74 AUSTRALIAN SKY & TELESCOPE January 2018
NIGHT LIFECelebrating sky-high
achievements
Australia has a long and proud history in astronomy and space sciences.
T
he date has been set for the next
Perth Astrofest — Saturday, March
24, 2018. This free event regularly
attracts around 5,000 visitors and is
the highlight of Western Australia’s
astronomy calendar. Celebrating all
things astronomy, stargazing and
space sciencey, the event features
special guest speakers, exhibitors, an
astrophotography exhibition and fun
activities for the whole family. And of
course, dozens of telescopes through
which to view the night sky. Full details
at astronomywa.net.au.
Do you know anyone who is good at
explaining and promoting astrophysics
to the public? Then you should perhaps
consider nominating them for the
Astronomical Society of Australia’s
David Allen Prize, which recognises
excellence in promoting astronomy to
the public. The prize is awarded every
three years, and comprises a trophy
and a sizable cheque. Full details are
available at asa.astronomy.org.au/
DAP/There have been several book releases
recently that will be of great interest to
all astronomy and space enthusiasts.
The first is the long-awaited update and
reprint of Australia in Space, authored
by Kerrie Dougherty, our country’s
foremost expert on Australian space
history and former curator of space
science at the Powerhouse Museum
in Sydney. First published in 1993, the
book is a carefully researched record of
the highlights of our nation’s activitiesin space, as well as a beautifully written
and illustrated work dedicated to the
many participants in the Australian
space adventure over a period of 70
years since the founding of Woomera.
You can order it here: atfpress.com/
product/space-in-australia/
Next up is Radio Astronomer: John
Bolton and a new window on the universe,
by Peter Robertson, which tells the story
of “the leading Australian astronomer
of his generation”. John Bolton was the