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The Perth Observatory Astrograph
Perth Observatory Standard Astrograph with Mr. Hyman Solomon Spigl – Perth Observatory Archives P129-1 The Perth Observatory’s 13-inch* Sir Howard Grubb ‘Standard’ Astrographic telescope arrived in Western Australia aboard the steamship Devon  in early 1898. Western Australia’s first Government Astronomer, William Ernest Cooke, was interviewed by The West Australian  newspaper in Albany on 6 November 1897, shortly after returning from England on the ship Austral . Having insp
Craig Bowers
Nov 91 min read


The Perth Observatory Meridian Transit Circle
The Perth Observatory's 6-inch* Troughton & Simms Meridian Reversible Transit Circle arrived in Australia in 1898 and was immediately put to work. Its first use was to set the State's latitude & longitude, as well as the State's standard time; from 1901 it was then used to create a standard star reference frame of 420 stars for the Perth Astrographic Catalogue covering the declination zone -32°S to -40°S. The Perth Observatory in Western Australia provided a crucial southern
Craig Bowers
Oct 211 min read


Perth Observatory
This is a compelling summary of the history of Perth Observatory.
Craig Bowers
Sep 306 min read


Welcome
This is a new website devoted to the history of Australian astronomy.
Nick Lomb
Sep 262 min read


The Australia Telescope
The opening of the Australia Telescope in September 1988. Photo Nick Lomb The opening of the Australia Telescope in 1988 was very...
Toner Stevenson
Sep 231 min read


Anglo-Australian Telescope
The 3.9 Anglo-Australian Telescope at Siding Spring Observatory pictured in 2012. Photo Nick Lomb This telescope, built jointly by the...
Dirk Goes
Sep 231 min read


Ballarat Observatory
Ballarat Observatory. Photo Nick Lomb. Ballarat observatory, in the state of Victoria, opened in 1886 as the first municipal...
Dirk Goes
Sep 231 min read
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