Australian Astronomical Observatory

Australian Astronomical Observatory
Alternative namesAAO Edit this at Wikidata
LocationNorth Ryde, Sydney, New South Wales, AUS
Coordinates33°47′46″S 151°08′42″E / 33.79621012°S 151.14511752°E / -33.79621012; 151.14511752
Altitude1,164 m (3,819 ft) Edit this at Wikidata
Websitewww.aao.gov.au Edit this at Wikidata
Telescopes
Australian Astronomical Observatory is located in Australia
Australian Astronomical Observatory
Location of Australian Astronomical Observatory

The Australian Astronomical Observatory (AAO), formerly the Anglo-Australian Observatory, was an optical and near-infrared astronomy observatory with its headquarters in North Ryde in suburban Sydney, Australia. Originally funded jointly by the United Kingdom and Australian governments, it was managed wholly by Australia's Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education.[1][2] The AAO operated the 3.9-metre Anglo-Australian Telescope (AAT) and 1.2-metre UK Schmidt Telescope (UKST) at Siding Spring Observatory, located near the town of Coonabarabran, Australia.

In addition to operating the two telescopes, AAO staff carried out astronomical research, and designed and built astronomical instrumentation for the AAT, UKST, and other telescopes including the European Southern Observatory (ESO)'s Very Large Telescope in Chile, and the Japanese Subaru Telescope on Mauna Kea in Hawaii.

UK involvement in the AAO ceased in June 2010, with the change of name and management arrangements effective from 1 July 2010.[3]

  1. ^ Helen Sim, ed. (14 October 2009), The Anglo-Australian Telescope turns 35 (press release), Australian Astronomical Observatory, archived from the original on 5 January 2013, retrieved 19 January 2013
  2. ^ "Optical astronomy in Australia". 4 January 2018.
  3. ^ "UK pulls funding from joint telescope". ABC News. Abc.net.au. 15 October 2009. Retrieved 15 January 2013.

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