Under the outback stars with an astronaut
Outback Astronomy
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An evening with Katherine Bennell-Pegg at Outback Astronomy
Written by Linda Nadge, sky guide and co-owner at Outback Astronomy
Wondering what it’s like to spend a starlit evening with one of Australia’s most accomplished astronauts?
At Outback Astronomy in Broken Hill, I recently experienced a truly inspiring night during a quiet, fireside chat with Katherine Bennell-Pegg, Australia’s trailblazing astronaut. Here’s how a simple, informal gathering under the vast far west NSW sky became a meaningful exchange of stories, dreams and ideas.
- Private fireside meeting with astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg at Outback Astronomy, Broken Hill
- Warm, open conversation about science, adventure and the outback
- Inspiration for students, families and all who dream big, have focus
- Practical tips for creating memorable encounters in the outback
Sitting by the Potbelly: Setting the Scene
We host stargazers from all walks of life at Outback Astronomy, but this particular June evening felt intimate and extraordinary. It was a cold, dark night – about 7°C after 7:30pm – when Katherine arrived, accompanied by Alissa from Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum. Delayed flights, jet lag and long days on the road didn’t deter her. The only people present were myself and Travis (we are the co-owners and co-founders of Outback Astronomy), which made the gathering feel all the more special.
Bundled up against the crisp outback cold, we gathered around our trusty woodfired potbelly stove on the Sky Dome Cafe’s back verandah. Thank you again to Mitch at Mitch’s Potbellys, of Uranquinty (near Wagga Wagga) for the beautiful workmanship in making this fireplace, that we have recently named “Flame”.
The darkness around us was deep and pure, broken only by the blaze of the fire and the shimmer of stars above – a scene Katherine is familiar with from her time under the remote dark sky at Woomera, South Australia.
Why This Night Stood Out
Despite her exhaustion from international and domestic travel and official duties – including work with the Australian Space Agency to deliver talks to local school students – Katherine chose to visit, to connect and to share stories with us. That generosity of spirit made a profound impression. In her honour, we poured our favourite Shiraz from Heifer Station Wines, a mainstay at Outback Astronomy for nearly eight years. Conversation flowed freely for two heartfelt hours.
A Conversation Like No Other
What set this apart from other memorable nights at Outback Astronomy was Katherine herself – a “super cool” human being, as grounded as she is accomplished. With humility and humour, she described herself as a “jack of all trades” – remarkably relatable for fellow small business owners like us. We spoke about her years in Germany, her passion for inspiring the next generation in STEM (subjects taken at schools and universities like science and maths), and even swapped thoughts on politics, global personalities and the science of space missions. Nothing was off limits, and not once did the conversation lag. We spoke of the international space station, space companies and their owners, presidents and ministers and prime ministers, hard work and motivation, training to be an astronaut and the old ways versus the new ways when in “astronaut training school”. Each and every topic was addressed with diplomacy, based on clear knowledge or experience, and answers were balanced. “I’m not afraid to say ‘I don’t know’” she said at one point.
Who Needs to Hear This Wisdom and These Stories?
I walked away convinced: encounters like this shouldn’t be rare.
Students from all over far west NSW deserve the chance to meet people like Katherine – leaders whose stories spark curiosity and ambition. But it’s not just for kids. Parents, teachers and community members all benefit from the energy and perspective that inspirational guests bring. In the future, we hope to host events with the Australian Space Agency and the Powerhouse Museum for all to attend (locals and visitors), making it easier for our region’s dreamers to meet their role models – no matter how remote their home.
Perhaps some of our guests past, present and future, might be able to help us help our community get better connected with people like Katherine. If so, don’t hold back. Reach out to us at info@outbackastronomy.com.au to share thoughts and contacts.
How We Plan to Host Meaningful Outback Encounters (With Your Input)
Open and welcoming: Our venue is laid-back, set amongst the unrushed pace of the outback and this allows for deep, unhurried conversations.
A special atmosphere: A warm fire, good wine (nearly “local”, from just down the road at Orange, NSW, and also vineyards near Mildura, Victoria) and genuine hospitality go a long way.
Diverse guests: Inspirational role models do come from all walks of life. Don’t underestimate the impact of inviting someone “out of the ordinary”. If you have ideas, please contact us.
Think beyond students: We seek to engage everybody including travellers dropping past on a road trip, whole families and solo travellers – everyone can be inspired.
Keep dreaming big: Somewhere in far west NSW might be a future astronaut, engineer or scientist. Our job is to fan those sparks of curiosity into lifelong passions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Join our mailing list and follow us on social media for upcoming announcements.
We have been visited by many different astronomers, professors, scientists and passionate enthusiasts – many never made it to our blog posts or social media, though Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith may be one exception, some years back.
Yes! Contact us to discuss tailored programs for school groups or community organisations. Outback Astronomy will be pleased to work with you to attract guest speakers to inspire us all.
All year round is fabulous provided the sky is clear. Some folks prefer the cooler months (May–September) when the central area of the Milky Way Galaxy crosses our sky. Others prefer the warmer months (October to April) when the vastness of the galactic disk retreats to lower areas along the horizon allowing deep viewing into the universe beyond our galaxy.
Visit https://www.space.gov.au/Katherine-Bennell-Pegg the Australian Space Agency.
Visit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katherine_Bennell-Pegg Wikipedia.
Outback Astronomy aims to make the wonder of the universe accessible to everyone, right here in Broken Hill. Even on the coldest winter nights, the warmth of shared curiosity and conversation can light up the darkest sky – and perhaps inspire the next generation of outback explorers.
