Details

Subject(s)

• Tebbutt, John 1834-1917 [Browse]

Series

• Historical & cultural astronomy [More in this series]
• Historical & cultural astronomy. 2509-310X [More in this series]

Summary note

This book marks the centennial of Tebbutt's death with a major biographical account surveying his scientific contributions to astronomy, prefaced with a foreword by Sir Patrick Moore. During the second half of the nineteenth century, Tebbutt was Australia's foremost astronomer. He devoted his time and funds to astronomy, and built a truly international reputation that far surpassed Australia's leading professional astronomers of the day. Tebbutt's remarkable record of achievement extends over more than half a century. Orchiston's book covers the whole of Tebbutt's career, from his yearly observatory reports and comet discoveries to his time as the first president of Sydney's branch of the British Astronomical Association. -- from back cover.

Notes

Biography.

Bibliographic references

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Contents

• Part I: Overview
• 1. John Tebbutt: Australian astronomer extraordinaire
• Introduction
• Tebbutt: The man
• The formative years
• The Great Comet of 1861
• The first observatory
• An emerging reputation
• Still more telescopes and observatories
• A succession of societies
• A commitment to observational astronomy
• Astronomy and beyond
• Academic publications aplenty
• Promoting popular interest in astronomy
• A magnificent research and reference library
• Status and recognition
• Just rewards
• An enduring legacy
• Concluding remarks
• 2. An invaluable resource: The 'Tebbutt collection' in the Mitchell library, Sydney
• Introduction: The C41/ICHA archives working group
• The Tebbutt collection
• The missing records
• Part II: Background context
• 3. The development of professional astronomy in the Nineteenth century Australia
• Sir Thomas Brisbane: Pioneering days at Parramatta observatory
• From imperial to independent astronomy: The development of the colonial observatories
• 4. The role of the independent astronomer in Early Australian astronomy
• A calvalcade of comets adn transits: The growth of popular interest in astronomy
• Independent astronomers to the fore: The rise of the private observatories
• An evolving science: Impact of the leading non-professional astronomers on Australian astronomy
• Professionals and non-professionals: Colleagues or competitors?
• Part III. Case studies
• 5. Introduction
• 6. The Great Comet of 1861: A magnificent career catalyst
• A 'nebula' is noted: Discovery of the Great Comet of 1861
• Ridicule and rancour: The price of publicising
• A celestial spectacle: The comet in Northern skies
• Recovery of the comet: Its reappearance in Australian skies
• Rightful recognition: Compensating for the passage of time and tyranny of distance
• 7. An urge for independence: The Sydney observatory directorship
• Trials and tribulations: The first Sydney observatory directorship
• John Tebbutt of neighboring Windsor: The ideal new director?
• 8. From humble beginnings: The development of Windsor observatory
• A serious commitment to observational astronomy: Purchase of the Jones Refractor
• 'Wholly the work of my own hands': The first Windsor observatory building
• A new home for a new telescope: The second wooden observatory
• A proper astronomical centre: The substantial brick building of 1879
• Accommodating the eight inch: The demand for a new brick observatory
• 9. A timely spectacle: The Great Comet of 1881
• A successful scan of the Southern Sky: Discovery of a new comet
• An evolving object: Subsequent observations of the comet
• An enduring legacy: The Great Comet's contribution to astronomy
• 10. An abortive association: The Australian comet corps
• An association of observers: The proposed 'Australian Comet Corps'
• In search of comets: Putting the concept to the test
• A combination of factors: The demise of the Australian comet corps
• 11. A gain in light grasp: The legacy of the Grubb telescope
• The tyranny of distance: Tebbutt's purchase of the telescope
• Exploiting the increased light grasp and a drive: An ongoing commitment to observational astronomy
• 12. Power, politics and prestige: The Russell-Tebbutt feud
• From friend to foe: Narrative of a deteriorating relationship
• A fully frontal attack: The Sydney Morning Herald and the pamphlet
• Paying a heavy price: The consequences of confrontation
• 13. Astronomers in isolation: A new branch of the British Astronomical Association
• Astronomical agitation in Sydney: The mooted Australian astronomical society
• Organising astronomy in Sydney: Formation of the BAA branch
• Progress or perish: The critical first 5 years
• Leading by example: The vital role played by Tebbutt
• 14. The end of an era: A welcome and well-earned retirement
• An inevitable decision: The end of an illustrious 'career'
• A 'Clayton's retirement': Post-1903 astronomical activities
• Honours at home and abroad: Rightful recognition at long last
• 15. The sequel: From scientific observatory to Museum of Astronomy
• A tale of loose ends: Dispersal of the Windor observatory scientific instruments
• Refurbished as a Museum of Astronomy: A new role for an historic observatory.

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ISBN

• 9783319445205 ((hd. bd.))
• 3319445200

LCCN

2016953048

OCLC

970656046

International Article Number

• 9783319445205

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