“Two years ago I could not believe that I got up at 3 in the morning to look at the moon”, a mother of two told us during our weekly TM Universe session at the Visitors Information Centre (VIC). “There I was with my girls looking at the eclipse with hundreds and hundreds of other people. But I have to admit that it changed our interest in the night skies for ever. We’re very dedicated members of TM Universe.”
The eclipse was a great event indeed; and the good news it’s: it is going to happen again. Write in your diary now: Wednesday the 26 May 2021 a full lunar eclipse will be visible from the mountain between 7 and 12 pm. The Team of TM Universe will keep you informed closer to the event.
And if you can’t wait that long: On Monday the 30th of November a partial lunar eclipse will occur early in the evening, low over the North Eastern horizon. The moon will rise at 6.20 pm, reach the maximum cover as depicted in the figure at 7.42pm and will end around 9.45pm. A location with a view to the Northern Gold Coast should do the job (unless it’s cloudy of course!)
The girls coming with Mom to the VIC, were in between fully emerged in the Virtual Reality demonstration. So excited to see the stars, and the rockets, and….. so much more. Each Saturday between 11 and 12 members of TM Universe can enjoy the demonstration there. Our volunteers also give information about the project and have merchandise for sale: the T-shirts are selling well!
This exciting community driven project is rapidly gaining momentum. In the major fundraiser, “Buy a Block are less than 1/3 of the 200 blocks left. For $ 200 you can still become a Founding Member of TM Universe and get your name, your family name of business on one of blocks that will be used to rebuild the former TM Observatory, which will be home to the original TM Telescope (the biggest amateur telescope of the Southern Hemisphere at the time).
At the VIC session you can ask our staff all about the project. You give us your suggestions and ideas, donate some time or money for support, or express any concerns or questions. TM Universe is 100% transparent and always will be, given that it is a project by and for our community.
For more information:
www.tmuniverse.com.au
www.facebook.com/TMUniverse.AUS
www.instagram.com/tmuniverseqld/