South African Astronomical Observatory.
Royal Observatory, Cape of Good Hope archives, 1815-1946.
Collection contains correspondence, finances and administrative records of the Royal Observatory at the Cape of Good Hope. Topics include the establishment of the observatory (1815-1946, 7 books and 2 boxes), stationary and printing (1879-1946 (3 books and 1 box), building and grounds (1879-1946, 11 books and 1 box), moveable property (1879-1927, 4 books), bills and accounts (1879-1946, 7 books and 2 boxes), heliometers and zodiacal stars (1897-1935, 1 box), chronometers and time signals (1900-1946, 2 books and 2 boxes), standard times (1907-1937, 1 box), meteorology (1907-1923, 1 book), the Royal Observatory Greenwich (1857-1937, 1 box), rhodesian surveys (1898-1927, 1 box), standards (1879-1906, 1 book), general astronomy (1891-1946, 7 books and 3 boxes), societies (1879-1946, 4 books and 2 boxes), and photography (1890-1936, 1 book).
The Royal Observatory was founded at the Cape of Good Hope in 1820 following a proposal by the Commissioners of the Board of Longitude. The main task of observatory was to determine accurate star positions and provide a reliable time service to aid maritime navigation. Fearon Fallows was appointed His Majesty's Astronomer at the Cape of Good Hope and arrived in Cape Town in 1821. His first task was to select a suitable site for the new observatory. He then supervised the work on the Main Building which commenced in 1825 and was completed in 1828. After Fallows died in 1831,there were a further eight Royal Astronomers appointed during the history of the Cape Observatory: Thomas Henderson (1831-1833), Thomas Maclear (1833-1870), Edward James Stone (1870-1879), David Gill (1879-1907), Sydney Samuel Hough (1907-1923), Harold Spencer Jones (1923-1933), John Jackson (1933-1950) and Richard Hugh Stoy (1950-1968).
Royal Greenwich Observatory
Royal Observatory, Cape of Good Hope
South African Astronomical Observatory.
Astronomy -- 19th century.
Astronomy -- Observations -- South Africa.
Chronometers.
Heliometer.
Meteorology
Telescopes (Astronomy) -- South Africa.
Time -- Systems and standards.
Zodiacal light.
AIP-ICOS
South African Astronomical Observatory. P.O. Box 9, Observatory, 7935 South Africa