Cosmos Centre and Observatory QANTAS Drive, Charleville Qld 4470 Phone (07) 4654 7771 Fax (07) 4654 7772 Observatory, interactive displays, sun gazing, stargazing - be amazed! Email: cosmos@murweh.qld.gov.au

Forget Hollywood - see the stars at Charleville

REAL stars are not in Hollywood, they are in Queensland’s outback at the Cosmos Centre and Observatory in Charleville.

The complex has something for everyone. It’s loved by big kids, little kids, the young at heart and even people who have absolutely no interest in the stars or astronomy. Charleville’s Cosmos Centre and Observatory is a fascinating mix of astronomy by day and night, that, if you will pardon the pun, has universal appeal.

Astronomy by night - the Cosmos Observatory
The indigo blue sky with its carpet of stars is fascinating. The guides at the Cosmos Centre are keen to share the knowledge and love of all things in our galaxy and beyond.

On moonless nights the sheer immensity of the Milky Way, stretching from horizon to horizon, fascinates many visitors to the observatory. If that isn’t enough, the powerful Meade telescopes allow you to view objects in the night sky that often defy description, many that are thousands of light years away from our solar system.

Imagine a “little fuzzy star” revealing itself through the telescopes to be a star cluster with hundreds or even thousands of stars suspended in space. It is really something! See open and globular star clusters like diamonds in the sky, binary star systems, nebulae and planets. When the moon is out there is nothing quite like seeing the sheer depth and size of its craters.

The crisp winter evenings are just perfect for stargazing, so wrap up warmly and put yourself in the hands of the Cosmos Guides. Bookings are essential for the evening observatory and it books out quickly, so book early to ensure your journey to the stars. You are literally guided through the night sky, as your eyes adjust so you can see the soft colours that stars emit and suddenly you are really seeing red, orange, yellow, blue and white stars.

Astronomy by day
If you think you can only visit at night, be surprised! The fascination for the stars is as old as mankind.

Journey of astronomical discovery
There’s no rocket science here – just easy, informative and fascinating facts.

During the daylight hours (when the stars are sleeping,) visitors to Astronomy by Day (open 10.00am to 5.00pm) enjoy a number of activities and discover some great astronomical facts. Astronomy by Day is as different as … well, day from night.

Short talks delivered by the Cosmos guides are a popular part of the daytime activities.

The Meteorite Talk
This is the place to learn about falling and shooting stars, hold a meteorite in your hand, discover the different weights and textures and be surprised at the beauty of some of the meteorites. It’s guaranteed not what you would expect.

Solar System Walk
In 2006, the Solar System was redefined and a new category, dwarf planets, was established. Since then, two new dwarf planets have been added.

Meet the ancient stargazers
Greeks, Egyptians, Mayans, Baby­lonians, Celts and the Chinese studied and read the stars. Find out what astrology, astronomy, Nostradamus, and the Bible all have in common.

Cosmos Theatre
Step forward to the year 3035 and as Senators of the Intergalactic Union listen to a report on the state of play on the formation of the Earth. Try some astronomical fun activities – trivial pursuit; your age, weight and birth date on other planets; travelling to the nearest star; sending asteroids to hit Earth and a lecture theatre of 160AD where Ptolemy is the lecturer.
Stargazing during the day

Only one star is visible during daylight hours, so one of the observatory telescopes is fitted with a sun filter. Observe the most important star in the solar system (make sure you book, as sungazing is not always available).

To enjoy the centre’s out-of-this-world experience, visitors need about one-and-a-half hours to two hours, after which they can enjoy a cosmic cappuccino or light-year latte to go with their bigger-than-the-universe lamingtons in the Cosmos Cafe.
The complex is near the airport, 3km from the centre of town.