U3A Astronomy and Space Science

Next date: Tuesday, 11 August 2026 | 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

PURPOSE

• Present topics in an interesting and informative manner
• Include stories about major contributors to astronomical knowledge over the years
• Explain space-related technology in layman's terms
• Share the joy of immersing oneself in fascinating topics
• Enjoy the company of like-minded people

HISTORY

The group has been around for more than 25 years. It was one of U3A's inaugural programs after its formation.

Jack Cregan formed the group and ran it for many years, with technical/AV assistance from current presenter, Ken Moore. Dr Tony Ward took over after Jack's death, and Ken took over after Tony stepped down. It was originally focused entirely on astronomy, but Ken's interest in technlogy led him to add Space Science to the name and to the topics covered.

DETAILS

The group is open to any U3A members that would like to attend.

Membership in U3A (the University of the Third Age) is open to retired people over the age of 50 for a small annual fee. Group meetings are held in the Community Centre's Room B on the 2nd Tuesday of each month, from 10am-Noon. There is no additional cost for U3A members to participate.

PEOPLE

Usually, 10-15 people attend the monthly meetings. All participants are U3A members, so they are over 50, but otherwise there is quite a lot of diversity. Currently, about a third of participants are women. The group includes former engineers and technologists, but also people with very little technical background, including artists. Most do not own telescopes or any other specialised astonomy equipment or technology.

 

• Ken spends hours each week researching, reading, and watching videos to prepare an outstanding presentation for each meeting.
• The group delves into a different topic each month, e.g. solar system events, eclipses, telescopes, space station activities, updates on exploration missions, plans for future space missions with their goals and technology.
• Cosmology, another group topic, is the study of the universe's origin, its large-scale structures and dynamics, and the ultimate fate of the universe, including the laws of science that govern these areas.

PARTICIPANT QUOTE

"I am a ballet dancer, but my father was in the Air Force and I grew up around airplanes. When I learned about the International Space Station, I was hooked on space. I used to watch it fly overhead at night. I leave each meeting with eyes like saucers at the remarkable things that Ken presents so professionally."

Alison, long-time group participant

When

Location

Yeppoon Community Centre, 80 John Street, Yeppoon, 4703, View Map