Even fewer can say they spend their time exploring – through drones, cameras and lens – and discussing the mystery of space, stars and all things beyond our own planet.

That’s exactly what the Newcastle Astronomical Society (NAC) does at their meetings however, and their publicity officer Lydia Macokatic has revealed the move to Speers Point Park for their viewing sessions was the “best thing the group has done”.

“We went out there and set up in the parking lot near the pool, and we could see so much while we were watching,” Ms Macokatic said.

“After spending the evening there we had seen a number of constellations, plenty of stars and globular clusters and we even saw things like satellites and the International Space Station travelling past.”

Ms Macokatic also suggested building a local observatory would “entice plenty of interested people” and give schools a place to take excursions.

“There would be plenty of volunteers willing to get involved in an observatory if the councils put some effort into getting on in town,” she said.

She revealed discussions has been held more than 15 years ago on the topics of an observatory in town, but the lead designer and main advocate for the foundation of the site had since retired and moved to Queensland.

Now discussions are beginning again, with Munibung Hill a likely destination for any observatory construction by the local rotary club.

“That’s very exciting news, we haven’t had something like that for Newcastle and Lake Macquarie,” Ms Macokatic said.

“If that happens on Munibung Hill that would be something different, we don’t know what’s happening yet. We’ll definitely be waiting for news on that though.

“Schools can visit, we can man it with volunteers and it would be something that we would absolutely love to have here in town.”

She also invited anyone interested in the “mystery of space” to attend the NAC meetings.

“We always have something to talk about, and we discuss technology and everything about exploration and it’s all very exciting thinking about it all,” Ms Macokatic said.

The NAS is currently offering memberships for $25 a year, and a gold coin donation at each meeting.

Meetings are held at the University of Newcastle GP2:1 building, on the first Friday of every month.

Viewing evenings are held at Speers Point Park on the first Saturday of every month, or as advertised.