The Night Sky II

Name: The Night Sky II
Start: 2026-01-13T09:00:00+10:30
Location: Adelaide Planetarium

Schedule

Tue, 13 Jan, 2026 at 09:00 am

UTC+10:30

Location

Adelaide Planetarium | Adelaide, SA

Paul Curnow
Adelaide Planetarium
University of South Australia
Abstract: Continue your journey through the cosmos with popular award-winning astronomer Paul Curnow for a '10-week (once a week) astronomy course’ at the Adelaide Planetarium, Tuesdays 13th January-17th March (10-weeks) 2026 - 7.00pm-9.30pm. This course will be an extension of the course titled ‘The Night Sky’ and cover many of the subjects that we were not able to squeeze into the first course. Moreover, ‘The Night Sky II’ will follow on from ‘The Night Sky’ and although it is not a prerequisite, it is recommended that you do ‘The Night Sky’ (part 1) first, because there will an assumption of prior knowledge of the basics of astronomy and good knowledge of the brightest constellations. Under the dome of the planetarium, come and study more about astronomy and the Universe beyond. Discover more about the history of astronomy and the pioneers that have revealed more about the wider cosmos. In this course, we’ll look at who were the first astronomers. What is Dark Matter & Dark Energy. What is the likelihood of finding alien life in the Universe. We’ll also take a more in depth look at our Moon and cover many other topics. Please note: no admission to under 16-years of age due to use of adult language (16-18 years must be accompanied by full paid adult).
Bio: Paul Curnow (B.Ed.) is a world-renowned educator and astronomer, and after 33-years is South Australia’s longest serving planetarium lecturer. In 2002, he served as a southern sky specialist for visiting U.S. and British astronomers who were in Australia for the total solar eclipse. After three decades of research, he is regarded as one of the world’s leading authorities on Australian Aboriginal night sky knowledge; and in 2004, he worked in conjunction with the Lake Erie Nature and Science Center Planetarium in Ohio, on the creation of a show that features Indigenous Australian stories of the night sky. Moreover, from 2018-2025, he has served as a consultant on Indigenous Astronomy for the Australian Space Agency.
In addition, Paul runs several popular courses for the public that focus on the constellations, planetary astronomy, meteoritics, historical astronomy and ethnoastronomy, which primarily deals with how the night sky is seen by non-western cultures. He appeared as the keynote speaker at the inaugural 2010 Lake Tyrrell Star Party in Sea Lake, Victoria and in 2011 was a special guest speaker at the Carter Observatory in Wellington, New Zealand. Since 2012 Paul has taken the role of Lecturer for the ‘Astronomy & the Universe’ course (EDUC2066); and between 2019-2021 for ‘Science’ (EDUC 2030) for the School of Education at the University of South Australia. He has been a member of the Field Geology Club of South Australia since 1992.
Moreover, from 2021-2024 was an advisor for the Andy Thomas Space Foundation Education Advisory Committee; and in 2023 completed a U.S. lecture tour, where he was a special invited guest speaker at several planetariums, colleges, and universities. Paul appears regularly in the media and has authored over 50 articles on astronomy.
To be held at the Adelaide Planetarium (upstairs), Building P, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes Campus. Mawson Lakes Boulevard, Mawson Lakes SA 5095. *BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL*. Cost $280.00 per person. Contact the Adelaide Planetarium at 8302 3138 or email the planetarium at [email protected] for general enquiries.
This event is aimed for audiences 16 and above.

REGISTRATION CANCELLATIONS
*Please note tickets are non-refundable*
ENQUIRIES OR FURTHER INFORMATION
Contact Name: Allison Price
Company Name: University of South Australia
Telephone: (08) 8302 3138
Email: [email protected]