Activities

Telescope Park

With an amazing array of telescopes on offer from Macquarie University Astronomical Observatory, local astronomy clubs and amateur astronomers, join us in exploring the cosmos. Search for celestial objects such as planets, star clusters, and nebulae through a number of telescopes that will be set-up on the evening. If you are in the market for a new telescope, what better way to test drive one than coming to look through the diverse range of telescopes that will be available on the night, and speak with the owners of the telescopes about their experiences. You will also be able to access our on-campus observatory facility and take a look through our professional in-dome telescopes, guided by our friendly staff.

Please note that this is a dark area with limited/ low level lighting, and we ask guests to be mindful when entering, exiting and moving around the area. White light will not be used in the area unless an announcement is made (for example in the case of inclement weather). To help with dark adaption/ night vision, light sources should be dim, red light only and aimed at the ground when in use. Laser pointers are not permitted. Head torches should be pointed downward or used while hand-held. Please try to limit the use of phones. 

Space Exploration with the Discovery Academy

Blast off into the world of science with the Discovery Academy - design the highest-flying rocket, create your own galaxy or become a NASA Flight Director and create a spacecraft to protect your astronauts landing. 

This activity is coordinated by the Discovery Academy. Explore Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) concepts through engaging, hands-on activities... and get a little messy along the way! 

At Macquarie University’s Discovery Academy we provide opportunities for primary school-aged children to explore the world of science in a fun and safe environment. Think space, dinosaurs, explosions, medicine, rocks, robotics, coding, archaeology and much more!

This event will run from 5pm until our supplies run out. 

5pm – 9pm
Room 105, 1 Central Courtyard 

Kids' Space

Bring your little scientists along to this fun-packed area set-up with interesting, informative mini experiments and scientific activities. Learn about space, planets, gravity, building, the basics of physics and a whole lot more. 

Please note that children must at all times be accompanied by a parent or guardian while in this space.

5pm - 9pm
Rooms 106 & 107, 1 Central Courtyard

Uncover the mysteries of quantum physics, understand water systems with hydrologists, grasp how we power our evolving world with engineering experts, and engage with numerous other exceptional scientists. 

This exclusive event offers a unique opportunity to ask anything you like, learn about their inspiring journeys, and gain invaluable insights into their groundbreaking work. Prepare to be inspired, amazed, and enlightened as you connect with Macquarie University's finest scientists!

Join the Huntsman Telescope Team in this year’s Exploratorium! 

Uncover the mysteries of exoplanets, learn what it would be like to live on a planet around a distant star, and learn how Huntsman is detecting them. 

Find out what happens when two galaxies collide, and what is the fate awaiting our home the Milky Way galaxy when it collides with the Andromeda galaxy in a few billion years’ time. 

Pick your favourite star or planet and join us for live observing direct from the Huntsman Telescope at Siding Spring Observatory under some of Australia’s darkest skies. 

Robotics Room

Robots are invaluable in the exploration of space, and planets, including our own. Robots can be autonomous, running on their own, based on local sensor inputs, or teleoperated, performing actions based on commands from an operator. The Macquarie University championship FIRST robotics team will be demonstrating the 2024 season robot. Come and drive a championship robot. Note: This hands-on activity only allows people aged 5 years and up to control a robot and perform actions.

The Robotics Room will be coordinated by members of the Macquarie University championship robotics team and staff from the School of Engineering. You can learn more about FIRST Robotics here.

5pm - 10pm
Room 114 & 115, 1 Central Courtyard

Cosmic Arcade

Get ready for an interstellar night of fun and games at the Cosmic Arcade, a stellar collaboration between the Computing Societies of Macquarie University! Join us for a cosmic celebration filled with student-made games and exhilarating challenges that'll have you shooting for the stars. Embrace the spirit of unity and friendly competition as we explore the wonders of computing and journey through the galaxy of possibilities. Don't miss this out-of-this-world event - it's time to unleash your inner astronaut and have a blast!

5pm - 10pm
Room 116, 1 Central Courtyard

Laser Guide Star

“Twinkle twinkle little star….. How can I stop you twinkling?!?"

Stars appear to ‘twinkle’ because Earth’s turbulent atmosphere is constantly bending and shifting the starlight, similar to looking at the bottom of a swimming pool. For astronomers on the ground, this effect blurs out their images, and prevents large telescopes from working as well as they could. Astronomers use a technique called ‘adaptive optics’ to reduce this blurring. This involves measuring the atmosphere one thousand times every second, using a bright source (called a ‘guide star’) close to the part of the sky where the observation is being made. However, there just aren’t enough bright stars in the sky to use adaptive optics wherever we want. To get around that problem, we use a ‘laser guide star’. It is not actually a star at all, but a powerful laser that is specially tuned to make part of the atmosphere light up, creating a reference beacon to measure the atmosphere with. The laser is tuned to the exact energy of electrons in sodium, which is found in a 1km-thick layer around 90km above us, deposited by asteroids. Sodium is the same element used in old yellow-orange street lights - hence the orange colour of laser guide stars.

Together with national and international partners, Macquarie astronomers and engineers are working on a new instrument, called ‘MAVIS’, that will use new adaptive optics technology on one of the world’s largest telescopes in Chile to deliver images sharper than the James Webb Space Telescope, and more sensitive than the Hubble Space Telescope. (see mavis-ao.org).

Capture the Cosmos: Astrophotography Competition and Exhibition

Explore the winning astrophotography images taken by YOU as part of our brand-new astrophotography competition. Come along and vote for People’s Choice. View more information and how to enter the competition.

5pm - 10pm 
Ground floor
Michael Kirby Building 
17 Wally's Walk

Design, Print, Create: Makerspace Discovery

Step into our MAPS Makerspace as we invite you to discover our new facility where our students bring their ideas to life using cutting-edge technology and tools. Explore our workshop where imagination meets craftsmanship, and witness the design process from concept to creation. 

Learn how our students use the tools in the space to enhance their learning and gain practical experience. Whether you're a budding creator, an educator curious about integrating technology into your curriculum, or simply fascinated by the world of making, this facility drop-in promises insights and inspiration.  

This activity is coordinated by the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences.

5pm - 9pm 
Room 205
14 Sir Christopher Ondaatje Avenue  

We strive to provide accurate program details but information may be subject to change.