The Great Outback Sky

For thousands of years humans have been looking up at the night sky, creating stories and making discoveries to further our understanding of the universe.

COSMOS CENTRE

Modern technology has allowed us to look deeper into space and learn more than we ever thought possible. However, with these advancements and increasing populations, light pollution has clouded many of our views of the stars. The Queensland Outback is one of the gateways to the galaxy and Charleville holds the key. Day or night, the Cosmos Centre will open the door and share with you the mysteries that glow above.

Astronomy by Day

Step inside our interactive exhibit where you can see and hold real meteorites, walk through the Cosmos Shuttle, and defend the universe on our original arcade games. You will discover what it takes to be an astronaut and can test your knowledge of the universe.

Sun Viewing

Enjoy this rare opportunity to look through one of the largest hydrogen-alpha telescopes in the world that is available to the public. You will get a close-up view of the Sun and get a chance to take photos of solar flares and sunspots; don’t forget your smartphone!

Big Sky Observatory

The glow of a thousand stars against the dark, outback sky is fascinating for all ages. Using a powerful 14” telescope, your guide will transport you thousands of light-years into space where you will see nebulas, clusters, stars and planets in a way that is not possible to the naked eye. Explore the Milky Way Galaxy and beyond and watch as the cosmos comes to life.

Small and Personal

For those looking for a longer and more personalised experience, we offer access to our 30” telescope which allows us to see far beyond our Milky Way Galaxy. Designed for a small group, your experienced guide will share the origins of the universe and uncover galaxies and objects that even our 14” telescopes cannot see.

Did you know?

The Sun is our nearest star. If you hollowed out the Sun you could fit nearly one million Earths inside of it.

Only 12 people have ever set foot on the moon. Because there is no wind or atmosphere, if you visited the moon today you would still see their footprints.

When you look at the stars you are looking into the past. Light takes time to travel therefore you could be seeing a star that doesn’t even exist anymore! *Please note that the use of a staircase is required to see through the telescope.

Universal Dreaming

Take a step back in time and learn about our ancestral connection to the night sky; a time when humans had a special bond with the stars. Stories were passed down as lessons which gave warning of changing seasons, animal migration, navigation and more. This night-time experience will share knowledge from the past and help us reconnect with the sky through ancient stories that have survived many generations.

Films in the Planetarium – Our Astrodome

Sit back and relax as our movies take you on a journey through space and time, projected inside of our 15-metre astrodome theatre. Two shows are run daily, each designed for different age groups and interests. Shows include:

• The Birth of Planet Earth

Employing cinematic-quality visualisations, this film explores how the Earth became a living planet in the wake of our Solar System’s violent birth, how it came to support life and how we search for other Earth-like planets in the galaxy. Most suitable for ages 12 and up.

• Beyond the Sun

This film follows Celeste, a little girl who wants to explore the universe. Join Celeste on her journey to search for rogue planets, oceanic worlds and discover what exoplanets are and how they can be detected. Learn what it takes to become an exoplanet hunter. Suitable for all ages.

Explore the vast beauty of the night sky

CHARLEVILLE COSMOS CENTRE

Milky Way Drive (off Qantas Drive) Charleville 07 4654 7771

FACILITIES

EVENING STAR GAZING

Evening Star Caravan Park 8 km west of Charleville 07 4654 2430