Observatories
The RSAA is located at the Mount Stromlo Observatory (MSO), a 20-minute drive from the main Acton campus of ANU near the centre of Canberra, Australia’s capital city. We also operate Australia’s largest optical observatory, Siding Spring Observatory, which is located near the town of Coonabarabran in the western plains of New South Wales, and hosts telescopes of research groups from around the world as well as those of RSAA and other Australian institutions.
Mount Stromlo Observatory (MSO) is the headquarters of RSAA, located in Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory. It is the administrative centre of the school, and the offices of the astronomers and students, the mechanical, electronic and optical workshops, and computer laboratories are located at MSO. The observatory is also home to the Advanced Technology Instrumentation Centre (AITC), a world-class facility for developing and testing astronomical instrumentation, small satellites and space payloads.
Siding Spring Observatory (SSO) is located in the Warrumbungle region of New South Wales, at a height of 1164m. SSO began as a field station for the Mount Stromlo Observatory when light pollution from Canberra began to adversely affect sky visibility from MSO. It has since become Australia's premier facility for optical and infrared astrophysics observations. ANU also operates accommodation facilities for observing astronomers and the Exploratory visitor's centre at SSO.
