Mount Burnett Observatory

Mount Burnett Observatory is an astronomical observatory in Mount Burnett, Victoria, Australia. It was the main astronomical observatory for the School of Physics at Monash University from the early 1970s. The original telescope was a 16-inch Newtonian reflector built by Mr L. Jeffree of Bendigo. Observers' quarters were built in 1975 with the aid of a grant from the William Buckland Foundation.[1] A 10-inch Newtonian reflector was added, in a separate structure, in the early 1980s, and in 1985 the 16-inch telescope was replaced with a 0.45-meter Newtonian/Cassegrain telescope.

In the late 2000s the observatory was decommissioned, as it had fallen into disuse and the quality of the site had been degraded by growing light pollution over the years.[2] In 2011 the organization Mt Burnett Observatory Inc. was formed to take over the lease on the observatory and reopen it as a public facility. Founding members were Perry Vlahos, James Murray, Barry Cleland, Ray Schmidt and Ken Beard. In 2012 both telescopes were restored and six additional Dobsonian telescopes acquired for use in an "astronomy classroom"

As of July 2013 the association had over 100 members, making it the third largest astronomical society in Victoria. The association meets every Friday night from 7:30pm. MBO Young Observers meets on the second Saturday of every month.

References

  1. ↑ The Monash Observatory, pamphlet
  2. ↑ John Innis. "A Very Short Unofficial History of the Monash University Observatory at Mt Burnett, Victoria". Retrieved 14 April 2011.

External links

Coordinates: 37°58′22″S 145°29′43″E / 37.9727°S 145.4954°E / -37.9727; 145.4954

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