Marvel at the beauty of ‘The Dish’ in the viewing area
Parkes radio telescope was one of the first to be built as a big, movable dish. The moving part of the telescope weighs 1000 tonnes – as much as two Boeing 747s – but it is not fixed to the tower. Instead, the giant dish sits on top of the control tower with its own weight holding it down. From our dedicated viewing area you can watch as the dish moves, controlled by astronomers as they explore the Universe.
Explore the astronomy and space science exhibition
This modern exhibition takes you on a journey exploring the highlights of the telescope’s rich history. Starting as an idea in the 1950s, see how the Parkes radio telescope has matured into a world-leading research facility. The exhibition will also have you pondering some of the big questions like ‘How big is the Universe?’ and ‘What is the Universe made of?’. Entry to the exhibition is free.