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Schedule of Events & Activities
Welcome to the 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 schedule outlines the rhythm of the week and helps you make the most of every clear, dark night.
As a useful reference, this Schedule of Events may be read in conjunction with the Solar & Lunar Astro Almanac.
2026 OzSky "Classic" Star Safari
| Thursday March 12th, 2026 - Pre-OzSky Meet & Greet | ||
| 17:00 | Pre-OzSky Meet & Greet Gathering in Sydney | Lachlan MacDonald |
| Friday March 13th, 2026 - Optional Earlybird Arrivals | ||
| 20:00 | OPTIONAL Night Sky Show at Milroy Observatory | |
| 20:00 | INFORMAL Free-Range Observing Commences - Limited telescopes | Lachlan MacDonald |
| Saturday March 13th, 2026 - Official Opening | ||
| 16:30 | Check-in: Arrive on-site and check-in at Motel Reception | Motel Staff |
| 17:30 | Welcome & Introduction to OzSky 2026 | Lachlan MacDonald |
| 20:00 | Southern Sky Orientation & Guided Sky Tours | Andrew Murrell |
| 20:30 | OFFICIAL DARK-OUT: Free-Range Observing Commences | Andrew Murrell |
| 23:59 | Changing of the Guard - Midnight Shift Commences | Vello Tabur |
| Sunday March 15th, 2026 - Group Photo + OzSky BBQ Night | ||
| 13:00 | How to Align and Use the Argo Navis Digital Telescope Computer | Matt Bielski |
| 14:30 | Mount Stromlo Observatory and Canberra Bushfires of 2003 | David Batagol |
| 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 | OFFICIAL DARK-OUT: Free-Range Observing Commences | Vello Tabur |
| 23:59 | Changing of the Guard - Midnight Shift Commences | David Batagol |
| Monday March 16th, 2026 | ||
| 10:00 | Shooting Stars Part I: "Nightscapes - A Journey into Darkness" | Andrew Murrell |
| 13:00 | The Apollo Astronauts | Michael Gorton |
| 14:30 | The Good Ship Argo Navis (The Constellation) | Michael Prochoda |
| 16:00 | Navigating the Universe with "Deep Sky Orienteering" | Vello Tabur |
| 20:00 | Southern Sky Orientation & Guided Sky Tours | David Batagol |
| 20:30 | Shooting Stars Part II: Using a DSLR for Nightscapes | Andrew Murrell |
| 20:30 | OFFICIAL DARK-OUT: Free-Range Observing Commences | David Batagol |
| 23:59 | Changing of the Guard - Midnight Shift Commences | Gary Kopff & Ash Singh |
| Tuesday March 17th, 2026 - St Patrick's Day (wear something green) | ||
| 10:15 | Shooting Stars Part III: Processing your Astro-Images | Andrew Murrell |
| 13:00 | The Ten Illusions of the Night Sky | Tom Reinert |
| 14:30 | Visual Observing - What I've learned from over 50 years under the stars | Michael Prochoda |
| 16:00 | Challenge Lists and Technology: Exploring the Cosmos with Digital Tools | Matt Bielski |
| 20:30 | OFFICIAL DARK-OUT: Free-Range Observing Commences | Gary Kopff & Ash Singh |
| 23:59 | Changing of the Guard - Midnight Shift Commences | Andrew Murrell |
| Wednesday March 18th, 2026 | ||
| 14:30 | Cosmic Journeys: An Astronomer's Travelogue | Matt Bielski |
| 16:15 | Shooting Storms: The Art & Science of Storm Photography | Andrew Murrell |
| 20:30 | Exploring the Small Magellanic Cloud | Andrew Murrell |
| 21:30 | OFFICIAL DARK-OUT: Free-Range Observing Commences | Andrew Murrell |
| 23:59 | Changing of the Guard - Midnight Shift Commences | Matt Bielski |
| Thursday March 19th, 2026 | ||
| 13:00 | Blowing Bubbles: Wolf-Rayet Stars and their Nebulae | Andrew Murrell |
| 14:30 | Light Pollution Reconsidered | Tom Reinert |
| 16:15 | Observing The Moon: What you can see through a Telescope | Robert Reeves |
| 21:30 | OFFICIAL DARK-OUT: Free-Range Observing Commences | Matt Bielski |
| 23:59 | Changing of the Guard - Midnight Shift Commences | Michael Prochoda |
| Friday March 20th, 2026 | ||
| 12:00 | Final deadline for OzSky Photo Competition submissions | Lachlan MacDonald |
| 13:00 | Life of Galileo | David Batagol |
| 14:30 | The New Generation of Smart Telescopes | Robert Reeves |
| 16:00 | Tectonics Around the Solar System | Dan Davis |
| 17:00 | People's Choice Photo Competition Voting and OzSky Door Prizes | Everyone |
| 17:30 | BBQ Dinner: OzSky Farewell Dinner (Free Aussie BBQ Night) | All Welcome |
| 20:30 | OFFICIAL DARK-OUT: Free-Range Observing Commences | All Volunteers |
| 23:59 | OFFICIAL SHUT-DOWN - Midnight | All Volunteers |
| Saturday March 21st, 2026 | ||
| 10:00 | Depart OzSky Star Safari | Everyone |
