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This presentation was delivered at the first HAAC seminar, 19 November 2025. Link to the 16 minute YouTube recording: https://youtu.be/GcCqDp7uvC8 Speaker: Dr Martin George, Principal Astronomer at Hive in Ulverstone, Tasmania. Abstract: Pioneering radio astronomer Grote Reber (1911-2002) is famous for his construction of the world’s first purpose-built radio telescope in 1937 in the USA, which resulted in a radio map of the sky at the frequency of 160 MHz. However, he later took a great interest in work at much lower frequencies. Beginning in 1954, Reber spent much of his life in Tasmania, where he had learned that ionospheric conditions were more suitable for this work. After initially working with Graeme Ellis (who was later appointed as Chair of Physics at the University of Tasmania), he went on independently of Ellis and other University researchers to build antenna arrays near the Tasmanian towns of Kempton and, more significantly, Bothwell. At the latter site, he gathered data that enabled him to construct a radio map of the southern sky at the frequency of 2.085 MHz. Bio: Dr Martin George is Principal Astronomer at Hive in Ulverstone. He is passionate about public communication of astronomy, being well known in the media and making frequent appearances on radio and television since 1973 to discuss astronomy and space research. A major interest of Martin is astronomical history; he has written several papers about Tasmanian low-frequency radio astronomy.

This presentation was delivered at the first HAAC seminar, 19 November 2025. Link to the 16 minute YouTube recording: https://youtu.be/6wo1dsWtXg0 Speaker: Fred Watson AM, honorary professor of astronomy advocacy and engagement at Macquarie University. Abstract: Following the development of low-loss optical fibres by Corning in 1970, it was Roger Angel of the University of Arizona who first highlighted their astronomical possibilities and developed experimental multiobject spectroscopy systems for the Steward Observatory. In Australia, David Carter (Anglo-Australian Observatory) and Richard Ellis (Durham) quickly recognised the technique’s enormous potential for the 3.9metre Anglo-Australian Telescope (AAT). Under the engineering leadership of Peter Gray, a series of successful multi-fibre systems was introduced from 1981, evolving by the mid-1990s into the robotic 2dF (2-degree field) system. By 2005, 2dF had completed the ground-breaking 2dF Galaxy Redshift Survey and remains the flagship multi-object instrument on the AAT today. In parallel with these developments, wide-field multi-fibre systems were introduced on the neighbouring 1.2-metre UK Schmidt Telescope by the author, culminating in 6dF (6degree field, 2001), which yielded an enduring legacy with the 6dF Galaxy Survey (6dFGS) and Radial Velocity Survey of half a million stars (RAVE). A subsequent development on the Schmidt was the innovative technology demonstrator TAIPAN (2020), while an investigation into the possibilities of waveguide devices by the author in 1995 helped to pave the way for the science of astrophotonics in which several Australian universities are today world-class players. Bio: Fred Watson AM is an honorary professor of astronomy advocacy and engagement at Macquarie University. From 2018 to 2024, he was the Australian Government’s first Astronomer-at-Large, having served for the previous 20 years as the Astronomer-in-Charge of the former AAO. He led several projects in advanced astronomical instrumentation and spectroscopic surveys and today is actively involved in both the history and future of Australian astronomy.

