guided Sky Tours | Vello Tabur | |
| 20:30 | Dark Out: Free-Range Observing Commences | Vello & David | |
| Monday, March 16th, 2026 | Solar & Lunar Almanac | ||
| 10:00 | Shooting Stars Part I: "Nightscapes - A Journey into Darkness" | Andrew Murrell & Matt Bielski | |
| 13:00 | The Apollo Astronauts | Michael Gorton | |
| 14:30 | The Good Ship Argo Navis (The Constellation) | Michael Prochoda | |
| 14:30 | Navigating the Universe with "Deep Sky Orienteering" | Vello Tabur | |
| 18:00 | OPTIONAL Dining options - Either on-site or in town | ||
| 20:00 | Southern Sky Orientation & Guided Sky Tours | David Batagol | |
| 20:30 | Dark Out: Free-Range Observing Commences | David & Gary | |
| 20:30 | Shooting Stars Part II: Using a DSLR for Nightscapes | Andrew Murrell | |
| Tuesday, March 17th, 2026 | Solar & Lunar Almanac | ||
| 10:00 | Shooting Stars Part III: Processing your Astro-Images | Andrew Murrell | |
| 13:00 | Visual Astronomy and the Use of Filters | John Bambury | |
| 14:30 | Visual Observing – What I’ve learned from over 50 years under the stars | Michael Prochoda | |
| 14:30 | Challenge Lists and Technology: Exploring the Cosmos with Digital Tools | Matt Bielski | |
| 18:00 | OPTIONAL Dining options - Either on-site or in town | ||
| 20:30 | Dark Out: Free-Range Observing Commences | Gary & Andrew | |
| Wednesday, March 18th, 2026 | Solar & Lunar Almanac | ||
| 10:00 | Mount Stromlo Observatory and Canberra Bushfires of 2003 | David Batagol | |
| 13:00 | Exploring the Small Magellanic Cloud | Andrew Murrell | |
| 14:30 | Cosmic Journeys: An Astronomer's Travel Log | Matt Bielski | |
| 16:00 | Stormscapes: The Art & Science of Storm Photography | Andrew Murrell | |
| 18:00 | OPTIONAL Dining options - Either on-site or in town | ||
| 20:30 | Dark Out: Free-Range Observing Commences | Andrew & Matt | |
| Thursday, March 19th, 2026 | Solar & Lunar Almanac | ||
| 10:00 | My 43 Years at the Texas Star Party | John Prince | |
| 13:00 | Blowing Bubbles: A Talk on Wolf Rayet Stars | Andrew Murrell | |
| 14:30 | Stars: The Death Cycle | John Bambury | |
| 16:00 | Cosmic Alchemy: Unveiling the Secrets of Carbon Stars | Matt Bielski | |
| 18:00 | OPTIONAL Dining options - Either on-site or in town | ||
| 20:30 | Dark Out: Free-Range Observing Commences | Matt & Michael | |
| Friday, March 20th, 2026 - Photo Competition + OzSky BBQ Night | Solar & Lunar Almanac | ||
| 13:00 | Life of Galileo | David Batagol | |
| 14:30 | Venomous Australian Snakes: The Facts Revealed | John Bambury | |
| 17:00 | People's Choice Photo Voting and OzSky Door Prizes | Everyone | |
| 17:30 | BBQ Dinner: OzSky Farewell Dinner (Free Aussie BBQ Night) | All Welcome | |
| 20:30 | Dark Out: Free-Range Observing Commences | John Bambury | |
| Saturday, March 21st, 2026 - Travel Back to Sydney / Brisbane / Gallifrey / Proxima Centauri | |||
| 10:00 | Depart OzSky Star Safari | ||
