University of Tasmania Astrophysical Observatories

Existing Telescopes

Members of the Astrophysics Group operate telescopes located at three observatories: the Mt. Canopus Observatory, the
Mt. Pleasant Radio Observatory, and the Ceduna Radio Observatory (SA). The Mt. Canopus Observatory must soon close
owing to encroaching light pollution from the Hobart suburbs. However, the future of Tasmanian optical astronomy is bright:
a state-of-the-art 1.3-m telescope is planned to see first light in 2010.

You can become a part of scientific progress in Tasmania by contributing to this project.
Read on, or visit The UTAS Foundation homepage for more information.

Bisdee Tier Observatory

Appeal Background Introductory information Project Details PLANET collaboration Donation Form

Mt Canopus Observatory

Mt. Canopus is located near Hobart and is home to the UTAS optical observatory. The 1-metre, equatorially-mounted telescope was constructed in 1974. It is currently used with a CCD camera at the bent-Cassegrain focus to perform photometric observations of X-ray binary systems and other objects of interest. Mt Canopus is also part of the PLANET project which uses microlensing events to search for a variety of astrophysical phenomena including extra-solar planets! Details of the instrument can be found here.