ASA List of Observatories

Criteria for listing as a Designated Observatory

If you feel that your observatory represents a valuable astronomical resource, you may nominate it for consideration by the ASA using the Application Form. It is essential to make the strongest possible case by fully answering every question on the Application Form.

Essential criteria if a facility is to be considered are:

a permanent 'observatory' structure housing the telescope(s)
A clear strength in one or more of the three areas:
- research - astronomical data is regularly submitted to (and accepted by) an internationally recognised astronomical organisation or journal
- education - a well-defined and continuing educational program (not just occasional school visits)
- community use - a well-defined and continuing program program of access to the local community and/or tourists (preferably advertised; not just occasional visitors)
A supporting statement from a 'seconder' for the Application:
- For small private observatories, an officer from a recognised astronomical society testifying to the usefulness of the research program being undertaken and/or the community benefits of any educational activities
- For school and college observatories, a senior officer of the administration of the school or college

The current list of Designated Optical Observatories is included below.

Clearly many valuable observatories are not currently listed, especially among the amateur community.

The credibility of this public list demands a strict standard. Many amateur observing facilities will not be able to meet these criteria. This is not to doubt the value of their contribution to astronomy, but more likely recognises the limitations of their observing site and/or facilities. The final arbiter of whether any particular observatory is so designated will be the ASA.

Status as a designated observatory is reviewed every 2 years. Renewal of designated status requires the submission of a short Report outlining the activities of the Observatory.

Contacts and Links

Further information on the ASA's list of designated Optical Observatories can be obtained from:

Dr M. Bessell
ASA Observatory List Coordinator
Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics
ANU Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics Mount Stromlo Observatory via Cotter Rd Weston Creek ACT Australia 2611

The ASA's representative on the relevant Standards Australia committee and an expert on the subject of obtrusive lighting is:

Reg.R.Wilson FIES
Lighting Analysis & Design
Independent Lighting Consultants
32 Carina Road,Turramurra, N.S.W. 2074
Phone & Fax - 61-2-9488 7078
Home Page - http://users.tpg.com.au/regrw

Further information on combating light pollution may be found on the homepage of the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA).

Also of interest:

