Featured talks

Astrophotography – The Sky is your Lab

Following the announcement of winners of our 2026 Astrophotography Competition hear from Associate Professor Angel Rafael Lopez Sanchez who will give you talk on astrophotography. 

In this talk Angel will provide a summary of astrophotography techniques, from using standard digital cameras and phones to new, affordable robotic telescopes. He’ll also show how we can use our own astro images to measure the universe, for example, calculating the sizes and heights of lunar craters and mountains, deriving Jupiter’s mass, measuring Earth’s rotation using the stars, or even proving firsthand that the Earth is round. He will also present how astrophotography is conducted at Macquarie University's Astronomical Observatory, showcasing results from Macquarie University students doing FOSE1000 “Becoming a scientist" and high school students participating in our Year-10 Work Experience Program at MQ School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences.

Session Time:
5pm - 5.45pm

Location:
Theatre G25
17 Wally's Walk
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The Big Cosmic Q&A

Have you ever wondered what happens inside a black hole, whether humans could live on other planets, or what astronomers actually do all day? This fun and engaging panel gives young space explorers the chance to ask real experts anything about the universe. Hear how they got into astronomy and space science, ask your biggest cosmic questions, and discover the many paths to a career among the stars.

Session Time:
6.15pm - 7pm

Location:
Theatre G25
17 Wally's Walk
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Please note pre booking for this session will be essential

The engineering behind modern astronomy

Learn how our engineers make big science possible on the global stage.

Get some Insights into just some of the incredible cutting-edge technology being designed and built by the Australian Astronomical Optics (AAO) right here at Macquarie University.

Session Time:
7.30pm - 8.15pm

Location:
Theatre G25
17 Wally's Walk
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Please note pre booking for this session will be essential.