Discover the Night Sky: Venus at the Melbourne Planetarium

Join me for a night under the dome at the Melbourne Planetarium for July's Discover the Night Sky, a monthly evening of astronomy hosted by astronomer Dr Tanya Hill. This month's theme is Venus: new missions to the evening star, so we'll be looking at our closest planetary neighbour and the spacecraft heading its way.

Expect the planetarium's gorgeous full-dome visuals, plus storytelling and the latest astronomy and space news, with a chance to ask questions along the way. It's a lovely, low-key way to spend a winter evening and meet a few fellow space-curious people.

We'll meet outside the planetarium entrance gates at 6:00pm, head in together, and settle in for the 6:30pm session. Afterwards there's optional stargazing through telescopes if the weather plays along, before we wrap up around 8:30pm.

A couple of quick heads-ups: this is an adults-only (18+) event, it's run by the planetarium rather than by us, and you'll need to book your own ticket. An RSVP here doesn't include entry.

Who this is for

• Anyone curious about space, planets, or the night sky. No knowledge needed.
• People after a relaxed, sociable evening rather than anything strenuous.
• Solo attendees are very welcome. Plenty of people come on their own.

Links

• Meetup start point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/MGaqJ7wXDwymAerLA
• Event info and tickets (Discover the Night Sky): https://museumsvictoria.com.au/scienceworks/whats-on/discover-the-night-sky/
• Getting here and parking: https://museumsvictoria.com.au/scienceworks/plan-your-visit/getting-here-and-parking/

Timeline

• 6:00pm - Meet outside the Melbourne Planetarium entrance gates and say hello
• 6:15pm - Head inside and get settled (the galaxy bar opens from 6pm if you'd like a drink or a snack)
• 6:30pm - Discover the Night Sky session begins
• 7:30pm - Session ends
• 7:30pm to 8:30pm - Optional stargazing through telescopes, weather permitting
• 8:30pm - Meetup wraps up

Tickets / cost
Please book your own ticket directly through the Discover the Night Sky page above before the night, as these sessions can sell out. A Meetup RSVP is not a ticket and doesn't include entry.

Transport

• Scienceworks is at 2 Booker Street, Spotswood. It's a short walk from Spotswood station, and there's parking on site.
• Check the venue's "getting here and parking" page for current details if you're driving.

Bring

• Your ticket (on your phone is fine)
• A warm jacket. Winter evenings get cold, especially if you stay for the outdoor stargazing.
• Card or cash if you'd like something from the galaxy bar

Expect

• Vibe: relaxed, friendly, and curious
• Difficulty: none. All welcome, no astronomy background needed.
• Group style: easy and social. Come solo or bring a friend.

Important notes

• This is an adults-only (18+) event.
• This is a casual social meetup arranged so we can head along together. It isn't run by, affiliated with, or endorsed by Museums Victoria, Scienceworks, or the Melbourne Planetarium. Please book your own ticket directly with them; an RSVP here doesn't include entry.
• Stargazing is weather dependent and may not go ahead due to cloud, rain, or high winds.
• If your plans change, please update your RSVP so our numbers stay clear.