CSIRO Parkes Observatory Programs : Fizzics Education

Getting to the observatory

The Parkes radio telescope is located at Parkes Observatory, 20 kilometres north of Parkes off the Newell Highway (the main highway between Brisbane and Melbourne). The road to the telescope is clearly marked.

A man from Fizzics Education presenting liquid nitrogen demonstrations at teh CSIRO Parkes Observatory

Getting to the observatory

Location

See map and directions to Parkes Observatory here.

The Fizzics Education science show in front of a large radio telescope

Location

Turn off your gadgets to help the astronomers listen to whispers from space

The ‘noise’ created by our modern gadgets can overwhelm the weak signals from space our telescopes are trying to detect. You can help the astronomers listen to whispers from space by switching your phone to airplane/flight mode, and turning off other WiFi and Bluetooth-enabled devices before you arrive. We welcome photography and digital video when you visit, however, please ensure that your device is in airplane/flight mode.

Contact the visitor’s centre

Parkes Observatory Visitors Centre

Learn more!

Podcast on CSIRO Space and Astronomy with Robert Hollow

Listen now

School Comments View All

Fizzics Education curated a thoughtful and hands-on experience for the children, incorporating practical, skill-based learning activities and followed by a science presentation at the end of the event involving liquid nitrogen. This was delivered safely and effectively, capturing both the children and the parents for the duration of the presentation.

-Macquarie Bank – Family Fun Day

Fizzics Education ran a show today at our school and it was wonderful. He was a great facilitator and the show was age appropriate and well done.

-Mount Zion Early learning centre – Little Science Big Fun

I just wanted to pass on how much the staff and students really enjoyed it and how perfect it was to launch our science week activities. The students were enthralled, educated and entertained – a perfect trifecta!

-Caulfield Grammar School – Big Science Big Fun

Thanks so much for presenting at our school on Monday. Our students enjoyed the show.

-Greenvale Primary School – Big Science Big Fun