Port Macquarie Astronomical Observatory

Port Macquarie Astronomical Observatory The Observatory was built in 1961/62 through the efforts of Albert York a retired master builder and architect.

Port Macquarie Observatory
Open Nights presentations & telescope viewing Wed, Fri & Sun 8pm-10pm Summer / 7.30pm-9.30pm Winter (plus Thursdays School holidays) www.pmobservatory.org.au
Welcome astronomy, science enthusiasts & new members! He intended building an observatory on the top of a building in Joffre Street but was opposed by a neighbour. The local council enquired into the matter and amo

ng those on the committee of enquiry were some Rotarians. They became interested in the idea of an observatory in Port Macquarie and Albert York was asked to address a meeting of the local Rotarians. As a result of the speech Dr. McLaren suggested that Albert York inspect a 5 inch telescope that was lying in disuse at the local Hastings District Public Hospital. The telescope was a gift from Bob Stanfield, a publican at Port Macquarie to be used for viewing ships at sea. The upgrade to an Astronomy Science Centre 2024 was jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments in association with the Port Macquarie Astronomical Association. For more information visit our website: https://www.pmobservatory.org.au

07/09/2026
07/09/2026

China’s Tianwen-2 spacecraft has returned the first-ever close-range images of our planet’s ‘mini moon’ Kamoʻoalewa, after closing to within 20km (12 miles) of the space rock.

Live ..
03/09/2026

Live ..

Europe's BepiColombo spacecraft begins its arrival at Mercury today – and you can watch the whole thing live online

After 8 years ...
03/09/2026

After 8 years ...

After nearly eight years, a mission to reveal Mercury’s secrets is arriving at its destination. But what lies ahead will not be easy.

Swirls ...
03/09/2026

Swirls ...

01/09/2026

Nancy Grace Roman never built a telescope herself — but without her, Hubble might never have made it to space. 🔭

She was NASA's very first chief astronomer. Back in the 1960s and 70s, sending a telescope into space wasn't an easy idea to sell.

Roman spent almost 20 years convincing scientists, engineers, and even Congress that it was worth doing. In 1977, her hard work helped get the funding approved for the Hubble Space Telescope, which launched in 1990. Because of this, people started calling her the "Mother of Hubble." 💫
She was also NASA's first-ever female executive, at a time when it was very hard for women to work in science. On top of her own work, she spent years helping and encouraging other women to join astronomy too.

Now, NASA has honored her by naming its brand new space telescope after her — the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, which launched today.

This telescope can scan the sky over 100 times faster than Hubble and could help find up to 100,000 new planets.

A perfect tribute to the woman who helped make space telescopes possible in the first place. 🚀
Does knowing this story make the mission feel even more special to you? 👇

📸 Credit: NASA

31/08/2026

Address

Rotary Park, 1A Stewart St (PO Box 1453)
Port Macquarie, NSW
2444

Opening Hours

Wednesday 8pm - 9:30pm
Friday 7:30pm - 9:30pm

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