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Commonwealth Solar Observatory

1924 – 1945

Renamed Commonwealth Observatory in 1945.

Commonwealth research observatory on Mount Stromlo, near Canberra, established to study the sun and solar–terrestrial relations, including atmospheric electricity, ozone and the ionosphere.

Names over time

  1. Commonwealth Solar Observatory1924–1945
  2. Commonwealth Observatory1945–1957

How it came into existence

Established in 1924 on Mount Stromlo in the Federal Capital Territory, with W. G. Duffield, who had long campaigned for a Commonwealth solar observatory, as its first director. It had no Commonwealth predecessor.

How it ended

Renamed the Commonwealth Observatory in 1945, as its research turned from solar physics towards stellar astronomy.

Main functions

  • Solar physics research
  • Atmospheric, ozone and ionospheric observations
  • Astronomical observation
  • Optical munitions production during the Second World War

Where it sits

Last in the portfolio of Department of the Interior.

Lineage

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Sources

Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.