337 Walnut Rd, Bickley 6076,
Western Australia.
Tel: 08 9293 8255
Fax: 08 9293 8138
Info line:08 9293 8109
updated: 2009/01/28
If you have an astronomy/astrophysics question please consult the Q&A list below. If you can't find your question answered then email it to us and we'll respond to you and if it is of general interest we'll also post it on this page.
PLEASE NOTE: This service is not meant to be a free homework service - in the interest of encouraging learning we will direct enquirers to do their own research as appropriate. For example: search this website, explore the astronomy links, visit your local library, visit our library, purchase our annual almanac or project kit etc. Also consult our press releases or web log.
Furthermore, consistent with common practice, we charge customers for enquiries that constitute research consultancies (see also our specialised information services).
This resource addresses many CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK Science Learning Outcomes, for all learning development phases, associated with the 'Earth And Beyond' concept.
| Question 4 |
Have any of the Observatory astronomers seen anything unusual in the night sky like UFOs etc?
| Answer |
No. The night sky is full of wonderful sights, some are constant like the stars, other are sporadic like "shooting stars". Perth Observatory astronomers are professionals - they study the sky for their living and know a lot about the things that populate the night sky. Claims of so called "unexplained phenomena" are made by non-experts or people wishing to benefit in some way from making the claim. We encourage people to view the night sky, and if you observe something that you think is unusual visit our "unusual sightings" webpage. This should help you identify what it was, or alternatively, send in a sighting report.
| Question 3 |
Where has the "evening star" gone?
| Answer |
The "evening star" is not actually a star - it's the planet Venus. Venus has an orbit around the Sun independent of the Earth so it is sometimes visible after sunset - the"evening star", or before sun rise - the "morning star". See our "unusual sightings in the night sky page" for more details.
| Question 2 |
What is the bright object visible (from February to September 2006) before dawn in the east?
| Answer |
Venus. See our "unusual sightings in the night sky page" for more details.
| Question 1 |
Will Mars be as big as the Full Moon in August 2005?
| Answer |
No. See press release from 2005/08/17.
337 Walnut Rd,