Starry, starry night
18 May 2015
A number of intrepid stargazers from the Men's Probus Club of Booragoon and their partners made an evening visit in April to The Perth Observatory, situated at Bickley in the Perth Hills.
Despite some rather invigorating weather and annoying drifting clouds, we used several telescopes to observe craters on the moon and the moons orbiting Jupiter. In addition, we inspected some significant historical instruments. One photograph features an astrographic telescope, which was manufactured in 1897 and is still in working condition. From 1901 right up to 1991, 28 000 photographic glass plates were created using this telescope.
The Perth Observatory was first envisaged in 1891 and was established in Perth in 1897. Eventually, the site became unsuitable because of light pollution and a new site in the Perth Hills was opened in 1966, 70 years after the original Observatory was opened.
Night tours began in the late 1980s and catered for the general public, schools and special interest groups. Further building was undertaken in the 1990s to house a variety of telescopes and a museum was created.
In 2013, the position of Government Astronomer ceased and the Observatory now forms part of the Department of Parks and Wildlife. Expert volunteers now continue to maintain the museum and conduct interesting educational tours.
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