3RF Australia
Three Rivers Foundation
3RF (Australia) Pty Ltd | ACN 136 421 184 | www.3RF.com.au
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3RF Events and Activities
As a major part of 3RF's mission to promote interest & education in astronomy, we regularly support a number of local and regional star parties by providing and operating large, quality telescopes and running public Sky Tours for the benefit of those people wishing to attend those events.Why do we do this? Because we know that so many of the people attending those events either do not have their own telescopes, or wonder what it would be like to observe through a larger telescope than they currently own or have access to.
A small selection of the events which we either host or support are listed below:
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OzSky "Alumni" 2024: The OzSky "Alumni" Star Safari OzSky "Alumni" 2024 is scheduled to be held during the week of 30th September - 7th October, 2024 at our alternative dark sky observing site in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales. For more details including booking information and registration forms for the next event, please visit our website at www.OzSky.org or email Info@OzSky.org. |
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OzSky 2024: The OzSky Star Safari OzSky 2024 is scheduled to be held during the week of 8th - 15th March 2024 and still has a few spots remaining available. For more details including booking information and registration forms for the next event, please visit our website at www.OzSky.org or email Info@OzSky.org. |
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OzSky "Alumni" 2023: The "30th Anniversary" OzSky "Alumni" Star Safari OzSky "Alumni" 2023 was held during the week of 10th - 17th September, 2023 at our alternative dark sky observing site in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales. For more details including booking information and registration forms for the next event, please visit our website at www.OzSky.org or email Info@OzSky.org. |
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OzSky 2023: The "30th Anniversary" OzSky Star Safari OzSky 2023 was held during the week of 18th - 25th March 2023 and was attended by 40 people from five countries including Australia, Canada, South Korea, Mexico and twelve different States of the USA. For more details including booking information and registration forms for the next event, please visit our website at www.OzSky.org or email Info@OzSky.org. |
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OzSky 2020: The OzSky Star Safari OzSky 2020 was held between 21st - 28th March 2020, just as the SARS-CoV2 pandemic was starting to ramp up around the world. Many folks decided against attending in 2020, however a small number of people (all from Australia) enjoyed the incredibly dark skies, albeit without the camaraderie usually present at larger OzSky events. For more details including booking information and registration forms for the next event, please visit our website at www.OzSky.org or email Info@OzSky.org. |
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OzSky 2019: The OzSky Star Safari OzSky 2019 was held between 31st March - 7th April 2019 with 43 people from 13 US states, Canada and Australia. For more details including booking information and registration forms for the next event, please visit our website at www.OzSky.org or email Info@OzSky.org. |
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OzSky 2018: The "25th Anniversary" OzSky Star Safari OzSky 2018 was held between 14th - 21st April 2018 with 36 people from 11 US states, Switzerland and Australia. 2018 saw the celebration of the 25th Anniversary of these unique OzSky observing adventures which originally started way back in 1993 with a dozen US amateurs heading south to observe the Southern Night SKies. We're still going strong, and continue to introduce more and more northern hemisphere amateurs to the wonders of the Southern Skies. For more details including booking information and registration forms for the next event, please visit our website at www.OzSky.org or email Info@OzSky.org. |
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OzSky 2017: The OzSky Star Safari OzSky 2017 was held between 22nd - 29th April 2017 with over 30 people from 4 countries, 8 US states and 2 Canadian Provinces For more details including booking information and registration forms for the next event, please visit our website at www.OzSky.org or email Info@OzSky.org. |
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OzSky 2016: The OzSky Star Safari OzSky 2016 was held between 2nd - 9th April 2016 and attracted a total of 61 people from 15 different US States, 3 Canadian Provinces, the United Kingdom and 3 Australian states. Whilst we ended up with 38 registered observers in this year's group (two over our nominal limit of 36), we also had a significant number of "non-observing" family members join us, including two very young "observers-to-be" aged 1½ and 3½. For more details including booking information and registration forms for the next event, please visit our website at www.OzSky.org or email Info@OzSky.org. |
