Canopus Hill Observatory

Organization	University of Tasmania
Location	Mount Canopus near Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Coordinates	42°50′51″S 147°25′58″E / 42.84750°S 147.43278°E / -42.84750; 147.43278
Altitude	260 m (850 ft)
Established	1970s
Telescopes
unnamed telescope 1 m reflector
Location of Canopus Hill Observatory
[edit on Wikidata]

The Canopus Hill Observatory, located approximately 12 km from Hobart in Tasmania, Australia, is an optical astronomy observatory belonging to the University of Tasmania (UTAS).^[1] Due to the high southern latitude, the Canopus Hill Observatory is able to observe and study the Magellanic Clouds.^[2] However, the observatory has closed down due to the "encroaching light pollution from the Hobart suburbs".^[3] According to the Astronomical Society, light pollution reduces the vision of the night sky, becoming a "major menace to amateur and professional astronomers alike".^[4]

Telescope

The Canopus Hill Observatory has a variety of telescope instrumentation, including a 2-channel high speed photometer with UBVR, clear filters, a CCD photometer with SITe 512x512 pixel illuminated backside-thinned CCD and quick change 6-channel filter wheel.^[5] According to the UTAS, these telescope instrumentations are attached at the f/11 Cassegrain focus. There is also a 16" telescope that is used for observatory open nights for public viewing, photographic work and the Astronomical Society of Tasmania.^[6]