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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.
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Wye Level - Troughton & Simms
Wye level, by Troughton & Simms, London. Telescope has a rack-focussing objective of 1.5 inch aperture. Used at Melbourne Observatory.
From: London, United Kingdom Images: 1 -
No Image Available
Stand & Horizontal Circle - Theodolite, Troughton & Simms, 10 Inch
Stand and horizontal circle for 10 inch theodolite, made by Troughton & Simms, London. Used at Melbourne Observatory.
From: London, United Kingdom Images: 0 -
Spectroscope - E Ducretet & Co, Paris
Spectroscope by E. Ducretet & Co, Paris. Used at Melbourne Observatory.
From: Paris, France Images: 1 -
Circular Slide Rule - Kilpatrick, London, circa 1870
Circular slide rule, brass with steel movable scale, in maroon leather case, made by Kilpatrick & Co., London, circa 1870, and used at Melbourne Observatory.
From: London, United Kingdom Images: 1 -
Negative - Jeffree Telescope, Melbourne Observatory, circa 1960
The Jeffree telescope in the Astrograph House at Melbourne Observatory, circa 1960. The Jeffree Telescope was built in the 1930s at the Bendigo Railway Workshops, and purchased by the ...
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 1 -
Negative - Jeffree Telescope, Melbourne Observatory, circa 1960
The Jeffree telescope in the Astrograph House at Melbourne Observatory, circa 1960. The telescope is being operated by Ron Cavill, McKay Planetarium lecturer and Astronomical Society of ...
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 1 -
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Photograph - Eta Argus Nebula, taken with Great Melbourne Telescope, 1883
Experimental photograph of Eta Argus Nebula taken by Joseph Turner with the Great Melbourne Telescope, 7 January 1883. In 1882 astronomers in Britain and America began to successfully ...
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 0 -
No Image Available
Photograph - Eta Argus Nebula, taken with Great Melbourne Telescope, 1883
Experimental photograph of Eta Argus Nebula taken by Joseph Turner with the Great Melbourne Telescope, probably early 1883. In 1882 astronomers in Britain and America began to successf ...
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 0 -
No Image Available
Photograph - Orion Nebula, taken with Great Melbourne Telescope, 1883
Photograph of the Orion Nebula, taken by Joseph Turner with Great Melbourne Telescope, 26 February 1883. In 1882 astronomers in Britain and America began to successfully use the more s ...
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 0 -
No Image Available
Photograph - Oddie Telescope Erected at Melbourne Observatory, circa 1911
Refractor telescope by Grubb, Dublin, 9 inch, erected in the grounds of Melbourne Observatory, 1910 or 1911. The telescope was donated in 1910 by James Oddie of Ballarat, to the Commonw ...
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 0