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OzSky 2015: The OzSky Star Safari OzSky 2015 was held between 17th - 24th April 2015 and attracted a total of 54 people from 6 countries. For more details including booking information and registration forms for the next event, please visit our website at www.OzSky.org or email Info@3RF.com.au |
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OzSky 2014: The OzSky Star Safari OzSky 2014 was held between 29 March - 5 April 2014 attracting a total of 45 people from 7 different contries. For more details including booking information and registration forms for the next event, please visit our website at www.OzSky.org or email Info@3RF.com.au |
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OzSky 2013: The OzSky Star Safari OzSky 2013 was held between 9 - 16 March 2013. For more details including booking information and registration forms for the next event, please visit our website at www.OzSky.org or email Info@3RF.com.au |
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OzSky 2012 Post-Eclipse Star Safari A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly between Earth and the Sun, thereby totally or partially obscuring all or part of the Sun for an observer on Earth. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon's apparent diameter is equal to or larger than that of the Sun, and occurs in a narrow path across the surface of the Earth. Volunteers from 3RF Australia were actively involved in observing the 2012 Total Solar Eclipse from north of Cairns in Far North Queensland, and also hosted this Post-Eclipse Star Safari at Coonabarabran. The 2012 Post-Eclipse Star Safari was held at Coonabarabran, The Astronomy Capital of Australia, following the Total Solar Eclipse in November at Cairns. While participants were still be in awe from the eclipse in Cairns on 14 November, this 2-night event was designed as an astronomical observing extension for those travelling from afar, with the opportunity to experience Australia's amazing night skies. For more details including booking information and registration forms for this unique event, please visit our Post-Eclipse Star Safari website at www.3RF.com.au/PESS or email us at Info@3RF.com.au
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OzSky 2012: The OzSky Star Safari OzSky 2012 was held between 15 - 26 February 2012 with the observing portion scheduled for 19 - 25 February 2012.
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Cape Hawke Astronomy Night
15 April, 2010 - Cape Hawke (Forster), NSW
This small, impromptu Public Star Party was held at Cape Hawke lookout, attracting a number of tourists and locals alike to enjoy the night sky through 3RF's 18" Ultra Compact Obsession Teleascope.
Port Macquarie
First event: 13-14 April, 2010 plus various other dates thorughout 2010-2012 - Port Macquarie, NSW
A small impromptu Public Star Party was held in the Observatory Park, Port Macquarie on the evening of 13 April, attracting dozens of tourists and locals alike. The following evening, 3RF Australia was asked by local identity and amateur astronomer Dave Reneke to assist with an Astronomy Presentation which he had organised for that evening. 3RF Australia provided it's 18" Ultra Compact Obsession Teleascope through which the participants enjoy stunning views of the night sky.
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OzSky 2010: The OzSky Star Safari One of the main events coordinated by 3RF Australia is the popular OzSky / Deepest South Texas Star Safari (DSTSS), held each year near Coonabarabran, New South Wales - The Astronomy Capital of Australia. The Deepest South Texas Star Safari, as the name suggests, is an event which is aimed at assisting amateur observers from the United States of America by providing them with the opportunity to experience the grandeur of the southern skies without the need to transport large telescopes. Dozens of visitors from the USA attended the premium week-long event, with the majority planning their next return trip before the week was over. For further details, including booking information, please visit: www.OzSky.org. |
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Glen Davis Lunar Star Party
First event: 7 February 2010 plus various other dates (ongoing) - Glen Davis, NSW
This small event attracted the hiking/birding/outdoor fraternity near Glen Davis on the Western boundary of the Wollemi National Park. Particularly for first time observers, the moon was a big attraction.
Kaputar Summit Star Party
First 3RF event: 23-24 January, 2010 plus various other dates (ongoing) - Mt Kaputar National Park, Narrabri, NSW
This event was held under crystal clear skies and warm weather despite being at an altitude of over 1,500 metres, in the National Park which is a series of extinct volcanic peaks and plugs 120km north of Coonabarabran. The site was very dark and capable of delivering superb seeing, as it did on this occaision. As well as quality 3RF telescopes, several participants brought their own telescopes, one being a new SCT (Schmidt-Cassegrain) and the owner was pleased to be able to get some practical lessons in getting the most out of his instrument.
New England Star Party
20 January, 2010 - Armidale, NSW
This small, impromptu Public Star Party was held at Armidale, attracting a number of tourists and locals alike to enjoy the night sky through 3RF's 18" Ultra Compact Obsession Teleascope.
