EXHIBITION: Out There!

"Out there!" will introduce you to a project which is going to revolutionise our understanding of the origin and evolution of the Universe.

The $1.8 bn Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio telescope will be up to 50 times more sensitive than present-day instruments and will be built in either outback Western Australia or South Africa.

Out there! will feature hands-on activities that give insight into the physics behind radio astronomy, including:

* operational radio telescope * models of the SKA radio telescope * science behind radio telescopes * how the SKA will allow the astronomers to "look back in time" * Scitech's new Spacedome planetarium experience * iDome interactive exhibit * "The World At Night" astrophotography exhbition

The exhibition is ideal for lower secondary science and talented primary school science classes.

A public open day on Saturday 9 May will include a lecture by Professor Peter Quinn on the potential of the SKA to understand the mysteries of the Universe including the Big Bang, the Dark Ages and First Light.

Where: The Molecular and Chemical Sciences (MCS) Builiding, The University of Western Australia

When (School Groups): 9:00am-2:30pm, Monday to Friday, 4-15th May (Free event)

When (General Public): 10:00am-3:00pm Saturday 9th May (Free event)

Free Public Lecture: 12 noon on Saturday 9th May in the Wilsmore Lecture Theatre, adjacent to the MCS Buidling.

Sponsored by the University of Western Australia, the Spice Program, and the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR), with generous support from Scitech and Curtin University of Technology.

For School bookings and enquiries contact Jenni Wallis (+61 8) 6488 3263.