Moon Landing Broadcast Donated By CSIRO

As the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing approaches on 21 July, CSIRO and the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia have ensured the original TV broadcast will be preserved for future generations.

NASA gifted the only official copy of the footage held outside of the United States to CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, in recognition of Australia’s crucial role supporting the Apollo 11 mission.

Ground stations in Australia played an essential role in the success of the Apollo 11 mission, receiving and relaying images to the world, tracking spacecraft and monitoring  astronauts’ health.

Sharing this historic event, which was seen by over 600 million people around the world, would not have been possible without this strong US and Australia partnership.

Communicating with the Apollo 11 lunar module Eagle and sharing news of the ‘giant leap’ was made possible by the technology and teams at NASA’s tracking stations at Goldstone, California and Honeysuckle Creek near Canberra, and CSIRO’s Parkes radio telescope in NSW.

NASA switched from Goldstone to Honeysuckle Creek for the first nine minutes of the broadcast, before transferring to the stronger signal being received by CSIRO’s Parkes radio telescope, which was then used to share the remainder of the twoand- a-half-hour broadcast with the world.

Executive Director of CSIRO’s space programs, Dr Dave Williams said Australia’s unique geographical location made it a natural choice for NASA to establish ground tracking stations, which need to be located at equal distances around the world to maintain constant contact with spacecraft.

“Our collaboration with NASA extends for almost sixty years,” Dr Williams said. “Australia continues to play a pivotal role in NASA’s Deep Space Network, tracking more than 40 spacecraft from the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex – which CSIRO manages on NASA’s behalf – and lending our Parkes radio telescope to support missions such as Voyager 2, which recently entered interstellar space.”

“Today we’re delighted to accept this donation from CSIRO to add to our collection, which preserves key moments in Australia’s history,” said Jan Muller, CEO of the National Film and Sound Archive.

Vision of the moonwalk was transmitted via a 66cm radio dish on top of the lunar module that used just 20 watts of power – the same energy output as two LED light bulbs. The faint signals then travelled 384,000 kilometres to Earth where they were received and converted to a signal normal televisions could receive.

“It was an honour to receive the official copy of the footage from NASA and to donate it to the National Film and Sound Archive for the benefit of future generations,” said Dr Dave Williams.

Finalists Announced For The ‘David Malin Awards’

The Central West Astronomical Society (CWAS) is proud to announce the shortlisted finalists in the 2019 CWAS Astrophotography Awards – the ‘David Malin Awards’. The winners will be announced and presented with their awards during the 2019 CWAS AstroFest, which will be held in conjunction with the CSIRO Parkes Observatory’s Apollo 11 Open Days, from 20-21 July 2019.

This year’s competition had eight categories: Deep Sky, Wide-Field, Solar System, Nightscapes, Animated Sequences (Scientific and Aesthetic), Themed Section – “Memories of Apollo”, and a Junior section (18 years old or younger). The entries were judged by world-renowned astrophotographer, Dr David Malin, who was unaware of the identity of the photographers.

“This year’s pictures are the best I’ve seen in the 15 years of the competition. I was very impressed by the technical and aesthetic qualities of the images we received”, said Dr David Malin. To view the shortlisted finalists, visit http://www.cwas.org.au/

It was not just technical skill that was assessed – prizes are awarded to pictures that are technically excellent and capture the beauty of the sky and the intrinsic interest of astronomy in an aesthetically pleasing manner. The winners will be presented tonight, Friday 19 July, at the CSIRO Parkes Observatory’s Visitors Centre.

Canon Australia is supporting the competition with Estore Voucher prizes to the value of over $10,000. “Canon is proud to continue to be involved with the CWAS AstroFest,” said Kate Guaran, General Manager, Consumer & Product Marketing – Canon Australia. “It enables us to celebrate the people who truly capture the beauty of what is possible.”

The associated exhibition will be on show at the CSIRO Parkes Observatory’s Visitors Centre for 12 months. For more information about the ‘David Malin Awards’ and the 2019 CWAS AstroFest, visit http://www.cwas.org.au/astrofest/.