Photographs of sites connected to the history of astronomy by Nick Lomb Anniversaries offer the opportunity to remember and reflect on the past, what has changed and what have we preserved or adopted long-term. The following anniversaries are intended to stimulate interest in Australian astronomical events that occurred 25 or more years ago in quarter century increments. Anniversaries can have different meanings for those who experienced them or for the consequences of the event. Not all are celebrations. If you would like to contribute please send the date and one line of text (similar to that below) to the HAAC secretary. 2026 1 August 1926 - Dismissal of William Ernest Cooke as government astronomer for NSW In 1926 Walter Duffield moved into Mt Stromlo and observational work began 23 October 1976 - Total solar eclipse passing through Ballarat and Melbourne (50 year anniversary) 6th November 1901, the commencement of the Astrographic catalogue at the Perth Observatory (125 year anniversary) 2027 10th March 1977, the co-discovery of the rings of Uranus at the Perth Observatory (50 year anniversary) 2028 24 May 1978, The Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium was officially opened (50 year anniversary) 2029 In 1929 Mt Stromlo solar observatory Director Walter Duffield died suddenly. He was not replaced for 10 years. 2030 1930 Adelaide Observatory was relinquished by the State and taken over by Adelaide University. Find out more here. 2031 2032 2033 The greatly modified Great Melbourne telescope commenced operation at Mt Stromlo in 1958. (75 year anniversary) 2034 12 September 2009 - From Earth to Universe exhibition for the International Year of Astronomy opened at the Powerhouse Museum, Ultimo. (25 year anniversary) 2035 2036 16th April 1986, The discovery of Cyanogen jets in comet Halley, changing comet theories of the time (50 year anniversary) 31 October 1961 the Parkes radio Telescope was inaugurated. (75 year anniversary) 2037 2038 2039 2040 2041 30th September 1966, the Anniversary of the laying of the 2nd Perth Observatory Foundation Stone at Bickley in Perth hills (75 year anniversary) 2042 2043 2044 2045 4th August 1970, the first minor planet discovered at the Perth Observatory in Bickley, MP 2993 Wendy. Discovered by Mr. P. Birch, Astronomer at the Perth Observatory and named after his wife (75 year anniversary) 2046 8th April 1971, the start of the International Planetary Patrol Program (IPPP) at the Perth Observatory. A NASA funded project who's goal was the continual collection of images and data on the large-scale atmospheric and surface features of solar system planets, most notably Mars, Jupiter and Venus (75 year anniversary) 29th September 1896, the Anniversary of the laying of the Perth Observatory Foundation Stone at Mt Eliza on the outskirts of the City (150 year anniversary)

History of Australian Astronomy Chapter of the Astronomical Society of Australia (ASA) The ASA’s History of Australian Astronomy Chapter (HAAC) brings together astronomers, historians, curators, educators and specialists in this field to collaborate and share knowledge. We note that history can involve serious and detailed archival research to bring the past to light. We encourage all ASA members to share historical information. This could be the history of their institution, people that they had worked with, their own career path or changes in techniques in their research field. We welcome all interested ASA members to join HAAC . Non-members need to join the ASA first. Our Aims include: To foster a community to raise interest in the history of Australian astronomy among ASA members. To recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander astronomies as living bodies of knowledge practiced through cultural traditions and actively include the role of Indigenous Astronomy as part of the history of Australian astronomy. To develop as a public resource a list of Australian astronomical history archives, collections, publications and activity, to encourage collaboration. To encourage members to publish historical papers (including reminiscences). To hold an annual history of Australian astronomy workshop (online/hybrid mode). Our charter is available here . The Saga of the Astrographic Telescope at Sydney Observatory Nick Lomb May 1 Recording of 'Celebrating 60 years of the Melbourne Planetarium - Australia’s oldest operating planetarium' webinar HAAC Committee Apr 23 Rooftop Secrets: observatories at the University of Melbourne Richard Gillespie Apr 9

Alan Vaughan (1946 -2026) Alan Vaughan passed away peacefully on the morning of Tuesday 5 May 2026. Alan completed his honours degree at University of Sydney in 1968 then continued to a PhD searching for pulsars with the Molonglo radio telescope under the supervision of Michael Large. The early discoveries were reported in several papers in Nature during 1968 (e.g. https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1968Natur.220..753L). Alan graduated in 1975 and joined Macquarie University. He continued research John O'Byrne May 17 William Bruce McAdam (1932-2026) Bruce McAdam, photo courtesy Jan McAdam One of the "originals" in radio astronomy - Bruce McAdam - died quietly at home on the night of Monday 27 April 2026, aged 94, some 30 years after his retirement from the University of Sydney. Bruce McAdam was one of the "originals" in radio astronomy. Bruce's first paper titled 'A survey of radio sources at a frequency of 159 Mc/s' was published in 1959. He was full of excellent stories about the Cambridge vs. USyd controversy on radio John O'Byrne May 17 Donald Charles Morton ( 1933-2026) Obituary of astronomer Don Morton who was Director of the Anglo-Australian Observatory from 1976 to 1986. HAAC Committee May 16

Anniversaries Photographs of sites connected to the history of astronomy by Nick Lomb Anniversaries offer the opportunity to remember and reflect on the past, what has changed and what have we preserved or adopted long-term. The following anniversaries are intended to stimulate interest in Australian astronomical events that occurred 25 or more years ago in quarter century increments. Anniversaries can have different meanings for those who experienced them or for the consequences of the ev HAAC Committee May 6