From time to time, the Observatory is closed due to inclement weather or bushfire risk at short notice. See the
SSO Facebook page for the latest information
Siding Spring Observatory (SSO), on the edge of the Warrumbungle National Park near Coonabarabran, NSW, is Australia's premier optical and infrared astronomical observatory.
Since opening in 1964, The Australian National University has operated the observatory site hosting research telescopes from the ANU's Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics (RSAA), Las Cumbres Observatory (LCO) and many other institutions from around the world at this spectacular location next to the picturesque Warrumbungle National Park, Australia's first International Dark Sky Park (IDSP). For more information on the Dark Sky Park, click here.
Research caried out at SSO is varied, from probing the depths of the cosmos in search of "Dark Energy" to searching the Milky Way for other planets and signs of life. Nearly every night there's something new being done, and new discoveries being made.
You can learn more about the various telescopes and the organisations that own and run them on the telescopes of SSO page, or click on any of the logos below to be taken directly to the organisations website.