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 hemisphere astrometric observatory connection between the Eastern States (Sydney & Melbourne observatories) and Cape Town Observatory in South Africa.

The telescope can still be seen in the foyer of the main building at the Perth Observatory in Bickley, Western Australia after being fully restored for the Observatory's centenary in 1996.

*15cm

Perth Observatory Meridian Transit Circle - Perth Observatory Archives