Melbourne Observatory
Observatory code | 907 |
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Location | Victoria, AUS |
Coordinates | 37°49′47″S 144°58′30″E / 37.8297°S 144.975°E |
Website | asv |
Telescopes | |
Related media on Commons | |
Melbourne Observatory is an observatory located on a hill adjacent to the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. The observatory commenced operations in 1863 and was decommissioned from official Government work in 1945. The observatory has since continued as an astronomical observatory and remains open to the public.[1] Melbourne Observatory is also permanently on the Australian National Heritage List under 'Melbourne's Domain Parkland and Memorial Precinct' since early 2018.[2]
History
Melbourne Observatory was founded in 1862 to serve as a scientific research institution for the rapidly growing city of
The idea for a Melbourne Observatory was first proposed by English astronomer
Shortly after founding a 48-inch (120 cm) telescope was installed at the observatory for astronomical research and for a while it was the largest fully steerable telescope in the world. This instrument was referred to as the "Great Melbourne Telescope".
In 1874 the observatory took part in the worldwide effort to observe the Transit of Venus in order to better determine the distance of Earth to the Sun.
Towards the end of the 1880s the observatory took part in the international "Carte du Ciel" project to map the heavens using the, then novel, technique of photography. Being the most southerly of the sites taking part, Melbourne was assigned the region around the south celestial pole south of declination -65°.
With the coming of
Today, while most of the original buildings still stand on the site, only two of the original instruments remain. Both were installed in 1874 to observe the transit of Venus. One is an 8-inch (20 cm)
The
See also
References
- ^ "Astronomical Society of Victoria Inc - Melbourne Observatory". asv.org.au. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
- ^ "Australia's National Heritage List". Australian Government - Department of Agriculture, Water, and the Environment. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
- ^ Wilson, William Parkinson (1826–1874) Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 6, 1976
- ^ Mulcaster, Glenn (21 February 2012). "Great Melbourne Telescope to see night again". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
- ^ Money, Lawrence (15 January 2014). "Rebuilding the Great Melbourne Telescope has universal appeal". Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
- ^ Gillespie, Richard. "Engineering Work Begins". The Great Melbourne Telescope. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
- Tan lights put stars in the shade, Clay Lucas, The Age, 28 September 2007.