The call for people to view the night sky through a telescope is one of the many events organised as part of the International Year of Astronomy (IYA).

Perth Observatory and Scitech are holding a series of events across '100 Hours of Astronomy' as part of the International Year of Astronomy / Image: Istockphoto

Astronomers from Perth observatory in Bickley, originally built at Kings Park in 1896, will be at the Kings Park Education Centre in the Botanic Garden off Forrest Drive from noon to 10pm each day.

“One of the key goals of the 100 Hours of Astronomy is to have as many people as possible look through a telescope for the first time, as Galileo did 400 years ago,” Government Astronomer James Biggs said.

Historical research has determined that Galileo sketched details of the Moon in November and December 1609, using a telescope with a magnification of only 20 times.

People who have never seen celestial objects unique to the southern skies over Western Australia are particularly welcome to take a peek.

The 100 Hours of Astronomy is a 2009 IYA Cornerstone Project, with various events organised worldwide.

Dr Biggs says 100 Hours of Astronomy offers astronomers the opportunity to involve local communities in activities including observing the Sun, Moon and planets such as Mars, Saturn and those believed to harbour life in distant galaxies.

Globally, the event will take place as the Moon moves from first quarter to gibbous - when the size of the illuminated portion is greater than half but not a full Moon.

The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia will begin 100 Hours of Astronomy on April 2 with a live, interactive web stream. Its Galileo exhibit features one of only two remaining telescopes the astronomer used to observe the heavens four centuries ago. It is the first time the telescope has left Italy.

Perth Observatory is not the only local participant in the event. Scitech is hosting several star gazing events at various locations throughout the 100 hours, beginning with ‘Space Pirates’ on April 2 at Little Creatures in Fremantle.

City Beach Surf Lifesaving Club will play host to ‘Big Scopes at the Beach’ on April 3, and Scitech will round out the 100 hours on April 5 with ‘Big Scopes in Busselton’ under the clear skies south of Perth’s light pollution.

Further information at www.perthobservatory.wa.gov.au and http://www.100hoursofastronomy.org.

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