Highlights from the Virtual Solar System Drive with Fred Watson
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About the Tour
About the Tour
Drive around the Astronomy Capital of Australia with Fred Watson, Astronomer-in-Charge of Australia's biggest telescope for 20 years, and Marnie Ogg, the director of Dark Sky Traveller. This driving tour takes you along the world’s largest Virtual Solar System Drive from Coonabarabran's Visitor Information Centre to Siding Spring Observatory.
As you travel along the route, Fred and Marnie will point out the three-dimensional planet models displayed on huge billboards, scaled relative to the Anglo-Australian Telescope dome at Siding Springs Observatory, which represents the Sun. They’ll also teach you about our solar system as you travel through the virtual one.
Fred Watson is Australia’s first Astronomer-at-Large and an award-winning science communicator. He has an asteroid named after him, 5691 Fredwatson, but says that if it hits the Earth, it won’t be his fault.
Tour Producer
Tour Producer
Marnie Ogg
For nearly 30 years, Marnie Ogg has brought together tourism, science and people through her passion for travel and the night sky. Alongside her husband, astronomer Fred Watson, she has explored astronomy destinations in more than 80 countries, experiencing how cultures across the world connect with the cosmos. Yet it is Australia’s extraordinary natural asset — its vast, clear and abundant night skies — that has inspired her deepest focus.
Through her tour company, Dark Sky Traveller, and her leadership in establishing the Australasian Dark Sky Alliance, Marnie has championed protection of the night environment while creating opportunities for people to experience it. Now, through Dark Sky Tourism Australia, she is focused on bringing people to space and the night sky in meaningful, regenerative ways — designing immersive experiences that grow knowledge, wonder and custodianship of Australia’s pristine nocturnal landscapes.
Preview Location
Preview Location
Location 1
Start Coonabarabran
Hello. Welcome to Gomeroi land. The first nation people who lived and understood the land you are travelling through today. You may also hear of them spoken about as Kamilaroi or Gamilieray people. But we'll refer to them at the Gomeroi people throughout.
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Major Landmarks
Major Landmarks
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Virtual Solar System planets
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geological landmarks
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Gomeroi landmarks
Getting There
Getting There
Route Overview
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Start locationCoonabarabran NSW 2357, Australia
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Total distance37km
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Final locationCoonabarabran NSW 2357, Australia
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Distance back to start location20km
Directions to Starting Point
This tour starts in Coonabaraban at the Warrumbungle Visitors Centre. Look for the Little Telescope on John Street.
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Tips
Tips
Places to stop along the way
There are 5 designated planets, on this journey from Coonabarabran to the sun at Siding Spring Observatory. The best places to take photos are at Saturn and on Siding Spring Mountain where you'll see Earth, Venus and Mercury.
Best time of day
This is a day time experience, finishing at Siding Spring Observatory. Please check the Siding Spring Observatory Facebook page for opening times.
If you want to do the complete tour, plan your arrival at the Observatory with at least 45minutes on site.
Precautions
Please be careful when stopping at the planets, and pulling in and out of the designated areas with the billboards. If you're travelling at dusk or dawn, watch out for Kangaroos. They are plentiful and can do significant damage.
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