BAS Observer July 2017

JULY 2017 9 Topics covered over the two days included: Aboriginal Astronomy, Astrophotography (best shots and how to’s), Light Pollution and Better Outdoor Lighting, Dark Matter and Dark Energy, The Search for Life in the Universe (Exoplanets), Developing Low-cost Access to Space (new technologies in rocket building), and ESA Operations in Australia. Gilmour Technologies spokesperson Jamie Anderson spoke about building low-cost hybrid rockets (liquid- and solar-fuelled) that can be launched from Australia (looking at small cube satellites up to 380 kg). Australia was the fourth country in the world to launch its own satellites (in 1 9 67), but since then no new rocket launch facilities have been developed. Main speakers: Dr David Malin (AAO), Dr Fred Watson (AAO), Doctor Karl Kruszelnicki, Dylan O’Donnell, Duane Hamacher (Aboriginal Astronomy – Monash University), Mark Gee (astrophotographer from New Zealand), Jamie Anderson (Gilmour Space Technologies), Dr Katie Mack (University of Melbourne) and Dr Alan Duffy.