Koonibba community opens observatory to share Indigenous astronomy

The Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation and Southern Launch opened the Koonibba Observatory in far west South Australia to share Indigenous astronomy and provide a viewing point for rocket launches.

The facility features a Sky-Watcher Flextube 400P telescope that measures over 150 centimetres when extended. More than 20 community members are currently undergoing training from Southern Launch to learn how to operate the equipment.

The corporation plans to use the site to develop tourism and create jobs while teaching young people about science and technology. The observatory sits near the Koonibba Test Range, where Southern Launch has conducted commercial rocket launches since September 2020. Southern Launch chief executive Lloyd Damp stated the facility cost over $1 million to build. He expects the site to attract tourists who want to watch rocket launches and satellite re-entries.

Some community members expressed concern regarding how the site will handle sacred knowledge. Aunty Sue Haseldine, a Googatha elder, questioned whether guides will oversimplify ancient stories for tourists or maintain the deeper cultural significance of the stars. The community of Koonibba has roughly 140 residents, with more than 96 per cent identifying as First Nations.