Search the collections
Transits of Venus, 1874 & 1882
Image: Melbourne Observatory
Source: Museum Victoria
Transits of planets across the face of the Sun were highly important astronomical events, because they could provide data that would assist in calculating the distance between the Sun and Earth, and hence the distances of all the planets from the Sun. These matters were of fundamental scientific importance, because they provided data for analysing the subtleties of the solar system and the gravitational interactions of the planets and the Sun; they also had practical consequences for navigation.
However transits could only be observed from a narrow band on the Earth's surface. Transits of Venus were also exceedingly rare, occurring in pairs only every century or more. The primary purpose of Captain James Cook's first voyage to the Pacific in 1768-1771 had been to make observations of the Transit of Venus on behalf of the Royal Society.
Melbourne Observatory took full advantage of the two Transits of Venus that occurred in 1874 and 1882. The Victorian Parliament provided additional funds to purchase an 8 inch equatorial telescope and a photoheliograph (a specially designed telescope to take photos of the Sun). Two field observatories were also established, to reduce the chance that cloud would spoil the observations. Government Astronomer Robert Ellery and his assistants aided American and German expeditions to Tasmania and New Zealand, by making measurements of stars that would help them locate the precise longitude of their temporary observatories.
The Melbourne astronomers made observations of the 1875 transit at the Observatory, Bendigo, Mornington and Glenrowan. In 1882 observations were made by the Melbourne astronomers from Hobart and Sale. Both sets of results were sent to the Greenwich Observatory in Britain to be added to the observations made from other expeditionary parties.
Items per page: 10 50 (showing 1 - 10) 373 items
-
Standard Volume - Gallon, Primary Standard, Victoria, 1864
Primary standard gallon for Victoria, 1864. The measure has two handles, a strike disc and is housed in a wooden box. It was originally used by the Customs Department as the Imperial st ...
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 1 -
Negative - South Equatorial Telescope, Melbourne Observatory, circa 1880s
The 8 Inch Equatorial Telescope, by Troughton & Simms, London, in the South Equatorial House at Melbourne Observatory, South Yarra, Victoria, circa 1880s. The telescope was acquired by ...
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 2 -
Negative - Equatorial House & Photoheliograph House, Melbourne Observatory
8 inch equatorial house and photoheliograph house at Melbourne Observatory, from the north-east.
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 1 -
No Image Available
Glass Positive - Star Cluster, Melbourne Observatory, 1891
Test photo presumably taken with the newly erected Astrograph telescope at Melbourne Observatory.
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 0 -
No Image Available
Clock Suspension Springs
Clock suspension spring from Melbourne Observatory workshop, to be used for repairs on clocks if required. 6 thicknesses of spring in marked envelopes: 0.0015, 0.002, 0.003, 0.004, 0.0 ...
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 0 -
Negative - Equatorial Telescope, 8 Inch, Melbourne Observatory
Eight inch equatorial telescope at Melbourne Observatory. Telescope made by Troughton & Simms, London, and installed at the observatory in 1874, in time for Transit of Venus observation ...
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 1 -
Altitude & Azimuth Instrument - Troughton & Simms, London, 18 Inch, circa 1836
Altitude and azimuth instrument, or altazimuth, 18 inch circle, made by Troughton & Simms, London, circa 1836. This instrument was used for the Geodetic Survey of Victoria, 1858-71, whi ...
From: London, United Kingdom Images: 8 -
No Image Available
Thermometer - Fahrenheit, Grimoldi
Fahrenheit thermometer, made by Grimoldi, Melbourne. Range +20 to 120 degrees. Used at Melbourne Observatory.
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 0 -
No Image Available
Tide Gauge Clock - J. Newman, London
Pendulum clock, made by J. Newman, London. Used to drive the recording apparatus of a self-registering tide-gauge [registered as ST 29815], which was erected at Williamstown by the Harb ...
From: London, United Kingdom Images: 0 -
No Image Available
Marine Chronometer - Molyneux & Sons, London, No. 1438, circa 1830s
Marine chronometer by Molyneux & Sons, London, no. 1438, circa 1830s. This is one of the first two chronometers used by Government Astronomer Robert Ellery at the Williamstown Observat ...
From: London, United Kingdom Images: 0
