Sydney Observatory is located on a hill now known as 'Observatory Hill' in an area in the centre of Sydney now known as The Rocks. The site evolved from a fort built on 'Windmill Hill' in the early 19th century to an astronomical observatory during the nineteenth century. It is now a working museum where evening visitors can observe the stars and planets through a modern 40 cm schmidt-cassegrain telescope and a historic 29cm refractor telescope b...
more
Sydney Observatory is located on a hill now known as 'Observatory Hill' in an area in the centre of Sydney now known as The Rocks. The site evolved from a fort built on 'Windmill Hill' in the early 19th century to an astronomical observatory during the nineteenth century. It is now a working museum where evening visitors can observe the stars and planets through a modern 40 cm schmidt-cassegrain telescope and a historic 29cm refractor telescope built in 1874, the oldest telescope in Australia in regular use.
In 1796, early on during the European settlement of New South Wales, Australia, a windmill was built on the hill above the first settlement. Within ten years the windmill had deteriorated to the point of being useless; the canvas sails were stolen, a storm damaged the machinery, and already by 1800 the foundations were giving way. The name of Millers Point remembers this early land use.
In 1803, Fort Philip was built on the site under the direction of Governor Hunter to defend the...
less
