Western Australia's state observatory, established in 1896 and opened in 1900 at Mount Eliza in West Perth to provide accurate timekeeping and meteorological data, then relocated in 1965 to Bickley in the Darling Range to escape the city's growing light pollution. It discovered 29 minor planets between 1970 and 1999 and made significant astrometric observations during Halley's Comet's 1986 to 1987 return; the state government ended its research programs in 2013, and the Bickley site, heritage-listed in 2005 as Australia's oldest continuously operating observatory, now runs on public tours and school programs staffed largely by volunteers.
Facts
Observatory Typeastronomical observatory 1 LocationBickley, Western Australia, Australia 1 MeasuresStandard Time for Western Australia and meteorological data 1 Operating Principleastrographic telescope taking photographic plates for proper motion studies 1 Classification
Observing Band FAQs
Why did Perth Observatory move to Bickley?
The city's expansion prompted the 1965 move.
The observatory moved to Bickley in 1965 because of the expansion of the city of Perth.
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Sources
1. Wikipedia: Perth Observatory
Lead section, first sentence
The Perth Observatory is the name of two astronomical observatories located in Western Australia (WA).
History section, relocation sentence
Due to the city's expansion, the observatory moved to Bickley in 1965.
History section, founding sentence
The original Perth Observatory was constructed in 1896 and was officially opened in 1900 by John Forrest, the first premier of Western Australia.
First Perth Observatory section
Its chief roles were keeping Standard Time for Western Australia and meteorological data collection.
Perth Observatory Directors section, Harris paragraph
Harris then moved the astrographic telescope, which had been in storage since August 1963, to the new site after arranging its refurbishment; the telescope recommenced observations on 29 March 1968, taking second epoch photographic plates for proper motion studies.
Perth Observatory Directors section, Harris paragraph, photographic-plates clause
Harris then moved the astrographic telescope, which had been in storage since August 1963, to the new site after arranging its refurbishment; the telescope recommenced observations on 29 March 1968, taking second epoch photographic plates for proper motion studies.
In Group: Optical Observatories of Africa and Oceania, Lead sentence
The Perth Observatory is the name of two astronomical observatories located in Western Australia (WA).
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