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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
Last Updated: Sunday, March 15, 2026 22:18
| Thursday, March 12th, 2026 - Pre-OzSky Meet & Greet | Solar & Lunar Almanac | |
| 17:00 | Pre-OzSky Meet & Greet Gathering in Sydney | Lachlan MacDonald |
| Friday, March 13th, 2026 - Optional Earlybird Arrivals | Solar & Lunar Almanac | |
| 20:00 | Opt-IN Night Sky Show at Milroy Observatory - | Tom Reinert |
| 20:00 | INFORMAL Free-Range Observing Commences - Limited telescopes | Lachlan MacDonald |
| Saturday, March 14th, 2026 - OzSky 2026 Official Opening | Solar & Lunar Almanac | |
| 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 | Solar & Lunar Almanac | |
| 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 | Solar & Lunar Almanac | |
| 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 |
| 18:00 | Opt-IN Dining options - Either on-site or in town | |
| 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 | Solar & Lunar Almanac | |
| 10:00 | Shooting Stars Part III: Processing your Astro-Images | Andrew Murrell |
| 13:00 | Light Pollution Reconsidered | 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 |
| 18:00 | Opt-IN Dining options - Either on-site or in town | |
| 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 | Solar & Lunar Almanac | |
| 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 | Opt-IN Dining options - Either on-site or in town | |
| 20:30 | OFFICIAL DARK-OUT: Free-Range Observing Commences | Andrew Murrell |
| 23:59 | Changing of the Guard - Midnight Shift Commences | Matt Bielski |
| Thursday, March 19th, 2026 | 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 | The Ten Illusions of the Night Sky | Tom Reinert |
| 16:00 | Placeholder: Talk to be coinfirmed | Matt Bielski |
| 18:00 | Opt-IN Dining options - Either on-site or in town | |
| 20:30 | OFFICIAL DARK-OUT: Free-Range Observing Commences | Matt Bielski |
| 23:59 | Changing of the Guard - Midnight Shift Commences | Michael Prochoda |
| Friday, March 20th, 2026 - Photo Competition + OzSky BBQ Night | Solar & Lunar Almanac | |
| 13:00 | Life of Galileo | David Batagol |
| 14:30 | Placeholder - Talk to be confirmed | TBA |
| 16:00 | Placeholder - Talk to be confirmed | TBA |
| 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 | OFFICIAL DARK-OUT: Free-Range Observing Commences | All Volunteers |
| 23:59 | OFFICIAL SHUT-DOWN - Midnight | All Volunteers |
| Saturday, March 21st, 2026 - Travel Back to Sydney / Brisbane / Gallifrey / Proxima Centauri | ||
| 10:00 | Depart OzSky Star Safari | |
