This Observatory, situated at Mount Pleasant in Ballarat, was established on the initiative and with the financial support of James Oddie, and was formally opened to the public in 1886. When Oddie presented the Observatory to the people of Ballarat, it became the first municipal observatory in Australia.
Events at the Observatory
Musicians, performers wanted apply here.
Transit of Venus. - 5th/6th June
General Meeting - 7.00pm 8th June
Starry Winter Nights - 30th June 2012
Visit the Free Range Science website for information about coming events near you.
A Fact Sheet for the first total solar eclipse on the Australian mainland since 2002 has been produced by Astronomical Society of Australia. It will occur on 14 November 2012. (pdf reader required.)
Telescopes for sale
Dobsonian style telescopes in two sizes are available; Bintel models BT202-B 8" and BT252-B 10". For a description and specifications go to SALES. A workshop for assembly and operation of the telescopes is available.
Other items include books, calenders, planispheres and Astronomy Year Books.
The Observatory is located on the corner of Magpie and Cobden Street, Mount Pleasant, Ballarat. The Observatory is generally open every Friday and Saturday except public holidays. Bookings required. Group bookings can be taken for other times. During the school holidays, bookings for any night can be arranged.
For the local weather information courtesy of "Weatherzone" click here.
The banner at the top of this page is from a sketch by John Brittain when he was Superintendent of the Observatory, and shows its appearance in about 1922.