The Anglo Australian Telescope
Commissioned way back in 1974, the Anglo-Australian Telescope was one of the last 4 metre equatorially mounted telescopes to be constructed. Such telescopes are tilted to align with the rotation of the Earth; so to follow or track a star through the sky they only have to move in one direction. Most modern large telescopes have to move in two directions to follow a star - a more complicated technique but possible these days with the advent of modern computers.
Its excellent optics, exceptional mechanical stability and precision computer control make it one of the finest telescopes in the world.
 Anglo Australian Telescope |
Some facts about the telescope:
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The Observatory was established at Siding Spring (New South Wales) to take
advantage of the extremely dark skies. Siding Spring is located around
500 km to the north-west of Sydney, Australia.
The telescope provides the opportunity for astronomers to observe the southern sky where some of the most exciting objects are found, including the centre of our own Milky Way Galaxy and our galactic neighbours, the Magellanic Clouds. |
 AAT Dome |
 Horsehead Nebula |
Because of the wide field of view, the AAT has been responsible for taking
some of the most stunning pictures of the heavens, pictures which have
appeared in countless books and posters throughout the world.
This spectacular image shows a wide view of the Horsehead Nebula; a massive region (or cloud) of dust and gas which is currently providing material for the birth of lots of new stars. These 'baby' stars start off very hot and are lighting up the cloud just below the brightest star in the centre of the picture. |
