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April 06, 2026
May 2026 Super New Moon Australia Guide
Between the nights of May 15 – 17 May 2026, we’ll be experiencing a Super New Moon, a subtle but astronomically significant lunar event. Although it won’t be visible in the sky (new moons never are), it plays an important role in understanding lunar cycles, tides, and even the way we observe the Moon from Earth.
This guide explains:
- What a New Moon actually is
- What makes a Super New Moon different
- The real-world effects you might notice
- Common myths vs scientific reality
Let’s break it down.
What Exactly Is a New Moon?
A New Moon occurs when the Moon sits directly between the Earth and the Sun. During this alignment:
- The side of the Moon facing Earth is not illuminated.
- The Moon rises and sets roughly with the Sun, meaning it’s only ‘out’ during the day.
- It appears invisible or hidden in the night sky.
This phase marks the beginning of the lunar cycle, which lasts about 29.5 days (called a synodic month). In many cultures, the New Moon represents
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March 25, 2026
On the first wednesday of August, AGWA will be holding the monthly AGWA meeting at BinoCentral, doors open at 7:00PM, Meeting is from 7:30PM - 9:00PM. Checkout the AGWA Facebook group for more info.
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March 05, 2026
Image credit: Australian Geographic
Wake Up to a Rare Three-Planet Alignment This April 2026: A Viewing Guide
If you've ever wanted to spot a planet - but weren't sure where or when to look - this is your moment. Before sunrise on the mornings of 19th - 22nd April 2026, three planets Mercury, Mars, and Saturn will appear close together in the sky, forming a beautiful and eye-catching planetary trio. All you need to do is look toward the east.
No special knowledge is required. No telescope required (but highly recommended if you want a closer and more detailed look). Just clear, unobstructed skies and a few quiet minutes before dawn.
What's Happening?
From our viewpoint on Earth, the planets will appear to bunch together in a small area of sky. This is called a planetary alignment (or scientifically known as triple planet conjunction), and while it doesn’t happen every year, it is always a treat especially when Mercury is involved because it is harder to spot due to the close proximity
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February 05, 2026
Don’t Miss a Moment: The Best Way to Watch the Matildas at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup
Your Complete Stadium Viewing Guide for the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026
The AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026, hosted in Australia from March 1 to March 21 2026, promises sold-out stadiums, electric atmospheres, and an unmissable chance to watch Sam Kerr and the CommBank Matildas compete on home soil. With demand for tickets at an all-time high, many fans will find themselves seated in upper-level or end sections across Sydney, Perth, and Gold Coast's stadiums.
While stadium atmosphere reaches every corner, fans seated far from the pitch often struggle to see crucial match details such as Ellie Carpenter's overlapping runs down the wing, Mary Fowler's technical dribbling, or Mackenzie Arnold's shot-stopping heroics. The solution? The right pair of stadium binoculars.
Why Bring Binoculars to a Football Stadium?
Fans commenting on their seat views at Accor Stadium from 'A View From My Seat' website
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February 04, 2026
Northern Hemisphere 6-planet alignment on 28th February 2026, image credit: Star Walk © Vito Technology, Inc.
A Six-Planet Parade Lights Up the Northern Hemisphere Sky on February 28, 2026
If you happen to be overseas on February 25th – March 2nd 2026, you wouldn’t want to miss a rare and exciting chance to witness a striking planetary alignment parade as six planets will appear grouped along the same region of the Northern Hemisphere sky: Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune. Such a rare celestial event won't occur again until 2040.
What is a Planetary Alignment
A planetary alignment occurs when multiple planets appear grouped along the same region of sky as viewed from Earth. This happens because all planets in our solar system orbit the Sun along roughly the same flat plane. called the ecliptic. From our perspective, this makes them appear strung out along a gentle arc across the sky rather than scattered in a cluster.
The February 2026 planetary parade is especially
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August 22, 2025
Perth’s Total Lunar Eclipse: How to See the Blood Moon on 7 September 2025
Perth is in the box seat for a total lunar eclipse on Sunday night, 7 September 2025—a classic “blood moon” that anyone can enjoy with a telescope, binoculars or even the naked eye. Below is your easy guide: what’s happening, when to look, where to face, and how to capture it.
