Parkes Radio Telescope, early morning

I have been fortunate to spend time in both the Austalian National Telescope NSW Facilities, at Narrabri and at Parkes (‘The Dish’).

It was so interesting to observe and record the activities at these facilities, choosing the time and place to sketch the activities and then create paintings in a workshop space that was all mine to use for a fortnight. Heaven!

I was given complete freedom everywhere (tricycle provided!) and watch the scientists and engineers at work as well as the wildlife and the various elements of the built environment scattered around the sites. At Parkes my visit culminated in the Open Day celebrating it’s 50th anniversary.

Spectacular by day or night

The radio telescope array, Australia Telescope National Facility, 2008.

The radio telescope array, Australia Telescope National Facility, 2008

Skytrackers Dreaming - the antennae and the tree reach for the sky.

Skytrackers Dreaming – the antennae and the tree reach for the sky

NARRABRI

Parkes Radio Telescope, Crowds at Open Day, 2009 Parkes Radio Telescope, Crowds at Open Day, 2009
Parkes Radio Telescope, Crowds at Open Day, 2009 Open country around the Narrabri telescopes. Parkes Radio Telescope, early morning "Quiet, please" - observers at work ATNF - Cleaning before Open Day Parkes - ATNF scrum in the dish ATNF - Out with the old; in with the new ATNF - Computers off to the tip

PARKES

Parkes Radio Telescope, with NASA's moon lander in foreground Parkes Radio Telescope, with NASA’s moon lander in foreground
Parkes Radio Telescope, with NASA's moon lander in foreground Artist's transport, Parkes ATNF Parkes - Tidying the paddocks for Open Day Parkes - Open Day tour group Parkes - Marquee for Open Day Parkes Radio Telescope, western sunset The 'Astro Boys' visit Parkes Radio Telescope for Open Day 2009