Outer Space: Stromlo to the Stars
Canberra Museum + Gallery
Exhibition Website
https://www.cmag.com.au/
Available Dates
1st February 2026 - 29th February 2028
Exhibition Size
50 - 75 square or running metres
Price
$5,000.00 (ex. freight)
Originating State
ACT

OUTER SPACE: STROMLO TO THE STARS

OUTER SPACE: STROMLO TO THE STARS brings to life the groundbreaking discoveries and hidden history of Australia’s Mount Stromlo Observatory. Multi-media presentations, unique objects, and oral histories take visitors on a journey from the observatory’s modest beginnings to international prominence.

Discover the role Mount Stromlo Observatory played during World War II; challenge yourself on ‘Guide Star’ – a laser junk game developed especially for the exhibition; listen to the oral histories of residents of the Mountain and be inspired by the Observatory’s latest collaborative astrophysical projects including what will be the world’s largest telescope. What wonders will you discover in Outer Space: Stromlo to the Stars?

VISITOR COMMENTS:

“Stromlo to the Stars was out of this world! Very interesting and educational.”

“Loved Outer Space, a thoughtful and informative story of Canberra’s place among the stars and the people that make it happen.”

“Outer Space: Stromlo to the Stars is beautifully and clearly explained, both history and science.”

 

KEY THEMES AND OBJECTS: 

  • ESTABLISHEMENT 1900s -1938
  • Facsimiles of W.G Duffield’s memoirs and personal items
  • Memorandum upon the Proposed Solar Observatory in Australia, 1909
  • Letter from Alfred Deakin, Prime Minister, 1909
  • Blueprints and historical photos WAR TIME 1939-1945
  • Optical Munitions Factory Prisms, c. 1940s
  • Gunsight Mark III and wooden case, 1944
  • FROM THE SUN TO THE STARS 1946-1960s
  • Nancy Miller, Mt Stromlo, 1968,
  • Embroidery, using appliqué and blackwork techniques.
  • An Atlas of H-Alpha Emissions in the Southern Milky Way, 1960
  • BIG SCIENCE 1970s-2003
  • Model of 2.3m telescope, Siding Spring, c.1980s
  • Spectrograph, c.1980s
  • EVER-EXPANDING 2003-present
  • Gemini South telescope, 2022
  • FARNHAM TELESCOPE Only telescope to survive the 2003 bushfire – please discuss on application
  • FIRST NATIONS PERSPECTIVES AV with a First Nations Astrophysicist

About the Curators

Dr Hannah Paddon

Supporting Materials

Artist TalkEducation KitExhibition Tour ManualInstallation Support AvailableInterpretative / Didactic PanelsLabelsMedia ReleasePublic Program OpportunitiesSignageSignage Templates

Other Materials

  • Clean up space junk on the video game ‘Guide Star’
  • Interactive labels to test your knowledge
  • Lightbox slide viewer
  • Oral History Memory Station: Clabon Allen; Dawn Richardson and Peter Buscombe; Claire Wehner; Hermann Wehner Bok; Norman Banham; Toss Gascoigne; Robert Hogg and Professor Ken Freeman.
  • Astronomical fun! learning program for years 5-6 Dedicated Website

Organised by

Canberra Museum and Gallery

Primary Contact

Rebecca Richards Assistant Director, Exhibitons & Collections Canberra Museum and Gallery 02 6207 2182 Rebeccae.richards@act.gov.au

Secondary Contact

Canberra Museum and Gallery 02 6207 3968 cmag@act.gov.au

Acknowledgements

A CMAG touring exhibition in partnership with the Australian National University and the Academy of Science.

Please note NETS Australia is not responsible for any content appearing on these pages. Whilst consultation is made with applicants to the National Exhibition Register, NETS Australia Inc accepts no responsibility for any loss or damage arising out of any arrangement, agreement, contract or working relationship established through the use of the National Exhibition Register. However every effort has been made to ensure that the images appearing on these pages are correctly attributed and that the relevant copyright permission has been sought.