Series 615 - Records of the Commonwealth Solar Observatory (Mt Stromlo) and Kurt Gottlieb

Identity area

Reference code

AU ANUA 615

Title

Records of the Commonwealth Solar Observatory (Mt Stromlo) and Kurt Gottlieb

Date(s)

  • 1929 - 2000 (Creation)

Level of description

Series

Extent and medium

5 type 1 boxes; 1 type 2 box; 1 type 10 box and blueprints.

Context area

Name of creator

(1910 - 1995)

Biographical history

Kurt Gottlieb was born in Graz, Austria in 1910, was awarded a Diploma in Engineering in Brno, Czechoslovakia and came to Australia as a Jewish refugee in 1939. He worked at the Commonwealth Solar Observatory as a mechanical designer and draftsman doing optical munitions work during World War II. After the war he stayed on at the Observatory, in 1957 renamed Mount Stromlo Observatory as part of the Department of Astronomy at the Australian National University, where his position was Research Engineer (Fellow) and he was placed in charge of the workshops.

Name of creator

(1924 - 1957)

Biographical history

The Commonwealth Solar Observatory was established in January 1924, one of its purposes being the study of solar phenomena. By 1950 the Observatory's name had changed, becoming the Commonwealth Observatory. In 1957 the observatory located at Mount Stromlo became part of the Australian National University as the Department of Astronomy in the Research School of Physical Sciences.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Includes correspondence, memoranda, reports, articles, photographs and blueprints related to the Commonwealth Solar Observatory (Mt Stromlo Observatory) and the work of Kurt Gottlieb. This includes the design and construction of various telescopes at the Mt Stromlo site, work on optical munitions and site testing and development of the Siding Spring Observatory. The collection includes a large number of photographs of Mt Stromlo equipment, buildings and staff and a large number of blueprints for telescopes, equipment and buildings.

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      Existence and location of originals

      Existence and location of copies

      Some items have been digitised and are available at https://openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au/handle/1885/13531

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