Astronomers use the Parkes CSIRO Radio telescope to measure the radio energy produced naturally by objects in the universe such as stars, galaxies and clouds of dust and gas.

Occasionally the Parkes telescope will assist space exploration missions by acting as a receiving station to receive radio transmissions from space craft but the main focus remains astronomy.

The movie The Dish was loosely based on Parkes involvement with the Apollo moon landings. Parkes has also starred in television commercials, documentaries and even a Korean romance movie.

In this vodcast, Mr John Sarkissian from CSIRO Astronomy and Space Science explains the achievements of the astronomers that use the Parkes telescope and the grandeur of the universe that they explore.

Read more about Understanding the Universe.