Timeline (AWST, Perth)
- Penumbral starts: 11:28 pm Sun 7 Sep
- Partial eclipse starts: 12:27 am Mon 8 Sep
- Totality: 1:30 am – 2:52 am (peak 2:11 am)
- Partial ends: 3:56 am • Penumbral ends: 4:55 am
(All times are local (AWST) for Perth. timeanddate)
Where to look: The Moon starts high in the north-northeast, swings through north into the northwest during totality, and is west–northwest by the end. Altitude drops from ~63° at partial start to ~44° by the end of totality.
How long is totality? About 82 minutes—a nice, leisurely show.
What you’ll see (and why it’s red)
As Earth slips between the Sun and the Moon, our planet’s shadow washes across
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July 10, 2025
FREE Astronomy Viewing Night!
Hosted by BinoCentral- Thursday, July 31st
- 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Unit 1/43 Winton Road, Joondalup
Join us under the stars for an unforgettable evening of stargazing! Whether you're a seasoned space nerd or just curious about the cosmos, this FREE community event is the perfect way to experience the night sky through telescopes and binoculars with guidance from passionate experts.
- Family-friendly
- Great for beginners
- Bring your questions and curiosity!
Come early, dress warm, and let’s explore the universe together.
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May 01, 2025
Discovering the Stars: The Best Beginner Telescopes
Starting your astronomical journey is easier than ever with today's top telescopes for adult beginners. These telescopes combine advanced technology and user-friendly features, allowing you to delve into astronomy and even observe deep space.
With options for every budget, these beginner telescopes offer quality and functionality, including features like computerized tracking and smartphone connectivity. They are designed to be portable and durable, catering to enthusiasts of all ages.
If you're wondering which telescope to start with, our guide simplifies the choice, presenting the best beginner telescopes for various budgets.
saxon 709AZ3 Refractor Telescope
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December 20, 2023
Cancelled - Due to extreme heat and possible storm.
Join our Astronomers here at Binocentral for a FREE 2 hours of viewing the Night Sky from our store at Unit 1, 43 Winton Rd Joondalup, WA 6027.We start at 7:00 pm with the Moon and then as it gets darker we get to see Jupiter and its Moons, the incredible Orion Nebula, and of course that stunning cluster of stars that are known as Pleiades or the Seven Sisters.
Our staff are on hand to answer all your questions about Telescopes and how to use them and set them up.
Another attraction for the evening will be a demonstration of the New ZWO Seestar S50
This is a 50mm Telescope with a built-in camera that will load the image directly to your Mobile device.
Now all of this will be great as long as we don’t have clouds, smoke, or rain so the evening is weather permitting, if you are traveling a distance then please call us @ (08) 6108 4239 before 3 pm on the day so we can tell you if the night is going ahead.
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December 04, 2023
Join our Astronomers here at Binocentral for a FREE 2 hours of viewing the Night Sky from our store at Unit 1, 43 Winton Rd Joondalup, WA 6027.
We start at 7:30 pm with the Moon and then as it gets darker we get to see Saturn and its rings, Jupiter and its Moons, the incredible Orion Nebula, and of course that stunning cluster of stars that are known as Pleiades or the Seven Sisters.
Our staff are on hand to answer all your questions about Telescopes and how to use them and set them up.
Another attraction for the evening will be a demonstration of the New ZWO Seestar S50
This is a 50mm Telescope with a built-in camera that will load the image directly to your Mobile device.
Now all of this will be great as long as we don’t have clouds, Smoke, or rain so the evening is weather permitting, if you are traveling a distance then please call us @ (08) 6108 4239 before 3 pm on the day so we can tell you if the night is going ahead.
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November 08, 2023
Astrofest is a huge event with over 5000 members of the public attending, this year Binocentral along with saxon telescopes are running a competition to win a 6” DeepSky Dobsonian Telescope.
So make sure you have your mobile phone with you as Binocentral will have a few telescopes set up for you to attach your phone to using the brilliant saxon ScopPix 3s smartphone adapter.
Below you will find the details of this great competition.
MOON PHOTO COMPETITION WIN a 6” DOBSONIAN VALUED AT $569.95
How to win?
1. Capture a photo of the Moon using a saxon ScopePix Smartphone Adapter
2. Share your Photo using the hashtag #astrofest #binocentral with our Facebook page
Competition starts at 7pm on the 18th November, last entry must be submitted by 5pm Wednesday 22nd November 2023.
The winner will be announced on Thursday, 23rd November at 2pm on our BinoCentral Facebook.
GOOD LUCK AND HAPPY SNAPPING THERE IS NO LIMIT TO THE AMOUNT OF ENTERIES.