Some reflections on astronomy in Sydney during the 1960s, Mon 3 August, 6:30pm, online.

Presented by Professor Wayne Orchiston, University of Science and Technology of China (Hefei), and Centre for Astrophysics, University of Southern Queensland (Toowoomba)

Abstract: After moving from New Zealand to Sydney as a teenager in December 1958, I soon became actively involved in amateur astronomy in Sydney through the NSW Branch of the British Astronomical Association, and the North Shore Astronomical Society (a society for teenagers that I founded in 1959). After leaving secondary school I worked in radio astronomy while studying part-time for a BA Honours degree at the University of Sydney.

In this talk I will discuss the BAA NSW Branch of the 1960s, the role the North Shore Astronomical Society played in promoting teenage astronomy, Gordon Patston and the Sydney Amateur Astronomers, the development of radio astronomy at the CSIRO with the close-down of the field stations and promotion of the Parkes Radio Telescope, Sydney Observatory as a professional observatory, and the emergence of optical and radio astronomy at the University of Sydney. It was an exciting time to be involved in astronomy in Sydney!

Bio:  Professor Wayne Orchiston is a former amateur astronomer, who was actively involved in the Canterbury Astronomical Society (NZ), NSW Branch of the British Astronomical Association (Sydney) and the Astronomical Society of Victoria (Melbourne). He has also worked in professional astronomy through universities, observatories and research institutes in Australia, China, New Zealand and Thailand.

 Wayne's main research areas are history of astronomy and meteoritics, and he has published numerous books and research papers. He is a former President of IAU Commission 41 (History of Astronomy), and in 2024 he was awarded the world’s top award for History of Astronomy from the American Astronomical Society. Later this year he will receive an Honorary DSc from the University of Southern Queensland for his life-long contribution to astronomy. In 2013 minor planet 48471 was named 'Orchiston'.

Currently, Wayne lives near Chiang Mai, Thailand, with his Thai wife Darunee Lingling, and together they research Indian, Thai, SE Asian and NZ astronomy. Wayne, meanwhile, continues to research and promote amateur astronomy in Australia, New Zealand and India.

Details: This presentation will be on-line by Zoom. Members will be emailed the Zoom link. If you are not a member and want to attend this talk please email our secretary on: cityskywatchers@gmail.com

Please log-in by 6:25pm. Notices and a short presentation by members are delivered before or after the keynote depending on circumstances.