In 1887 H. C. Russell, Government Astronomer at Sydney Observatory, agreed to be a part of a photographic project of international significance. This was the 'Carte du Ciel' or ''Mapping the Stars'' project which saw Australian observatories engaged in mapping of the stars in the southern section of the heavens using photography.

A special photographic telescope, often referred to as the 'Star camera', was made for the project by and June 1891 the was complete except for the special measuring plates (resaux) which were needed to put lines of measurement onto the photograph.

This glass plate while among the first taken with the 'Star Camera' was not used on the ''Mapping the Stars'' project because the observatory did not have a tested reseau to use. Instead this plate is among a very few surviving early photographs made in 1891, using a reseau provided to Russell by Admiral Mouchez, the Director of the Paris Observatory. This is a rare example of a glass plate produced by Field Dodgson.

For more information see linked Powerhouse Theme, 'Sydney Observatory Star Camera and Mouchez's Reseau 1891'

Geoff Barker, Curatorial, September, 2008

Bibliography
Nangle, J., 'The Sydney Observatory; its history and work, Sydney Technical College, 1930
Russell, H.C., 'Preparations Now Being Made in Sydney Observatory for the Photographic Chart of the Heavens', in Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales for 1891, Kegan Paul, Tench, Turner & Co., Limited, London, 1892
Russell, H.C., 'Notes on Some Celestial Photographs recently taken at the Sydney Observatory', in Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales for 1891, Kegan Paul, Tench, Turner & Co., Limited, London, 1892
Russell, H.C., Description of the Star Camera at The Sydney Observatory, Alfred James Kent, Government Printer, 1923
Wood, Harley, Astrographic Catalogue 1900.0, Sydney Section -52° to -64°, volume LIII, V.C.N. Blight, Government Printer, 1971

Photographic negative, Field Dodgson glass plate, number 79, the stars showing the area around Eta Argus (now Eta Carinae), glass / gelatin emulsion, used at Sydney Observatory, photograph by James Short and H. C. Russell, Sydney, 1891

Details written on paper envelope with comment 'Grubb camera Hud[g]son Plate stained'.

Made: 1891

P3548-154

1891

155 mm

155 mm