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 - 50) 197 items
-
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 -
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 -
Photograph - Melbourne Observatory House, South Yarra, Victoria, 1935
View of Melbourne Observatory House, the residence of the Victorian Government Astronomer, 1935. Photograph taken by Rolf Baldwin, son of the third Government Astronomer, Joseph Baldwi ...
Images: 2 -
Photograph - Melbourne Observatory House, South Yarra, Victoria, 1935
View of Melbourne Observatory House, the residence of the Victorian Government Astronomer, 1935. Photograph taken by Rolf Baldwin, son of the third Government Astronomer, Joseph Baldwi ...
Images: 2 -
Photograph - View of Buildings at Melbourne Observatory, South Yarra, Victoria, circa 1937
View of the main building at Melbourne Observatory, taken from the southeast. From the left, the buildings visible are the Astrograph House, rear of main building, 8 inch transit house, ...
Images: 2 -
Photograph - Manna Gum, Grounds of Melbourne Observatory, South Yarra, Victoria, 1933
Photograph of the grounds of Melbourne Observatory, taken by Rolf Baldwin, son of the third Government Astronomer, Joseph Baldwin, 1933.
Images: 2 -
Photograph - Great Melbourne Telescope, Melbourne Observatory, South Yarra, circa 1875
Photograph of the Great Melbourne Telescope House at Melbourne Observatory, by Charles Nettleton, circa 1875. The photograph has been taken from the roof of the main Melbourne Observa ...
Images: 2 -
Digital Image - View of Melbourne Observatory, circa 1900
Image of Melbourne Observatiory, reproduced on a postcard, circa 1900. It depicts the main building, with the Astrograph House on the right.
Images: 1 -
Photograph - Orion Nebula, Taken with the Great Melbourne Telescope, Victoria, 26 Feb 1883
Photograph of Orion Nebula, taken by Joseph Turner with the Great Melbourne Telescope on 26 Feb 1883, with an exposure of 4 minutes.
Images: 2 -
Photograph - K Crucis, Taken With The Great Melbourne Telescope, Victoria, 3 Mar 1883
Photograph of the Kappa Crucis Cluster, named the 'Jewel Box', in the constellation of Crux. Photograph taken by Joseph Turner with the Great Melbourne Telescope on March 3 1883, with a ...
Images: 2 -
Photograph - 'Absolute House', Melbourne Observatory, South Yarra, Victoria, circa 1935
Photograph of the Absolute House at Melbourne Observatory, circa 1935. Built in 1861 the Absolute House measured geomagnetic elements along with the Differential House. Photograph take ...
Images: 2 -
Digital Image - Melbourne Observatory Staff, circa 1895
Group portrait of staff at Melbourne Observatory, in front of the East Transit Room, circa 1895. Government Astronomer Robert Ellery retired in 1895, and was replaced by Pietro Baracch ...
Images: 1 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
No Image Available
Negative - Main Building, Melbourne Observatory, post 1892
View of Main Building of Melbourne Observatory. The presence of the Computing Room to the left of the dome dates the photograph to 1892 or later.
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 0 -
Negative - Main Building, Melbourne Observatory, 1969
Main observatory building, Melbourne Observatory
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 1 -
Negative - Stevenson Thermometer Screen, Melbourne Observatory, circa 1879
Stevenson thermometer screen erected at Melbourne Observatory. Chain standard, erected in 1876, and tower of Government House visible in background. This photograph was possibly taken i ...
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 1 -
Negative - Timeball Tower, Williamstown
The timeball tower at Williamstown. A telegraph signal from Melbourne Observatory at precisely 1pm each day lowered the brass ball. This allowed ships in Hobson's Bay to correct their c ...
From: Williamstown, Australia Images: 1 -
Negative - Main Building, Melbourne Observatory, 1969
Main Building, Melbourne Observatory
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 1 -
Negative - Sunshine Recorder erected at Melbourne Observatory
Sunshine recorder on roof of Main Building, Melbourne Observatory.
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 Jeffree Telescope was built in the 1930s at the Bendigo Railway Workshops, and purchased by the ...
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 1 -
Negative - View of Melbourne Observatory, 1929
View of Melbourne Observatory, taken from the 50 foot anemometer tower, looking south and southwest. Anemometer erected 1906.
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 1 -
Negative - Main Building, Melbourne Observatory, post 1883
View of northern elevation of main building at Melbourne Observatory (post 1883, when East Transit Room was erected), and prior to erection of Computing Room in 1892.
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 1 -
Negative - South Equatorial House & Photoheliograph House, Melbourne Observatory, 1969
View of South Equatorial House and Photoheliograph House, Melbourne Observatory.
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 1 -
No Image Available
Glass Negative - Main Building, Melbourne Observatory
View of Main Building, Melbourne Observatory, and gardens leading to entrance. Photo taken post 1902, after the erection of the Astrophotographic Room, visible on the right.
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 0 -
Negative - Erection of Great Melbourne Telescope, 1869
Erection of the Great Melbourne Telescope at Melbourne Observatory, 1869.
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 2 -
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 Jeffree Telescope was built in the 1930s at the Bendigo Railway Workshops, and purchased by the ...
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 1 -
Negative - Transit Telescope, 8 Inch, Melbourne Observatory
Eight inch transit telescope erected in East Transit Room at Melbourne Observatory. The telescope, made by Troughton & Simms, London, was installed in 1884.
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 1 -
Negative - South Equatorial House & Photoheliograph House, Melbourne Observatory, 1981
South Equatorial House and Photoheliograph House, Melbourne Observatory. With Shrine of Remembrance in background.
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 1 -
Negative - Great Melbourne Telescope, Diagram
Diagram of the Great Melbourne Telescope, erected at the Melbourne Observatory, 1868
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 1 -
Negative - Sunshine Recorder, Melbourne Observatory
Sunshine recorder on roof of Main Building, Melbourne Observatory. Also visible are the dome of the Astrograph House (erected 1889), and an anemometer.
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 1 -
Negative - Tide Gauge House, Williamstown, 1928
Breakwater and Railway piers, Williamstown. Tide Gauge house visible.
From: Williamstown, Australia Images: 1 -
Negative - Equatorial Telescope, 8 Inch, Melbourne Observatory, circa 1960
Eight inch equatorial telescope at Melbourne Observatory. Telescope made by Troughton & Simms, London, and installed at the observatory in 1874. Photograph taken circa 1960, when the te ...
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 1 -
Negative - Main Building, Melbourne Observatory, 1969
View of main observatory building, Melbourne Observatory, with Government House tower in background.
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 1 -
Negative - South Equatorial House & Photoheliograph House, Melbourne Observatory,1969
View of South Equatorial House and Photoheliograph House, Melbourne Observatory
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 1 -
Negative - Main Building, Melbourne Observatory, post 1883
View of northern elevation of main building at Melbourne Observatory (post 1883, when East Transit Room was erected), and prior to erection of Computing Room in 1892.
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 1 -
No Image Available
Photograph - Erection of Great Melbourne Telescope, Framed, 1869
Framed photograph of the erection of the Great Melbourne Telescope at Melbourne Observatory, in early 1869.
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 0 -
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 -
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, 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
