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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

Committee Members HAAC was established in July 2025 to share knowledge on the history of Australian astronomy with astronomers, historians, curators, students and people connected to the history of astronomy from most states and territories of Australia. From this group a representative provisional committee was formed. In March 2026 a formal election was held with assistance from the ASA. HAAC members voted to elect the steering committee members. The Chair position, nominated by Nick Lomb, and the Student Representative position, nominated by Stephanie Rossini-Bryson, were unopposed. At the first steering committee meeting held 25 March 2026 the committee elected the required roles. Chair (2026-2028): Nick Lomb (Vic) Secretary (2026-2028): Toner Stevenson (NSW) Media Co-ordinator (2026-2027): Brenan Dew (SA) Webmaster (2026-2027): Dirk Goës (NSW) Committee members (2026-2028): Craig Bowers (WA), Martin George (Tas) Committee member (2026-2027): Mark Rigby (Qld) Student representative (2026-2027): Stephanie Rossini-Bryson (NSW)

Newsletters Newsletter March 2026

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 15 hours ago William Bruce McAdam (1932-2026) Bruce McAdam, photo courtesy Jan McAdam We are sad to report that 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. John O'Byrne 16 hours ago Donald Charles Morton ( 1933-2026) Obituary of astronomer Don Morton who was Director of the Anglo-Australian Observatory from 1976 to 1986. HAAC Committee 2 days ago 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 The Saga of the Astrographic Telescope at Sydney Observatory The fascinating story of the removal and return of the astrographic telescope and dome at Sydney Observatory. Nick Lomb May 1 1 2 3 4

Parramatta Observatory Sir Thomas Brisbane, then governor of NSW, established Parramatta Observatory in 1821. Initially, its astronomers observed star positions with a transit telescope that provided right ascensions and a mural circle that provided star declinations. A transit circle, an instrument that combined the functions of the earlier instruments, arrived in 1835. Made by Thomas Jones of London, it was placed asymmetrically between two piers. These piers, as shown, are the only extant remains of Parramatta Observatory. Photo Nick Lomb Sydney Observatory Sydney Observatory began operating in 1858, with the Reverend William Scott as the first government astronomer. It is located on Observatory Hill, which is the highest point in central Sydney. The location was chosen so that its time ball could be seen from as much of Sydney Harbour as possible. The observatory is now under the auspices of the Powerhouse Museum. Photo Nick Lomb Melbourne Observatory Melbourne Observatory was established in 1863 under the supervision of Government Astronomer Robert L. J. Ellery. The observatory’s variety of instruments included the famous Great Melbourne Telescope. Two of its instruments were, and still are, in the two domes pictured. The left dome contains an 8-inch (20-cm) lens telescope by the London makers Troughton & Simms, while the other dome holds the Dallmeyer photoheliograph, an instrument designed to take photos of the Sun. Photo Nick Lomb The photoheliograph at Melbourne Observatory The photoheliograph, an instrument designed to photograph the Sun, in a dome at Melbourne Observatory. London instrument maker, John Henry Dallmeyer made this and a number of similar instruments for the 1874 transit of Venus. One of the other photoheliographs went to Sydney Observatory. Although back in its original location, the photoheliograph is privately owned by a senior member of the amateur group, Astronomical Society of Victoria. Photo Nick Lomb Perth Observatory Perth Observatory began operations in 1896 with William Ernest Cooke as its first government astronomer. It was situated on Mt Eliza that overlooks the city of Perth. In the 1960s it was demolished and the observatory transferred to Bickley, about 25 km east of Perth. The residence of the government astronomer remains, as shown. Photo Nick Lomb The dome of the Lowell telescope at Perth Observatory The dome of the Lowell telescope at Perth Observatory is raised nine metres above the ground. The elevation above the surrounding bush improves the telescope’s images by ensuring a smooth flow of air. The telescope was officially opened in 1971 and belongs to the Lowell Observatory in Arizona, USA. Among other research, astronomers using the telescope were the co-discovers of the rings around the planet Uranus in 1977. Photo Nick Lomb John Tebbutt's home observatory John Tebbutt (1834–1916) was a well-known amateur astronomer with an observatory at his home in the town of Windsor, just outside Sydney. He became internationally famous with his discoveries of the Great Comet of 1861, followed up with the discovery of another bright comet 20 years later. Tebbutt’s largest telescope was an 8-inch (20-cm) Grubb lens telescope. After Tebbutt’s death in 1916 the telescope had a number of locations, including over 40 years in New Zealand. It is now back in its original location, in the pictured dome. Photo Nick Lomb Ballarat Observatory Ballarat observatory opened in 1886 as the first municipal observatory in Australia. Its largest telescope is a locally-built 26-inch (66-cm) Newtonian reflector. Shown is the Observatory’s Jelbart dome containing a 5-inch (13-cm) Cooke lens telescope. Photo Nick Lomb Mt Stromlo Observatory The main telescope at Mt Stromlo Observatory was a 74-inch (1.9-m) reflecting telescope. It was opened in 1955 and remained the largest in Australia until the Anglo-Australian telescope began operations in 1975. The telescope was housed in this dome but was unfortunately destroyed in the Stromlo fire of 2003. Photo Nick Lomb The Carnegie image-tube spectrograph The Carnegie image-tube spectrograph at the Cassegrain focus of the Mount Stromlo 74-inch (1.9-m) reflector in 1968. Below is the lifting mechanism that allowed observers to operate instruments at that focus and track with the telescope. Photo Nick Lomb The control desk of the Mount Stromlo 74-inch (1.9-m) reflector The control desk of the Mount Stromlo 74-inch (1.9-m) reflector in 1968, used by the night assistants. Further Mt Stromlo historical images are available at https://archives.anu.edu.au/exhibitions/through-adversity-stars-100-years-mount-stromlo-observatory. Photo Nick Lomb Great Melbourne Telescope Mount Stromlo Observatory purchased Melbourne Observatory’s Great Melbourne Telescope in 1940. The massive polar axis and other parts were then utilised in a new 50-inch (1.3-m) telescope. The 2003 Mt Stromlo fire telescope destroyed the telescope and many other instruments and buildings at the observatory. The photo was taken soon after the fire. Photo Nick Lomb The burnt-out parts of the Great Melbourne Telescope In 2008, the burnt-out parts of the Great Melbourne Telescope were brought back to Melbourne. There the Museum of Victoria and a dedicated team of volunteers from the Astronomical Society of Victoria are working to restore the telescope. The restoration project is continuing, but the now reassembled telescope can be seen at Scienceworks, Melbourne. Photo Nick Lomb Parkes Radio Telescope / Murriyang The Parkes Radio Telescope, now also known by the Wiradjuri name of Murriyang, has been observing the radio sky at Parkes, NSW since 1961. In its early days, the telescope’s most famous activity was receiving the TV transmission of the first footsteps on the Moon in 1969 and relaying the signal world-wide. Many historic pictures of this and other Australian radio telescopes are available at https://www.atnf.csiro.au/resources/imagearchive/. Photo Nick Lomb Anglo-Australian Telescope The 3.9 Anglo-Australian Telescope at Siding Spring Observatory pictured in 2012. This telescope, built jointly by the British and Australian governments, began regular scheduled operations in June 1975. A consortium of Australian universities now manage the telescope but its name has been left unchanged. Photo Nick Lomb The control desk of the Anglo-Australian Telescope The control desk of the Anglo-Australian Telescope at Siding Spring Observatory, pictured in 2012. The AAT was the first large telescope under computer control. Photo Nick Lomb The Fleurs Radio Telescope The Fleurs radio telescope was at Badgery’s Creek, just outside Sydney. It originally consisted of 32 dishes, each of 5.8-m diameter, spread over east-west and north-south arms. After CSIRO transferred ownership to the University of Sydney, new larges dishes were added and the instrument became the Fleurs Synthesis Telescope. The photo shows some of the original dishes. Photo Nick Lomb The opening of the Australia Telescope in September 1988 The opening of the Australia Telescope in September 1988. The core of the radio telescope is the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) at Narrabri, NSW. Four of ATCA’s six 22-m dishes are shown in the image. Photo Nick Lomb The Emu in the Sky The emu in the sky. The head of the emu is the Coalsack nebula, the Southern Cross (Crux) is directly above. Below is the emu engraving at the Elvina engraving site, in Kuring-Gai Chase National Park, near Sydney. Credit: Barnaby Norris & Ray Norris

