Public Events

November

Thursday 26 November, 6.30pm
Nicholson Museum

Public Lecture: Professor Robert Hannah (University of Otago)

The Antikythera Mechanism: As above, so below

Lost in a shipwreck in the 1st century BC off the cost of Antikythera, recovered in 1901 by sponge divers, the corroded remains of over 30 interlocking gears have long puzzled researchers. Markings on the dials indicate it was used for tracking time and following the movement of the sun, moon and stars. How did it work? How were the ancient Greeks able to create such a remarkable instrument?

Professor Robert Hannah, University of Otago, New Zealand returns to the Nicholson Museum to present this lecture on the Antikythera Mechanism in association with the Nicholson Museum’s exhibition The Sky’s the Limit: Astronomy in Antiquity. Allan Bromley’s model of the Antikythera Mechanism is currently on display at the Nicholson Museum.

Cost: $30, $20 Friends of the Nicholson Museum and Members of the Kytherian Association of Australia

Bookings essential on 9351 2812 or

Click here for the invitation

Sunday 29 November, 12 noon to 4pm
Macleay Museum

Kids’ Museum: Yolŋu Song and Dance

Come and join us to dance and sing a celebration of Yolŋu spirit and Aboriginal heritage.

Free entry.

Wednesday 2 December, 6pm
Macleay Museum

Curator’s talk and musical performance: Dr Joseph Gumbula

Join us for a musical performance and tour of the exhibition Makarr-garma: Aboriginal Collections from a Yolŋu Perspective, by its curator Dr Joseph Gumbula.

Free entry
Bookings: (02) 9036 5253 or

Wednesday 9 December, 6pm
Macleay Museum

Public lecture: Ray Norris, astrophysicist, CSIRO Australia Telescope National Facility

Walu, Ngalindi and the Yolŋu skyscape

Ray Norris is passionate about the stars and about the tremendous scientific and cultural knowledge of Australia’s – and probably the worlds – earliest astronomers, Aboriginal peoples. In this talk Ray shares his experiences of his work with Yolŋu people, and some aspects of their knowledge of astronomy in their world.

Free entry
Bookings: (02) 9036 5253 or