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6 unusual facts about Siding Spring Observatory


Anglo-Australian Telescope

The Anglo-Australian Telescope (AAT) is a 3.9 m equatorially mounted telescope operated by the Australian Astronomical Observatory and situated at the Siding Spring Observatory, Australia at an altitude of a little over 1100 m.

Automated Patrol Telescope

The Automated Patrol Telescope (APT) is a wide-field CCD imaging telescope, which is operated by the University of New South Wales at Siding Spring Observatory, Australia.

Boomerang Nebula

Keith Taylor and Mike Scarrott called it the 'Boomerang Nebula' in 1980 after observing it with the Anglo-Australian telescope at the Siding Spring Observatory.

Duncan Waldron

On October 10, 1986, Waldron discovered the asteroid, 3753 Cruithne, while serving at the UK Schmidt Telescope at Siding Spring Observatory, and on November 21, 1986, also discovered asteroid 5577 Priestley.

Mount Woodroffe

It lost out due to its remoteness compared to Siding Spring in New South Wales, where the AAT sits today amongst other astronomical observatories.

UK Schmidt Telescope

The 1.2 metre UK Schmidt Telescope (UKST) is operated by the Australian Astronomical Observatory (formerly the Anglo-Australian Observatory), and located adjacent to the 3.9 metre Anglo-Australian Telescope at Siding Spring Observatory, Australia.


7604 Kridsadaporn

7604 Kridsadaporn is a Mars-crossing asteroid discovered by R. H. McNaught on 31 August 1995 at Siding Spring Observatory near the town of Coonabarabran, Australia.

Catalina Sky Survey

CSS utilizes three telescopes, a 1.5 meter (60 inch) f/2 telescope on the peak of Mt. Lemmon, a 68 cm (27 inch) f/ 1.7 Schmidt telescope near Mt. Bigelow (both in the Tucson, AZ area) and a 0.5 meter (20 inch) f/3 Uppsala Schmidt telescope at Siding Spring Observatory in Australia.


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