Contact Us If you have information to share about the history of astronomy in Australia, including photographs, letters of past professional and amateur astronomers, diaries or artefacts, possibly from past family members, please complete the form below. If you have a research question on the history of Australian astronomy also complete the form below. Name* Email* Description of your enquiry or information* Submit

The 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. However, most ASA members, especially more senior ones, have some historical information to share. 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. HAAC has members in all states and territories of Australia and we are collecting information about places, people and events relevant to the history of astronomy. We collaborate with other like-minded organisations to share knowledge and resources. This website is a resource for anyone interested in the history of Australian astronomy and it will develop over time. Our committee Contact Us Newsletters

Celebrating 60 years of the Melbourne Planetarium - Australia’s oldest operating planetarium A webinar from the Astronomical Society of Australia's History of Australian Astronomy Chapter (HAAC), in collaboration with the Australasian Planetarium Society. HAAC Committee Mar 24 2025 Annual workshop Our annual on-line workshop will be held on Wednesday 19 November 2025, 2pm to 5:15pm. It is open to members and non-members of the ASA and the Chapter and is free of charge. The workshop features six presentations demonstrating the breadth of the history of Australian astronomy. HAAC Committee Sep 23, 2025

Recording of 'Celebrating 60 years of the Melbourne Planetarium - Australia’s oldest operating planetarium' webinar Recording of the webinar from the Astronomical Society of Australia's History of Australian Astronomy Chapter (HAAC), in collaboration with the Australasian Planetarium Society. HAAC Committee Apr 23 2025 workshop recording View the first annual History of Australian Astronomy workshop on-line. The workshop features seven presentations demonstrating the breadth of the history of Australian astronomy. HAAC Committee Nov 21, 2025