The Perth Observatory is Western Australia’s oldest observatory which is located 35km east of Perth in Bickley. The Observatory has served WA for over 120 years and remains actively involved in the service of public education through Day Tours for schools and Night Sky Tours for the public. In recognition of its scientific, cultural and historical significance, the Observatory was entered on the state’s Heritage Register in 2005.

As of the 1st of July 2015, the Perth Observatory Volunteer Group has been running the Observatory for the Western Australian Government, so we can continue to provide the Observatory with a bright future and a place to inspire the public and young minds.

Some of the important research that has been completed at the Observatory include:

    Co-discovered Uranus’s ring system
    Publishing numerous Meridian Catalogues during its history
    Was part of the NASA International Planetary Patrol in partnership with the Lowell Observatory
    Our Astrographic telescope produced 10% of all ground-based positions for Comet Halley
    Our Automated Supernova Search has discovered 30 supernovae
    Discovered 29 Minor Planets between 1970 and 1999
    Helped discover the super-earth exoplanet OGLE-2005-BLG-390lb

Perth Observatory

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