Focus on the history of Australian amateur astronomy

Sat 4th
11:00-12:30

Focus on the history of Australian amateur astronomy

Dr Toner Stevenson, Dr Craig Bowers, Judith Bailey, Elizabeth Cocking

Sydney City Skywatchers, Astronomical Society of Victoria, Ballarat Observatory, Perth Observatory.

This 90 minute presentation series will highlight the way professional and amateur astronomers, living and observing under different conditions and in different states of Australia, have contributed to solar, variable star, eclipse, comet and other astronomical observations. There will be a short introduction to the new History of Australian Astronomy Chapter of the Astronomical Society of Australia explaining how amateur astronomers can contribute to this area of research.

  • Introduction – History of Australian Astronomy Chapter of the ASA by Toner Stevenson, in person (3 mins)
  • ‘Perth Observatory, discovering astronomical history in the archives’ by Craig Bowers, online (20 mins)
  • ‘Rosina Dafter, Queensland's brilliant variable star astronomer’ by Toner Stevenson, in person (18 mins)
  • ‘Barry Adcock’s 66 Year Journey as an amateur astronomer in Victoria’ by Judith Bailey, in person (20 mins)
  • ‘Three Queensland Observers of the 21st September, 1922 Total Solar Eclipse’ by Peter Esca Anderson, delivered on behalf of Peter by Toner Stevenson (18 mins)

Perth Observatory, discovering astronomical history in the archives
Presented by: Craig Bowers
The State-owned Perth Observatory had existed in Western Australia for over one hundred and seventeen years by the time it was closed for research in 2013. It had served a Colony and a State in delivering various scientific services to the people and the government of the day, as well as contributing to the international astronomical and scientific knowledge base. In this presentation I will highlight what the archives have revealed about the endeavours and achievements of the astronomers who worked there.

Rosina Dafter, Queensland's brilliant variable star astronomer
Presented by: Toner Stevenson
Rosina Dafter migrated from England to Brisbane in 1910. In 1923 she became an amateur astronomer, joining the NSW branch of the British Astronomical Association and Astronomical Society of Queensland. She was prolific in her observations of variable stars and in 1937 Dafter became the first Australian woman to be elected a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society. As well as her achievements there were also challenges due to her gender.

Three Queensland Observers of the 21st September, 1922 Total Solar Eclipse
Presented by: Peter Esca Anderson
This presentation discusses three remarkable Queensland amateur observers of the total solar eclipse that occurred in 1922: James Park Thomson, Dudley Eglinton and John Beebe. Thompson observed the eclipse from Goondiwindi, Eglington conducted his observations from a rooftop in Brisbane and Beebe was at Stanthorpe. I also briefly outline how each played a key role in the development of astronomy in Brisbane.

Barry Adcock’s Journey Student to amateur astronomer in Victoria 1957- present
Presented by: Judith Bailey
This presentation will highlight Barry Adcock’s lifetime of commitment to Amateur Astronomy, a journey beginning with building his own telescope. In 1990 Barry received the NACAA Page Medal in for telescope design work and planetary observations including his dedication to observing the planet Jupiter. His leadership of the ASV Planetary Section, and then as ASV President as well as sharing his expertise with many Astronomical Societies Conferences at a local and international level as well as many other achievements will be included. Most recently Barry was awarded the BAA Horace Dall Medal for a marked ability in the making of astronomical instruments.

Dr Craig Bowers was a Meridian Telescope Observer at the Perth Observatory and is currently the honorary historian at the Observatory. Craig worked on the Perth 83 Meridian Star Catalogue which catalogued over 12,000 stars and he also monitored the orbits of double stars. His PhD thesis detailed the scientific history of Perth Observatory from 1960 to 1993. Minor planet 8138 Craigbowers was discovered by Perth Observatory Senior Astronomical Observer Jeff Johnston using Perth’s first research telescopes the Astrographic Telescope.

Dr Toner Stevenson is a history research affiliate with The University of Sydney. She researches the history of astronomy in Australia, in particular, the contribution of women. Her museum career includes Sydney Observatory, the Powerhouse Ultimo and the Natural History Museum, London. She managed the school of Humanities at the University of Sydney. She is the current President of Sydney City Skywatchers.

Peter Esca Anderson is an active amateur astronomer whose interest in practical amateur astronomy dates back to 1958. Since 1975 he has contributed timings of lunar occultations of stars, and, to a lesser degree, asteroidal occultations. As well as publication of his observational contributions and assessment of amateur equipment, Peter has an enduring interest in the astronomical history of the south-east Queensland area and has written and co-authored several published papers about the history of astronomy.

Judith Bailey is affiliated with Dark Sky Victoria. Judith is a long standing member of the Astronomical Society of Victoria, and a passionate advocate for dark skies and the environmental damage that is occurring as a result of light pollution. She is secretary of the Central Highlands Historical Association and has been deeply involved with astronomy heritage at Ballarat Municipal Observatory.