Astronomical Society of South Australia first in Australia from 1892; lively small group loses the observatory in 1952

Astronomical Society of South Australia member and inventor A. W. Dobbie with the last of the three Newtonian reflector telescopes he built in the garden of his home in Baliol Street, College Park.
Image courtesy State Library of South Australia

The Astronomical Society of South Australia – Australia’s oldest and one of the first in the world – started in 1892. It was prompted by C.C. Farr, newly arrived from England, where he was a member of the British Astronomical Society. He encouraged local amateur astronomers to attend the founding meeting at the Adelaide Observatory, chaired by Royal Society of South Australia member and government astronomer Charles Todd.

In 1892, an astronomical section of the Royal Society of South Australia was formed. With telescope technology not easily available, Adelaide’s prolific inventor A. W. Dobbie was among members who built their own. Dobbie made a 12.5-inch speculum metal mirrored telescope, needing 11 years to complete the mirror. Later he built an 18-inch silver-on-glass reflector.

With Todd as president until he died in 1910, the society’s other earliest members included D.B. Adamson, B.H, Babbage and T.D, Smeaton with captains Inglis and Weir plus R.W.O Kestrel (of the Port Adelaide Mathematical Society Port Adelaide Scientific Society from 1899) and W.E. Cooke, W. Strawbridge, C. Hope-Harris from astronomy and related professions.

In 1901, the astronomical section asked the Royal Society for a grant of £14-10-0. When the society asked why – saying it would “in no way countenance” it being used for a picnic – a dispute escalated into a split from the Royal Society. The astronomical society affiliated instead with the Public Library – where it shared the Royal Society’s rooms at the institute building.

The astronomical society hosted a string of topical speakers and had its own internal heated debates – even over one member's challenge to one of Isaac Newton’s laws. The society was also fortunate to have Adelaide University professors Robert Chapman (president) and Kerr Grant (vice-president) as members. James Cyril Stobie, with his address listed as “c/- Adelaide Electric Supply Company Limited” was another member.

Membership continued to be small, nominally 40 to 60, but really much less with membership terminated after two years nonpayment of fees. It fell heavily during the two world wars.

In 1952, the group's spiritual home, the Adelaide Observatory on West Terrace, was demolished to make way for the Adelaide Boys High School.