A series of public art panels have been given a second life, going on display in the Parkes CBD for the second time as part of this year’s NAIDOC celebrations. Council have partnered with the St Vincent de Paul Society to have the ‘Erratic Symbiosis, Unearthing Past Voices – Sowing Future Visions’ panels installed on the exterior wall of the Parkes Vinnies shop, facing the Post Office carpark.

The artwork was part of a temporary exhibition back in 2017, formally located on the corner of Church and Clarinda Streets, as part of the NAIDOC celebrations that year. Council’s Destination Marketing Manager, Kelly Hendry said “by repurposing the panels, we are extending the life of the artwork, brightening the CBD, giving exposure to the
local artists, but more importantly, promoting the message of reconciliation and working together as a community for a shared future.”

“A big thank you to the St Vincent de Paul Society for supporting the public art program and offering their wall to display the artwork.”

The paintings were a collaborative project between Indigenous and non-Indigenous groups and individuals, including local artists Scott Turnbull, Sean Cassidy and Scott ‘Sauce’ Towney, as well as Parkes Painters, Parkes Potters and Craft Corner. The panels have just been installed in their new location, to coincide with 2019 NAIDOC
Week (7 – 14 July).

Wilcannia Forbes Central Council Executive Officer of the St Vincent de Paul Society, Kelly Morgan said “we are honoured to have this artwork displayed on the wall of our Vinnies store in such a prominent position in the lead up to NAIDOC Week.”

“This is an opportunity for the Society to reaffirm our commitment to reconciliation between the broader Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” said Ms Morgan.

A crowd gathered to celebrate NAIDOC Day on Monday, despite the rainy weather which prompted the change of venue from Cooke Park to the Parkes High School Hall. The acronym, NAIDOC, comes from the original committee which organised the national activities during NAIDOC week, the ‘National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee’. Each year a different theme is chosen to highlight important issues for the week, with this year’s theme being Voice, Treaty, Truth.

This year’s theme promotes the three key elements to the reforms set out in the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and it emphasises that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have always wanted an enhanced role in decision-making in Australia’s democracy.

This theme was prominent in Monday’s program of speakers and activities, including performances by the Galumaay & River Spirit Dance Groups, and two aboriginal youths sharing their truth about the challenge of being accepted by Aboriginals and non-Aboriginals due to the lighter colour of their skin.

The NAIDOC Awards were also presented, recognising an Indigenous Australian who makes outstanding contributions to others in their community and beyond.

Congratulations to Michael James who won the Parkes NAIDOC Indigenous Community Person of the Year, and Kyah Turnbull who won the Parkes NAIDOC Youth Indigenous Person of the Year for 2019.

Parkes Shire Library is moving to its new, temporary home in Clarinda Street as work commences on the expansion of the current library building.

The innovative and modern, architecturally designed, indoor and outdoor facility will provide additional space including a gallery, meeting rooms, quiet study areas, additional room for children’s programs, places to connect with technology and ‘green areas’.

Manager Cultural, Education and Library Services, Kerryn Jones said “Not only will these upgrades bring enormous benefit culturally and socially to the Shire, economic benefits will flow in from visitors coming to town for art exhibitions and cultural workshops.”

While the exciting new library space is being built, Parkes Shire Library will relocate in August to Shop 2, 250 Clarinda Street, Parkes (alongside Discount Dave’s) for a period of 12 months. The Library will continue to offer as many of their regular programs and activities in the new location as possible.

“To allow us to relocate into our new space in Clarinda Street, the Library will be closed from Monday 5 August until Monday 2 September. Access to online collections and resources will still be available during the closure period. We have also extended the loan period for an additional 30 days, as well as increased the number of items that can be borrowed,” Kerryn added.

The Returns Chute will continue to operate as normal until Saturday 24 August. From Monday 26 August, book returns can be made at 2/250 Clarinda Street.

Throughout the closure period, two computers will be made available for free public use at Parkes Shire Council’s Administration Office at 2 Cecile Street, Parkes. Items can be scanned and faxed for free, or printed and photocopied at a cost, starting at $0.30. The branch libraries at Peak Hill, Trundle and Tullamore will continue to operate as normal.