Milparinka Gold Fields Star Party
First event: 19 September, 2009 plus various other dates throughout 2009-2013 - Milparinka, Outback NSW
This star party, held for the benefit of tourists and gold prospectors at the remote Mt Browne goldfields near Milparinka in the far north-western NSW border country was lucky to take place just ahead of the biggest dust storm on record. However, the lucky participants were able to enjoy views of the night sky from a spot where the nearest small town was over 100km away, and which was far enough north to be able to show such northern objects as the Ring Nebula (M57) at their best.
"Space is Big" School Astronomy Night
28 August, 2009 - Mamre Anglican School, Erskine Park, NSW
3RF Australia regularly donates Door Prizes to major events such as the ASNSW's South Pacific Star Party, in the form of free Private Observing Sessions using one of it's monster telescopes. The 2009 SPSP's door Prize was won by an amateur astronomer who elected to claim his prize by having 3RF Australia provide one of it's monster telescopes at an astronomy night held at his son's primary school.
PLC Sydney School Astronomy Night
First event: 26 August, 2009 and various other dates (ongoing) - PLC Sydney, Pymble, NSW
3RF's Tony Buckley, Lachlan MacDonald, Gary Kopff and Mai Tran recently visited Pymble Ladies' College to promote interest and education in astronomy by presenting a Public Astronomy Night to the teachers and students of Pymble Ladies College as well as their families, friends and neighbours, introduce the wonders of the night sky to members of the public as a part of the International Year of Astronomy.
Over one hundred students, teachers, family members, friends and neighbours attended this highly successful event, most of whom had never had an opportuity to look through a telescope before.
2009 Border StarGaze Public Sky Tours
19 - 23 August 2009 - Wymah (Albury), NSW
The Border StarGaze is a star party hosted by the Astronomical Society of Albury-Wodonga and proudly supported by 3RF. The 2009 event was held from 19-23 August 2009 at the 120 hectare (300 acre) Wymah Valley Retreat, 32km north of Albury, New South Wales.
3RF offered its support for Border StarGaze by providing a number of large telescopes for the Public Astronomy Sky Tours on the Friday and Saturday nights. Telescopes included high quality 18" and 30" telescopes as well as a 12½" binocular telescope, provided for the benefit of those attending this event.
Inclement weather experienced throughout most of Friday caused the organisers to cancel the public Sky Tours scheduled for that evening so as to avoid crowds of people flocking to the facility in the extreme wet weather with very little chance of observing. Fortunately for some, the skies opened up for a few hours on the Friday evening, treating those who braved the trip to Border StarGaze to the experience of a lifetime through the 18" telescope and a 12½" binocular telescopes provided for the public by 3RF Australia.
Saturday did not see that same luck however, with constant heavy rain plaguing all efforts to hold any further public sky tours for those attending on the Saturday evening.
Girl Guides Astronomy Night
8 August, 2009 - Camp Chapman Girl Guides Camp, Somersby, NSW
3RF Australia was invited by a Central Coast Girl Guides group to provide some telescopes and volunteers at one of it's regular Guide Camps.
3RF's John Bambury, Andrew Murrell, Tony Buckley and Lachlan MacDonald attended the event with various large telescopes, kindling interest in science and astronomy amongst the Girl Guide attendees.
2009 South Pacific Star Party
22 - 24 May 2009 - Ilford, NSW
The annual South Pacific Star Party (SPSP) is a major star party hosted by the Astronomical Society of New South Wales and is one which 3RF has supported for a number of years. For the past several years, 3RF has supported the SPSP by providing large telescopes for the public Sky Tours on the Friday and Saturday nights. We have also donated door prizes of free private observing sessions using some of 3RF's largest telescopes.
The 17th annual SPSP was a complete wash-out event in 2009, with rain and cloud preventing any observing. Spirits were kept high, however, with a number of daytime and evening activities planned to keep the hordes busy.
The 2010 SPSP will be held over the weekend of 14 - 16 May 2010.
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DSTSS 2009: The Deepest South Texas Star Safari In May, the 2009 “Deepest South Texas Star Safari” (DSTSS) was held near Coonabarabran, New South Wales. This exclusive event, now in it’s sixth year, is aimed at providing amateur astronomers from the US and Canada with not only an Australian cultural experience, but more importantly the unique opportunity to experience the grandeur of the southern night skies through large, high quality instruments without the need for them to transport large telescopes across the South Pacific themselves. With over 30 participants regularly attending this event from 10 US states and 3 Countries, we are able to book the entire 25-acre Warrumbungles Mountain Motel complex allowing us to have full control of the venue's on-site lighting to ensure that our visitors are treated to the best southern dark-sky experience possible.
