Sydney Observatory, about 1860, photographer unknown
Harley Wood, Government
Astronomer, 1943-74,
photographing the spectrum
of a comet.
Henry Chamberlain Russell
with the 29cm telescope in
the south dome
This exhibition blends the long tradition of Australian astronomy with the latest developments in this exciting field.
Displays include original instruments from the past and present, specially-built hands-on exhibits to intrigue children and adults alike, and unique audiovisuals.
Watchers of a different sky
Discover some of the wonderful and unique sights in the southern sky. Share the fascination of the astronomers who have worked at Sydney Observatory and marvel at some of the instruments they used. Take a guided trip through time as Henry Chamberlain Russell, Government Astronomer from 1870-1905 talks about his life at the Observatory.
Knowing the time and finding the way
Matthew Flinders captained the first voyage around Australia and prepared a detailed chart of the coastline. See two of the clocks he relied on for accurate navigation.
While in this room, enjoy one of the best views in Sydney with virtual reality technology and compare the view you can see today from the top of Sydney Observatory's time ball tower, with the same view from the 1800s.
To and from the hill: viewing historical change
Observatory Hill is the highest natural point in Sydney Harbour. Originally part of the Eora people's land (like the rest of Sydney), after colonisation it became the site of a windmill, then a fort, then a signal station, and finally an observatory. View the changes on and around the hill through objects, graphics and a computer interactive that explores Sydney through the use of colonial pictures.
Observe and measure
After Europeans colonised New South Wales, they set about observing and measuring their new environment in an attempt to use and shape it. They measured the landscape, observed the weather, plotted 'new' stars, and established time zones. After 1858, Sydney Observatory played an important part in this. Find out about the time keeping, surveying, meteorological and astronomical photographic work carried out here through a display of the Observatory's own 19th and 20th century instruments.
Photo by David Malin
© Anglo-Australian Observatory
Transit circle: the biggest clock in the world
This historic telescope only moves from north to south yet with it astronomers can determine the exact time. Find out how they do it and learn about how to set a clock with a telescope.
Henry Chamberlain Russell with Sydney Obervatory's
transit circle
Fort Phillip and harbour from John
Eyre's 1810 view of Sydney Cove
The stars of the southern sky
In European tradition the stars in the sky are grouped into 88 constellations. See an original copy of the earliest catalogue of southern stars and attempt to match up either a European or Koori constellation picture with the correct star grouping.
The solar system: the sun and its family
Take charge of the solar system and make the moon circle the Earth and the planets circle the sun. Use an interactive to watch the Earth spin on its axis and orbit around the sun as the moon orbits around the Earth to create night and day, the seasons and the phases of the moon.
