About Southern Skies
A number of years ago a group of Orange residents had a vision to create an educational and tourist facility that would complement and enhance the astronomical heritage of the Central West. Although they came from a diversified range of backgrounds all had a common interest of advancing community understanding of astronomy and science generally.
To that end they formed the not-for-profit organisation Orange Planetarium Incorporated (OPI) and proposed the establishment of a public and educational science facility within the town.
Since the original idea was discussed the project has grown until plans now include an 80 seat capacity planetarium, a multiple telescope observatory, a lecture/workshop room, function room, exhibition areas, gift shop and snack bar. It is now known as ‘Southern Skies Earth and Space Centre’ and will be managed by OPI.
From the start OPI’s aim has been to foster community understanding of the sciences while simultaneously offering a major attraction for visitors and tourists to the region. Southern Skies will fulfil this aim and has the potential to become an important focal point within the region as its diverse range of entertainment and educational programs on offer will bring families and school students together to experience stunning, fully immersive worlds.
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News & Events
In the news
1 April 2011
Following the successful public launch in March Southern Skies has been hitting
the news all over town. Check out some of the stories on Prime, WIN, and in the Central West Daily here
Public Launch
16 March 2011
After 8 years of planning OPI has gone public! Our public launch held at the Orange Civic Center
was a great success and was well recieved.