A new optical astronomy observatory has been built for the UTAS School of Mathematics and Physics. The observatory is located on Bisdee Tier, east of the Midland Highway at Spring Hill in Tasmania. The peak at Bisdee Tier has been selected by a team under the direction of Dr John Greenhill as one of the best sites in the state in relation to average cloud cover, quality of astronomical seeing, light pollution and accessibility.
The observatory building will have a rotatable dome housing the new telescope and associated spectrograph, computer and control rooms. A second building will serve as quarters for observers and provide facilities for students, researchers and visitors.
The new observatory will replace the Mount Canopus facility and has the potential to be a flagship facility capturing the imagination and support of a wide segment of society. Engagement with the community is at the heart of this effort. The proposed new facility represents growth for UTAS astronomy programs and for the community as a whole.