Perth Observatory

Old Perth Observatory at Mount Eliza. Now home to the WA branch of the National Trust.

The Perth Observatory is the name of two astronomical observatories located in Western Australia. The original Perth Observatory close to the city and the Bickley Observatory.

History

First Perth Observatory

Observatory staff, c.1900. The first Government Astronomer, W. Ernest Cooke is seated at the left. His successor Harold Curlewis, is standing in the light coloured suit

The original Perth Observatory was constructed in 1896 and was officially opened in 1900 by John Forrest, the first premier of Western Australia. The observatory was located at Mount Eliza overlooking the city of Perth. Its chief roles were keeping Standard Time for Western Australia and meteorological data collection.

WA Government Astronomers

William Ernest Cooke

William Ernest Cooke was appointed the first Western Australian Government Astronomer in 1896 after a similar posting at the Adelaide Observatory. On arrival in Perth, his first task was to determine the exact latitude and longitude of the colony. He was also able to determine the time of day with greater accuracy. Before his arrival clocks could vary by up to half an hour. The time was announced each day by a cannon still present on the grounds. The design was by the government architect, George Temple-Poole, and features a bold combination of styles.

Harold Burnham Curlewis

Cooke's successor as Government Astronomer was Harold Curlewis who wrote in 1929:

Since the prevailing winds blow over the huge extent of King's Park, its excellence for astronomical work is not impaired by its proximity to the city, as is so often the case with other observatories. ...A glance from the tower, from which a wonderful panorama of Perth may be obtained, shows that no growth of the city can ever adversely affect observing conditions^[1]

Curlewis and the WA border

In 1920 and 1921 Curlewis was involved with the Government Astronomer of South Australia, Dodwell, in determinations to fix positions for marking of the West Australian border on the ground with the South Australian border at Deakin, Western Australia.^[2] In 1921 the same group from the Deakin determinations travelled by the State Ship, MV Bambra to Wyndham, where they were guided by M.P. Durack to a point on Rosewood station near Argyle Downs close to the 129th meridian east longitude (129° east).^[2] They used the relatively new technology of the day, wireless radio time signals, and other methods to fix a position for the Northern Territory border with Western Australia.^[3]

These early determinations led to the 1968 agreement for the formation of Surveyor Generals Corner and a fact that not many will know, that the WA border is not as straight as you may think.^[2] In fact at the 26th parallel south latitude (26° south) latitude there is an approximately 127 metre "sideways" section of the WA/NT border, which runs east-west.^[2][3]

Current Government Astronomer

According to the Perth Observatory website the current Government Astronomer / Observatory Director position is vacant. The Acting Government Astronomer is Mr Ralph Martin. The last scientist to work at the observatory was Dr Andrew Williams, prior to the cessation of all research programs at the observatory.^[4]

Earthquake records

As an earthquake observatory in Perth a Milne-Shaw seismograph was utilised between 1923 and 1959 for the recording of earthquakes in Western Australia. After 1959 the earthquake monitoring was taken up by the Mundaring Geophysical Observatory.^[5]

New building

Perth Observatory 61 cm telescope dome at Bickley.

In the 1960s light pollution from the city of Perth forced the relocation of the observatory to its current site at Bickley near Mount Gungin in the Darling Range. Construction of the new observatory cost $600,000 and was opened in 1966.

Recent History

The observatory has fought off several attempts to close the facility by the State Government, the most serious being in 1987 when it was part of the Department of State Services. An outcry from the public, scientific and amateur communities was helpful in retaining the observatory.

Centenary 1996

In January 1996, the centenary of its foundation, the observatory was transferred to the Department of Conservation and Land Management, now part of the Department of Environment and Conservation.^[6]

Bickley Observatory Heritage Listed

In 2005 the Bickley site was Heritage listed, being Australia's oldest continuing operating observatory and Australia's only remaining State Government operated astronomical observatory.^[7]

Publication

The Western Australian astronomy almanac was published in the 2000s by the DEC as part of the Observatory expertise, utilising staff of the Observatory to edit and contribute. The 2002 publication for the 2003 almanac had an extra subtitle which was not utilised in later editions the really useful guide to the wonders of the night sky ^{[8] [9]}

It had been preceded by Astronomical Data (1965-1990) ^[10] and the Astronomical Handbook (1989-1992 ?) ^[11]

Perth Observatory today

Currently the observatory is involved in Near Earth Asteroid Tracking (NEAT). The Minor Planet Center credits some asteroid discoveries to Perth Observatory.

On 22 January 2013 the WA Government announced that all research programs would be cut and the Observatory would only be open for tours. ^[12]

References

Publication

• Western Australian astronomy almanac. Bickley, W.A. Perth Observatory. ISBN 0-9581963-6-2 (2007 edition)

External links

• Perth Observatory Official Website

Coordinates: 32°0′28″S 116°8′7″E / 32.00778°S 116.13528°E / -32.00778; 116.13528