In this report I have attempted to separate the work carried out at the observatory from the

other astronomical activities that I had been involved with over the period concerned. These

include my terms as President of the AAQ (1987 - 1989, 1997 - 1999), my longtime directorship of the Lunar and Occultation Section, and since 1995 my membership of the Research Committee of the Edward Corbould Research Fund.

It was on new year's eve 1980 that Dr. Bryan Bridge and myself struggled into the newly completed observatory with the mount piece by piece and finally with the telescope tubes. Having assembled these by around 11.00pm, we decided that we were far too tired to install the optics that night and so ‘first light’ was delayed until the next night, 1 January 1980. The next few months were spent making refinements, including the re-aluminising and overcoating of the 16 inch mirror which had originally not been overcoated and had therefore tarnished. It was not until May 1980 that the observatory was fully operational.

The history of the observatory goes back well before that. One of the prime reasons in purchasing the land on the 175 metre high ridge at the back of Mount Coot-tha in 1973 was to erect an observatory but it some years after the building of the house in 1974 before we had recovered sufficiently financially to consider this project. Plans were made for the building, initially a double storey dome but later modified and re-modified to its present solid twin section roff-off roof concrete block structure 4.4 X 6.8 metres in size. It was once likened to a council toilet block, a description of which I am rather proud because it is both solid and functional. The architect who designed the house and an engineering firm attended to the plans, but the inspiration for the present design came from Harold Powell's excellent observatory at Hopelands.

The telescope was ordered from Cave Optical Company in Long Beach California in 1978 and was a 16 inch (40.6cm) 'Observatory Model' F6 Newtonian reflector with a 10 inch (25.4cm) F6 Newtonian guidescope. Construction of the observatory was commenced in July 1979 and was well advanced by the time the telescope arrived.

Since 1980 only small modifications have been made. The instrument now has a 15cm F5, an11cm F4, and a 60mm refractor as finders/spotters. The first mentioned which is the most recent addition is particularly useful for locating asteroid fields for asteroidal occultation work.

Other instrumentation acquired includes a 20cm Celestron 'Classic' purchased in 1989 during a trip to America and a Russian 10cm Maksutov telephoto purchased in Europe. The latter has now been modified with the addition of a star diagonal for use as a small portable telescope. An 80mm spotting scope has also been modified for solar projection work.

A modern computer and internet and Email access is now ensuring speedy contact with my associates, particularly important for last minute asteroidal updates.

The main field of observation has always been that of Lunar Occultations. Asteroidal occultations also assumed a major role from the mid 1980's. Lunar eclipse crater shadow timings etc. have been conducted from the outset at every available lunar eclipse. Up to the mid 1980's work was also carried out whole disc lunar photography at both new and full to use as a reference for research into transient events. Some ‘transient lunar phenomena’ patrols were conducted in the early years. Photographs have been taken of supernovae and suspected supernovae for the Rev. Bob Evans as well as astrophotography for other observers. Deep sky and photographic projects have also been carried out. There were many other projects over the time but it is not appropriate to list them all in such a concise report. It suffices to say that the observatory has been very active throughout the whole period.

In the first few years Friday nights were allocated for public observing sessions but this practice was discontinued as other projects increased. However, public viewing nights were held in conjunction with The Gap Lions Club during the Comet Halley apparition of 1986 during which some 2,000 people visited the observatory.

The observatory has had a number of visitors over the years. The 'astronomical’ visitors include Tom Cragg and Rev. Bob Evans, a visit by the 1982 and 1996 NACAA participants, David Dunham staying overnight in 1986 on his way to a possible Comet Halley occultation, and Patrick Moore visiting in 1988. Drs. Wolfgang Beisker and Evi Hummel visited in 1997 at the time of the Triton occultation event. Many AAQ activities including Christmas functions have been held at the observatory over the years.

1980 184 1985 476 1990 334 1995 203

1981 237 1986 350 1991 290 1996 264

1982 305 1987 478 1992 289 1997 329

1983 272 1988 391 1993 231 1998 221

1984 271 1989 311 1994 306 1999 169

TOTAL 5,911 Average per year 296

Included in the above totals were numerous unidentified stars, stepped events and 'fades'. Of particular interest was a 20 event graze viewed from the observatory on 29 July 1990 as well as four occultations of Jupiter and its Galilean moons.

Though potential asteroidal occultations have always formed part of the program, it was not until the mid -1980's that this program got into full swing, and as an indication of activity, an average of 26 asteroidal appulses were observed annually over the past ten years.

10 Hygiea 8 October 1983 6.7 seconds

230 Athamantis 11 May 1984 8.0 seconds

2 Pallas 24 October 1985 28.5 seconds

P/Halley (&BD+20.53 1) 19 November 1985 Fluctuations over a period

in excess of 2 minutes

121 Hermione 8 March 1988 5.3 seconds

(Absent overseas on 9 June 1988 for Pluto event)

Mars (& SAO 93195) 17 February 1989 4 minutes 37.5 seconds

5 Astraea 2 February 1991 17.4 seconds

31 Euphrosyne 24 August 1993 16.0 seconds

With retirement, the recent years have also seen an increase in Astronomical Travel. I travelled to the 1998 Caribbean total solar eclipse, the 1999 Annular eclipse near Geraldton, and the August 1999 European total eclipse which was rained out for me. However whilst there I did address the European IOTA conference in Stuttgart and also presented two poster papers.

It appears that low light video photography holds the most promise for increasing the accuracy of occultation observations, and is particularly appropriate for asteroidal occultations. Acquisition of such equipment and supporting timing equipment is being investigated. Plans are well advanced for expeditions to the 2001 African eclipse and the 2002 Ceduna eclipse.

P.E. Anderson - January 2000.