Two New Telescopes
Testimonial: I'm ETERNALLY, ETERNALLY in your debt for allowing me the privilege of seeing the wonders of the Southern Sky!!! My employer gives me a 8-week sabbatical leave every seven years, and I was eligible to take that time in February 2009. I'd been planning for years to include a week's solid observing of southern skies in Australia. The fly in the ointment was the logistics. Where should I go, to insure clear, dark skies? And more importantly, how do I insure access to a telescope at least as good as what I have at home--a 14" truss-tube Dob? Access to a good telescope was the real rub. I'd decided long ago that shipping my own scope to Oz was just not feasible, from both a cost and time perspective. I'd resigned myself to buying a 14" telescope in Australia, then selling it afterwards on E-Bay or elsewhere. And going to Alice Springs for observing.
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"First Light for 3RF's 30" ƒ/4.5 Telescope"
20 - 28 May 2009 - Coonabarabran, NSW
The 2009 Deepest South Texas Star Safari held in May 2009 was notable for many reasons, including first light for 3RF 's new 30" ƒ/4.5 Telescope which made its debut at that event and quickly demonstrated that "Aperture Rules!"
Even on nights of average seeing, internal structure could be easily seen in objects like the Homunculus, while views of Omega Centauri and the Eta Carinae Nebula were simply breathtaking. For many people attending the DSTSS, the 30" telescope reperesented one more great reason to return to Oz for future 3RF events.
Fortunately, there was no sign of the dreaded "New Telescope Syndrome" where any new telescope uncovered for "first light" allegedly causes the skies to cloud over preventing any observing through that telescope on that night.
"Double Vision through new 3RF 22" ƒ/4.5 Binocular Telescope"
20 - 28 May 2009 - Coonabarabran, NSW
3RF's new 22" ƒ/4.5 binocular telescope, designed and built by Bruce Sayre of California, was unveiled at the Deepest South Texas Star Safari near Coonabarabran, NSW in May this year.
Binocular viewing is an addiction for many observers, and viewing through a pair of high-quality, twin 22" mirrors demonstrates why: transmitting to the observer's brain an intoxicating stereo view of the "Eye Candy" in which the Southern Sky abounds, from 47 Tucanae (NGC 104) to the Tarantula Nebula (NGC 2070), or simply crising through the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) and taking in the extra-galactic globular clusters and emission nebulae.
Coming to the Southern Hemisphere to observe with a humble 10" telescope is a blast. Observing with telescopes like these provided by 3RF is simply unforgettable!
Sapphire Coast Star Party
First event: 16 May, 2009 plus various other dates (ongoing) - Batemans Bay, NSW
Beach goers near the NSW South Coast hamlet of Broulee Beach got the novel experience of observing through a large newtonian a few hundred yards from the sand at this popular resort on the coast 300km south of Sydney. We have found that such impromptu events reach an audience of those who would not normally think of attending a formal public night or star party in the same way that the Sidewalk Astronomers of Los Angeles and San Francisco have pioneered.
Lake Burrendong State Park Star Party
First event: 27 March, 2009 plus various other dates throughout 2009-2013 - Lake Burrendong, NSW
This park attracts Water-sports and other outdoor enthusiasts, and this was the latest of several successful one night events held at this popular resort. We have found that the outdoor fraternity readily relates to the astronomy experience and an appreciative audience is always easy to attract.
Cattai National Park
First event: 7 March, 2009 plus various other dates throughout 2009-2010 - Cattai, NSW
This star party was coordinated by the Astronomical Society of NSW, who asked 3RF Australia to assist them with the event. Around 100 people attended this event, where over a dozen telescopes were set up to stun the participants with amazing views of the night sky.
Golden Triangle Star Party
First event: 23-24 January 2009 plus various other dates throughout 2009-2011 - Golden Triangle, VIC
The famed Golden Triangle, encompassing the rich gold fields of Central Victoria, attracts large numbers of prospectors using the latest in metal detecting technology, and although looking up is a novelty for many of these folk, their technical expertise and interest in the natural world made them a keen and interested audience.