A telescope made by one of the professional astronomers

RELATED LINKS: Joburgers spot Venus on the sun CHILDREN from schools around the city gathered early in the morning at the Johannesburg Planetarium to watch Venus move slowly across the sun. Read more There's a little black spot on the sun CELESTIAL skies herald a rare opportunity in June, when half of the planet gets to see an event so extraordinary it has not been seen by any living person. Read more Visit the night skies at the planetarium THE Johannesburg Planetarium is a popular school outing, drawing thousands of visitors a year. Read more What's on YOUR first-stop guide to city events, our interactive calendar ranges wide, from concerts to lectures to DIY shows. Read more This week in Joburg LUCILLE Davie rounds up the best jols in Jozi this week. Read more

Scopex 2006, the annual telescope and astronomy expo, is on at the National Museum of Military History on Saturday

Stars shine brightly at military museum The military museum swings its sights away from battle and to the stars for the fourth annual Scopex, the telescope and astronomy expo. May 5, 2006 By Tabisa Mntengwana TAKE a look at the celestial bodies, learn how to build a Newtonian telescope, or party with the stars at the National Museum of Military History during Scopex 2006, the annual telescope and astronomy expo. Now in its fourth year, Scopex is presented by the Astronomical Society of South Africa, on Saturday, 6 May. This year the expo features self-made and commercial telescopes, books on astronomy, cameras, competitions, presentations by well-known amateur and professional astronomers and other astronomical products. Visitors are able to journey through the electro-magnetic spectrum with Tony and Denise Voorvelt and Barry Myers, members of the society; explore the nature and mystery of time with Matie Hoffman; or visit the Delville Wood Room, where John Scott demonstrates how to make a telescope. Hoffman and Scott are also members of the society. Another member, Case Rijsdijk, gives an overview of what's new in the universe, while the South African Rocketry Association hosts a rocket launch demonstration. There is also an astrophotography competition - photographs must be printed and mounted on a white board, and submitted before 11am. The world-renowned science and astronomy photographer, David Milan, talks about the evolution of photography. This particular talk costs R30. Then, to end off the day, there is a star party at 6pm. Bring along a picnic basket and listen to astronomical society member Dave Gordon speak about the moon, the stars and everything else in the sky. "The show is there to educate and inform people about the world of astronomy, telescopes, rockets and science," said Sharon Tait, the society's public relations officer. Tickets are R10 for adults and R5 for senior citizens and children under 18. For more information, contact the Astronomical Society of South Africa on 011 447 7512. Permission to use web site material Publishers may use material from this site free of charge, as long as: Credit is given to either the "City of Johannesburg website (www.joburg.org.za)" or to "Johannesburg News Agency (www.joburg.org.za)"; If the article is used online, a link is provided to the original article on this website; The name of the article's author is acknowledged; The webmaster is informed of how and where the material is used (fill in this brief online form). Johannesburg News Agency is operated by BIG Media at 011-484-1400 Print this Page E-mail this article to a friend Help using Joburg.org.za