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 31 - 40) 373 items
-
Plan - Transit Room, Melbourne Observatory, 1861
Plan from the Melbourne Observatory drawn on off-white paper in black ink showing the West Elevation of the First Transit Room, completed in 1863.
From: South Yarra, 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 -
Photograph - Portrait of Astronomers & Scientists, Participants in Observations of the Tra ...
Portraits of the astronomers and scientists who participated in observations of the Transit of Venus in New South Wales in 1874. Photograph in a photograph album used at Melbourne Obse ...
Images: 1 -
No Image Available
Bar Magnets
Bar magnets used at Melbourne Observatory to remagnetize dip needles, for measurement of geomagnetism. In a mahogany case.
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 0 -
Projector - W. C. Hughes, Magic Lantern, circa 1890
Lantern slide projector made by William Charles Hughes, London, circa 1890, and used at Melbourne Observatory. W.C. Hughes was an optician as well as a designer, manufacturer and retai ...
From: Kingsland, United Kingdom Images: 1 -
Negative - Dine's Suction Anemometer, Melbourne Observatory
This Dine's pressure tube anemometer was erected on a 40 foot tower at Melbourne Observatiory in 1906.
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 1 -
Negative - Tape Chronograph & Relays, Melbourne Observatory
Recording equipment in West Transit Room, Melbourne Observatory, including Siemen's and Halse tape chronograph, switch board and relays.
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 1 -
No Image Available
Total Force Needles
Pair of total force needles, 9 cm long, each with three weights, in a wooden box and zinc case. Needles marked '3A and B', '4A and B'. Used at Melbourne Observatory to measure changes i ...
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 0 -
Seismoscope
Seismoscope used at Melbourne Observatory. This is a vibration instrument for indicating earthquake, tremors etc.. It detects an earthquake but does not record it.
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 1 -
Negative - Dines Suction Anemometer, Melbourne Observatory
connected to 50' tower, Old Melbourne ASTRONOMY INSTRUMENTS AND OBSERVATORIES DINES SUCTION ANEMOMETER
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 1
