Australian colonial astronomy and the impact of world wars, the Great Depression and constitutional deliberations (1912-1945)

Abstract

This thesis investigates the impact of debates around Constitutional ambiguities on Australian colonial astronomy between 1912 and 1945. Specifically, it aims to determine whether lengthy debates that occurred in this period, which involved discussions between the Commonwealth Government and state governments on the funding and oversight of observatories, had a more significant impact on the financing and development of astronomy than the major historical events of the period, including the First World War, the Great Depression, and the Second World War. A thorough review of relevant historical records and secondary sources was required to explore this question. This study was informed by examining the debates and negotiations between the Commonwealth Government and states during this period and the impact of any resulting policy changes on observatories and astronomy research. Sydney Observatory was the case study where funding levels and research outputs were compared before, during, and after the drawn-out constitutional deliberations and other relevant historical events. The purpose of this thesis is to make an original contribution to the understanding of the history of Australian colonial astronomy by analysing the influence of political debates and policy decisions on the development of this field. Additionally, this research may provide insights into broader questions about the role of government funding and oversight in scientific research and development by showing how the marginalisation of research experts can have devasting, long-range impacts on research fields of excellence in Australia.

Date of Thesis submission	2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Western Sydney University
Supervisor	Brett Bowden (Supervisor) & Alison Downham Moore (Supervisor)