An email list is maintained by the Outdoor Lighting Reform Action Group (based in Canberra) on the topic of Light Pollution and Quality Lighting. Subscribe by sending an email to lights-request@anu.edu.au with
```
	subscribe 
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in the body of the text.
Sydney Outdoor Lighting Improvement Society (SOLIS)
An extensive list of links related to light pollution can be found at Light Pollution Awareness Website.

Some Background on Australian Standards for Exterior Lighting

Standards Australia is the organisation which formulates, publishes and distributes documents covering a vast range subjects of which lighting and more specifically exterior lighting is one which is of interest to astronomers. An increasing number of Standards are becoming joint Australian and New Zealand documents.

It should be noted that Standards Australia is but one of the sources of documents used by planning bodies including local government (councils etc), State and Federal governments. Councils develop their own Development Control Plans (or similarly titled documents) which can be simple plans through to major and influential pieces of local legislation. State Planning department often co-ordinate local government activities as well as producing over-riding plans. A good example of the latter is the Orana Regional Environmental Plan #1 which is designed to protect the night skies around the Siding Spring Observatory. Federal Government plans include those issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Standards Australia have a number of committees dealing with lighting and associated matters. The ASA is now represented on two committees - LG2 (Road Lighting) and LG10 (Obtrusive Lighting). We have requested membership of the Sports Lighting Committee but without success at present.

The main Road Lighting Standards which have an effect on skyglow are

AS/NZS1158.1.1 - 1997 Road Lighting (Vehicular)
AS/NZS1158.3.1-1999 Road Lighting (Pedestrian Area)
AS1158.4 - 1984 Supplementary Lighting at Pedestrian Crossings (of lesser relevance).

The Australian Standard AS4282 on "The Control of the Obtrusive Effects of Outdoor Lighting" was issued in October 1997 and provides guidelines for planning authorities to ameliorate the effects of light pollution in the vicinity of observatories. These guidelines are not mandatory, but may be drawn to the attention of a given planning authority by any concerned party. Acceptance as a designated observatory does not imply any form of legal status. Nevertheless, it should assist the observatory in presenting a stronger case for protection against obtrusive lighting.

The Sports Lighting suite of Standards is quite large as it covers a general document (most important) - AS2560 Sports Lighting - General Principles, with separate Standards covering the different sports but all are referred back to the main document for the important general requirements.

It should be noted that all Standards are not mandatory but any disregard for the requirements causing incidents which could lead to litigation obviously places the person or organisation responsible for the installation in a difficult situation. In the case of Road Lighting where State Government subsidies are provided for Councils etc. such installations must comply with all of the relevant Standards in order to receive subsidies.

Current List of Designated Observatories

Major Facilities

DO1-1 Mount Stromlo Observatory, Canberra
DO1-2 Paul Wild Observatory, Narrabri
DO1-3 Siding Spring Observatory, Coonabarabran

University/Publicly funded Facilities

DO2-1 Canopus Hill Observatory (U. Tasmania site)
DO2-3 La Trobe University Space Physics Field Station (Beveridge, Vic.)
DO2-4 Mount Burnett (Monash U. site)
DO2-5 Mount Kent Observatory (Joint USQ/UQ site near Toowoomba)
DO2-6 Nepean Astronomy Centre (UWS)
DO2-7 Perth Observatory (Bickley, WA)
DO2-8 Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium (Toowong, Qld)
DO2-9 Sydney Observatory (Observatory Hill, Sydney)
DO2-10 Cangaroo International Astrophysical Observatory (Woomera, SA)
DO2-11 UWA Southern Cross Cosmos Centre, Gravity Discovery Centre & AIGO (Gingin, WA)

Significant Amateur Society/Private Observatories

DO3-1 Briars Astronomical Education Centre (Astronomical Society of Frankston, Vic.)
DO3-2 Green Point Observatory (Sutherland Astronomical Society, Sydney)
DO3-3 Koolang Observatory (Bucketty, near Newcastle NSW)
DO3-4 Linden Observatory (Blue Mountains near Sydney)
DO3-5 Mt Tarana Observatory - Mr Colin Bembrick (Napoleon Reef, Walang near Bathurst NSW)
DO3-7 Taylor Range Observatory - Mr Peter Anderson (The Gap, Qld)
DO3-8 Mr Peter Williams, Private Observatory (Heathcote, Sydney)
DO3-12 Mr Justin Tilbrook, Private Observatory (Penwortham, SA)
DO3-13 Stockport Observatory (Astronomical Society of South Australia, near Adelaide)
DO3-14 Grove Creek Observatory - Steven Williams (near Bathurst NSW)
DO3-15 Darby's Falls Observatory - Mr Markham Monk (Darby's Falls, NSW)
DO3-16 Barrier Reef Observatory (Hamilton Island, QLD) (star@whitsunday.net.au)
DO3-17 Lakewood Observatory - Dr Peter Skilton (Frankston Vic)
DO3-20 Burwood Club Observatory (Astronomical Society of Victoria)
DO3-21 Heathcote Observatory (Astronomical Society of Victoria)
DO3-22 Old Melbourne Observatory (Astronomical Society of Victoria)
DO3-23 Canberra Planetarium and Observatory (Dickson ACT)
DO3-24 Douglas Scrub Observatory (Astronomical Society of South Australia, near Adelaide)
DO3-25 Cambroon Observatory - Mr R. Knight (Kenilworth, QLD)
DO3-26 Ballaarat Municipal Observatory (Ballarat, Vic)
DO3-27 Settler's Flat Lodge (Mongarlowe NSW)
DO3-28 Boambee Observatory - Mr Win Howard (Boambee NSW)
DO3-31 Bathurst Observatory (Bathurst NSW)
DO3-32 Hazelwood Observatory (Hazelwood South VIC)
DO3-34 The Heights School Observatory (Adelaide SA)
DO3-35 Tetoora Observatory - Mr Rod Stubbings (Tetoora VIC)
DO3-36 Muhlenberg College Observatory - Mr John Shobbrook (Coonbarabran NSW)
DO3-37 Macedon Ranges Observatory (Woodend VIC)
DO3-38 ARA Observatory - Mr Brian Crook (Weston ACT)
DO3-39 Twinstar Guesthouse Observatory - Mr Eiji Kato (Ballandean QLD)
DO3-40 Kirby Observatory - (UNE and Northern Tablelands Astronomical Society, Armidale NSW)
DO3-41 Crago Observatory - (Astronomical Society of NSW, Bowen Mountain NSW)

There are clearly more significant Amateur Society/Private Observatories that should be on this list. Please apply!

The Public Observatories page of the ASA's Australian Astronomy web site has links to other Australian professional and amateur observatories.


		For information on all aspects of Astronomy in Australia visit the ASA's Australian Astronomy web site, featuring extensive links to astronomical research and teaching, public education facilities, amateur astronomy and other astronomical activities in Australia.