Sydney Observatory facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sydney Observatory |
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The observatory photographed in 1874
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| Location | Upper Fort Street, Millers Point, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1857–1859 |
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| Architectural style(s) | Florentine Renaissance |
| Official name: Sydney Observatory; The Sydney Observatory; Observatory; Fort Phillip; Windmill Hill; Flagstaff Hill | |
| Type | State heritage (complex / group) |
| Designated | 22 December 2000 |
| Reference no. | 1449 |
| Type | Observatory |
| Category | Scientific Facilities |
| Builders | Charles Bingemann & Ebenezer Dewar |
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The Sydney Observatory is a special historical place in Sydney, Australia. It sits on Observatory Hill in Millers Point. This site has been many things over time. It was once a fort, a place to send signals, and a weather station. Today, it is a fun science museum and an astronomical observatory.
The observatory was built between 1857 and 1859. It was designed by William Weaver and Alexander Dawson. People also know it as The Sydney Observatory or Fort Phillip. It is now a working museum. Visitors can look at stars and planets through modern and old telescopes. One telescope was built in 1874. It is the oldest telescope in Australia still used regularly!
Contents
Early History of Observatory Hill
The hill where the observatory stands has a long history. In 1797, a windmill was built there. This was very early in the European settlement of New South Wales. The windmill helped grind grain. But it broke down quickly. Its sails were stolen, and storms damaged it. The name Millers Point reminds us of this early windmill.
Fort Philip: Protecting the Settlement
In 1803, a fort called Fort Philip was built on the hill. Governor Hunter ordered it to be built. It was meant to protect the new settlement. They worried about attacks from the French or from rebellious convicts. Luckily, the fort was never needed for fighting.
In 1825, part of the fort became a signal station. Flags were used to send messages. They sent signals to ships in the harbour. They also sent messages to another signal station at South Head. This helped people communicate across the harbour.
The Sydney Observatory is Built
An early observatory was set up in 1788. It was at Dawes Point, near Observatory Hill. People hoped to see a comet that Edmond Halley had predicted. But they did not succeed. Another observatory was built in Parramatta in 1821.
A New Signal Station and Observatory
In 1848, a new signal station was built on Windmill Hill. Seven years later, Governor Sir William Denison decided to build a full observatory next to it. The first official astronomer, William Scott, started work in 1856. The new observatory was finished in 1858.
The Important Time-Ball
One of the observatory's most important jobs was to tell the correct time. Every day at 1:00 pm, a large ball would drop from a tower. This "time-ball" showed the exact time to the city and ships. At the same time, a cannon fired from Fort Denison. The first time-ball drop was on June 5, 1858. It still drops daily at 1:00 pm, using the original parts but with an electric motor.
The Observatory Building and Its Work
The observatory building is made of Sydney sandstone. It has an old-fashioned style. There are two domes for telescopes. It also has a tall tower for the time-ball. The original building from 1858 had a dome for a telescope. It also had an office for calculations and a home for the astronomer.
In 1877, a new part was added. This part had more office space and another dome for a telescope. The observatory helped create the first atlas of the whole sky. This huge project took over 70 years, from 1899 to 1971.
After Australia became a federation in 1901, weather forecasting moved to the national government. But the observatory kept doing astronomy. It continued to track stars and provide time. It also gave daily information to newspapers. This included when the sun, moon, and planets would rise and set.
By the 1970s, it became harder to see stars from the city. Too much city light and air pollution got in the way. So, in 1982, the government decided to turn the Sydney Observatory into a museum. It is now part of the Powerhouse Museum.
The Vintage Merz Telescope
The Sydney Observatory has a special old telescope. It is a 7.25-inch refracting telescope. It was made by a German company, Georg Merz and Sons, around 1860. This telescope arrived at the observatory in 1861. It is a great example of old astronomical tools.
Images for kids
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A special telescope used to photograph the sun
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A telescope at Sydney Observatory
See also
In Spanish: Observatorio de Sídney para niños
