A stunningly beautiful astrophotography exhibition is on display at the Museum of Geraldton from today until 20 August 2018.

Since its inception in 2009, Astrofest has become one of the largest science events in Western Australia, and is the only astronomy event of its kind and scale in Australia. The festival is an Astronomy WA event and is coordinated by the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research.

A highlight of the festival is the astrophotography exhibition, which is curated by Dr John Goldsmith of Celestial Visions.

The 2018 Astrofest Astrophotography Exhibition showcases the accomplishments of Western Australian astro-imagers who have recorded stunning astronomical landscape images in locations throughout Western Australia and beyond.

“Images of the cosmos are achieved by these talented photographers using telescope-based imaging combined with the power of sophisticated image processing,” Dr Goldsmith said.

“Their dedicated work has resulted in superb images of iconic nocturnal landscapes, the Sun and Moon, planets, constellations, galaxies, star clusters and nebulae.”

Dr Goldsmith said the 2018 series of the exhibition features superb astro-landscape images that show night-time landscapes and the cosmos, as well as some superbly detailed planetary and lunar images.

“The deep space images once again provide a remarkable clear view of galaxies, star clusters and nebulae,” Dr Goldsmith said. 

“The exhibition showcases the wonderful astrophotography talent we have in Western Australia. With access to some of the darkest skies on the planet, as well as superb remote landscapes, the exhibition showcases the wonder of the night sky, available to us all.”

Museum of Geraldton Regional Manager Leigh O’Brien said astronomy is a key science in Western Australia and one that will be celebrated during National Science Week.

“The near perfect conditions for radio astronomy have seen Australia selected as a co-host of the Square Kilometre Array project, which will be based at the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory in the Mid West,” Ms O’Brien said.

“We are excited to host the mesmerising Astrofest exhibition again and welcome visitors to attend our special events during National Science Week.”

Dr Goldsmith will be in Geraldton 11 – 12 August for the 2018 Goodness Science, Sustainability and Innovation Festival. He will deliver an astrophotography workshop with Ken Lawson from the Geraldton Astronomy Group on Saturday 11 August at the Museum of Geraldton from 10am – 12pm. Dr Goldsmith will also host free exhibition floor talks at 1.30pm on Saturday 11 August and 10.30am on Sunday 12 August

Bookings for the astrophotography workshop can be made via www.goodness.org.au.

Dr Goldsmith’s visit to Geraldton is supported by the Museum of Geraldton, Scinapse and the Inspiring Australia initiative, which is supported by the Australian Government as part of National Science Week. Astrofest is supported by Curtin University, the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research, Alley Cat Merchandise, Celestial Visions, Camera Electronic, Shoot Photography Workshops and Pendoley Environmental.

Media contact
Sharna Craig
Media and Publicity Officer
Western Australian Museum
sharna.craig@museum.wa.gov.au