You can check the current status of the visitors centre on the CSIRO website.
The Australia Telescope Compact Array was completed in 1988 and is used by Astronomers from all over the world. Because this telescope consists of multiple antennas I thought it appropriate that it should be a multi cache. Some but not all of the swaps are space orientated so if you can swap in anything that is spacey then I’d appreciate it. You won’t need to stray from any public area or the main access road to complete this cache. If your GPSr is sending you bush or across a fence then something is wrong.
To seek this cache you will find out about some of the telescopes here, both new and old. The displays on the veranda and garden around the visitors centre will provide some clues to the cache’s location. The observatory is open to the public during daylight hours and the visitors centre is normally unstaffed. There is more information about the telescope, visitors centre and how to get there at www.csiro.au/narrabriobservatory
The listed way point is the entry to the observatory (S30° 20.049' E149° 34.685'). At this point you should switch off any transmitters such as mobile phones so you don’t interfere with the telescope.
On the main drive into the observatory slow down at WP1 (S30° 19.481' E149° 34.291') and take careful note of the tall structures to your left and right. What you see is a part of one of the first telescopes built on site. There were many more of these structures in the telescope than you can see from here so you'll have to check the visitors centre for the number to determine the cache's location.
Switch off your GPSr as you continue into the observatory, following the signs to the visitors centre. Even the radio emission from the processor in a GPSr is enough to interfere with the telescope so make sure it and any other electronic devices (e.g. PDA) are switched off. Cameras, including digital, are okay to use.
Take time to have a look at the displays and exhibits around the visitors centre. The inside of the centre is often open too but it is not necessary to access the inside of the centre to find the cache.
The cache is a 2l screw top plastic container located on the drive out of the observatory at S30° 19.SSS' E149° 34.0EE' where:
- SSS = 157 + NN where NN is the original number of tall structures in the telescope you observed at WP1.
- EE = 362 – MMM where MMM is the weight of one antenna of the Compact Array in tonnes.
Once you are satisfied with your visit you can head off for the cache. It is okay to switch on your GPSr as you go over the grid and enter the 60km/h speed zone. The cache is not far down the exit road and is within a few metres of the road.