Unlike many other facilities around the world, the Parkes Observatory DOES NOT employ telescope operators
and as such astronomers must be present to perform their observations. The Parkes Observatory is also different
in that these observers sit within the telescope structure and not in a control room located away from the telescope.
To observe, you are required to become a LICENSED OPERATOR. The online training provided here is only meant to
act as a refresher to observers who have been to the site before, but 12 months have passed since their last
visit. The online training can also be useful to first-time observers to test their knowledge of the system
and prepare for their face-to-face training when they arrive at the site.
This refresher should require 20 minutes to complete. Please spend the
time to read the
following information carefully, as it is provided for your benefit. At the end of each page you will be asked a question.
Only by providing the correct answer can you proceed to the next page. If you have made an incorrect choice or left
a question unanswered, the appropriate information will be re-displayed and you will be prompted again for an answer.
Note that you must answer all questions. After you complete the course a notification email is sent
to the maintainers
of the system and your completion registered in a database. First-time observers arriving at the Observatory without
completing the
online course need to go undertake the face-to-face training before observing commences.
Please type your details in the fields below, then click the "Start" button to continue with the online refresher. If
you continue, we will use your details to identify you as the person who has undergone this online refresher course.
