Mt Kent Observatory

One of the amazing telescopes at Mt Kent Observatory

The Australian Institute of Physics, with support from the Department of Education, Science and Training offered two series of seed grants this year, enabling a total of 17 projects to be successfully realised across Australia, as part of the Einstein International Year of Physics celebrations.

"Einstein's Astronomical Legacy" was held Tuesday 16th August 2005 from 7pm to 9pm at the Allison Dickson Lecture Theatre at the University of Southern Queensland Toowoomba campus. The event featured a lecture about Einstein's contributions to astronomy, plus a demonstration of live remote astronomical observing. The lecture was delivered by astronomer and author Professor Fred Watson of the Anglo-Australian Observatory.

Fred presented a highly engaging and beautifully illustrated account of how Einstein's work has benefited physics and astronomy, and the talk provided some insight into Einstein the man. As a prelude to the talk, imaging of some astronomical objects was performed in real-time from the lecture theatre, using an internet link to a telescope located at Mt Kent Observatory and equipped with an astronomical imaging camera. The Dean of Sciences, Professor Bill MacGillivray was the master of ceremonies for the evening. At the conclusion of the event, tea and coffee was served.

For more information about this project, contact Brad Carter carterb@usq.edu.au