1st Edition
Colonial Astronomy and Political Power in Australia, 1912–1945 Sydney Observatory and the Struggle for Scientific Autonomy
By Ian D. Tasker
Copyright 2027
150 Pages
17 B/W Illustrations
by
Routledge
This book analyses how constitutional tensions and political ambivalence shaped Australian astronomy between 1912 and 1945, using Sydney Observatory as a central case study. It traces the Observatory’s struggle to navigate funding instability, administrative challenges, and shifting scientific priorities amidst broader jurisdictional disputes between state and Commonwealth governments. Set... Read more
Biography
Ian Tasker is a historian of Australian colonial science, with a Master of Research from Western Sydney University. He has an extensive background in astronomy education and research, having presented at international conferences such as the International Astronomical Union General Assembly and authored articles in leading journals like the Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage. He brings a unique perspective as both an academic and practitioner, combining deep historical analysis with insights into the broader implications of scientific governance.
