The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) is to mark the 50th anniversary of Australia’s role in the 1969 moon landing with open days at its Parkes Radio Telescope on 20 and 21 July.
The initial television pictures from the moon and Neil Armstrong’s first steps on the lunar surface were broadcast through the Honeysuckle Creek tracking station near Canberra.
After a few minutes, the higher quality television signal received by CSIRO’s Parkes Radio Telescope was relayed around the world.
As well as tours of the telescope, CSIRO will be offering a range of activities including the chance to drive the telescope to detect pulsars in real time.
Chief Executive of CSIRO, Larry Marshall said visitors will also have the opportunity to hear from representatives of the Australian Space Agency, as well as Australian-born astronaut, Andrew Thomas.
“The Apollo 11 moon landing inspired humanity to dream bigger and even imagine solving the impossible using science and technology,” Dr Marshall said.
“This too is CSIRO’s purpose, solutions from science and our science-driven national challenges and missions of today will inspire our children to solve the challenges of tomorrow, knowing no boundaries but their own imaginations, dreaming as big as space itself.”
He said that on the Saturday evening there will be a screening of the movie The Dish, introduced by one of its stars, Roy Billing, who played the Mayor of Parkes.
CSIRO has also partnered with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) for a live radio broadcast during both days of the event.
