Telescope Lesson & Viewing at Sirius Optics

Got a new scope, or an old one lying around gathering dust? We highly recommend that you come to our Telescope Lesson and Viewing nights to learn how to use your scope to explore the night sky in a friendly atmosphere. Training will be provided by Sirius Optics staff and amateur astronomers. Gain the confidence you need to join star parties and astronomy club nights, or make your backyard astronomy sessions even more enjoyable.

• Sirius Optics customers: Free (please bring proof of purchase)
• Non-customers: $10 per telescope
• Social/No telescope lesson: Free

Viewing/social tickets are free, so if you want to bring your friends/family and you only have one scope you need help with, it will still be $10 for your group. Places limited to a total of 40 people. If you want to bring more than one scope, please purchase a separate ticket for your scope.

Setup is about 30min before sunset at the lawn next to the shop). On-site parking and street parking available. You may unload your equipment in our unloading bay. Please register in-store or at the registration table to receive handouts and other freebies.

This event is weather dependent. If you can see the moon and it's not raining or completely overcast, we will be able to do most of the activities we have planned. We will make the final call at 4:00pm on the day on whether we will be doing the wet weather program that ends at 7:30pm instead. The store will remain open if you wish to make any purchases on the night. These nights do tend to run late (8:30pm or later) if the weather and seeing conditions are very good.

Normal program

Viewing/Social

• Telescope observing: view the moon, planets, and more
• Learn how to use a star chart or planetarium software
• Tea & coffee (free for all attendees)

Telescope Lesson (free for customers, or $10 per scope)

• Telescope basics--knowing different optical designs of telescopes and types of telescope mounts
• Collimating a Newtonian/Dobsonian telescope
• Balancing and polar-aligning an equatorial-mounted telescope
• Aligning and using a computerised telescope
• Using eyepieces and filters
• Aligning a and using finderscope/red dot finder
• Taking photos through your telescope with your smartphone

Wet weather program (no observing, short indoor lesson)

For the overly-optimistic who hope that the weather will clear at the last minute, or if you just want to socialise over a cup of coffee and learn about astronomy, we now have a new classroom for indoor activities! This short program without observing activities will run instead of the usual if the weather is bad and will end early at 7pm. If the weather clears by then, we can resume the normal program. If you have bought tickets for a telescope lesson and it has been rained out, we can reissue tickets for the next one.

• Tea & coffee
• Telescope basics--knowing different optical designs of telescopes and types of telescope mounts
• Collimating a Newtonian telescope
• Balancing and polar-aligning an equatorial-mounted telescope
• Using eyepieces and filters
• Aligning and using a finderscope/red dot finder

What to bring

• Your telescope or binoculars and accessories
• Your smartphone/tablet
• Batteries and/or power adapters for your scope if required (A/C power available, adapters available for purchase)
• Star charts (available for purchase) or planetarium software in your smartphone/tablet/laptop
• Red flashlight (also available for purchase)
• Groundsheet, camping chair and table if you have one (limited supply of groundsheets and chairs available to borrow)
• Spill-proof thermos mug or travel cup (gotta keep that coffee safe and warm!)

Light refreshments will be provided (please self-cater if you have dietary requirements).

Don’t be afraid to ask questions! We’ll try our best to help. If you came to our last session and haven't managed to set up your scope yet, please let us know and we'll make sure you get more help.

All Telescope Training nights fall on the Friday closest to the first quarter moon. Start times vary according to the seasons.