Tamworth Regional Astronomy and Science Centre: tourism attraction set to bring astronomers and space cadets to town

Growing up on a farm on the outskirts of Mudgee, he had little idea the stars would one day align for him to be handed the keys to the Tamworth Regional Astronomy and Science Centre.

That's exactly what happened on Tuesday.

"I think today is an awesome day for the club," Mr Copper said.

"This will be a day-to-day tourist attraction, it's a great all-round facility.

"There's a huge interest in amateur astronomy, we have the gear to do a fair bit of research ourselves and with some of the bigger scopes we can verify exoplanets and all sorts of things with radio-astronomy, because you can see straight through the clouds."

One of the most exciting elements of the build is the planetarium and observatory that's expected to open in April 2021.

It will seat up to 25 people for live or educational sessions with a round rotating dome used to project videos.

There's also the Hewitt observatory, which is the only Hewitt camera to be recommissioned in the world.

It has a 34-inch mirror and weighs more than eight tonnes.

All of the new equipment will help the club find space objects out towards Pluto and a special project called Argus 2 with an astronomy club in England and the UK Ministry of Defence.

And, after all this time looking up at the sky, Mr Copper hasn't ruled out the possibility of alien life.

"There's got to be some out there, just the statistics and the way it's looking now there has to be someone out there," he said.

"I don't know if they'll be as intelligent [as humans], but they might be."

TRC deputy mayor Phil Betts said it only adds to what the region has to offer in tourism and education.

"This facility will allow people right across the community to enjoy astronomy, sciences, 24/7, 7 days a week.

"It has something from everyone aged three to 103 and people right across the region, state and internationally will be able to enjoy this facility.

"Even now people are queuing to come even though the COVID issue is right before us, people do want to be part of this and will come from all over the world to enjoy the southern skies."

In the next two to three months, big telescopes worth millions of dollars will be brought into the centre.

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It won't officially open until next year, but Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson said it will offer new career paths to the region's youth.

"I think it's the way of the future, we consistently look up and look at the stars; whether that's for inspiration, guidance or that next star that nobody has discovered yet," he said.

"The research and development opportunities, and educational facilities this provides are boundless.

"I think this opens the door for the new scientists of tomorrow to come out of this facility."

The centre has been brought to life with $1.8 million from the state government, $460,000 from the federal government and $400,000 from Tamworth Regional Council (TRC); along with in-kind and cash donations from the astronomy club.