The Oddie Dome and Telescope plan. Examined by Pietro Baracchi, Director of Melbourne Observatory, 25 October 1910. Courtesy of Mount Stromlo ObservatoryJames Oddie was a businessman, amateur astronomer and philanthropist from Ballarat, VIC.
James Oddie by Thomas Price, c.1885. Courtesy of the Art Gallery of Ballarat
He offered his 9-inch telescope to Australia in 1910. It was used by Pietro Baracchi (Chief Astronomer for Victoria) and his assistant Dr Baldwin, to carry out site tests for the suitability of Mount Stromlo as a home for the new Commonwealth Solar Observatory.
The first Commonwealth building in the capital, the Oddie Dome, was originally planned as a temporary wooden structure. But Baracchi argued that a sturdy structure with facilities for two astronomers needed to be erected.
The final Oddie Dome consisted of a kitchen and accommodation for a caretaker (Robert Magill) as well as bedrooms for the astronomers and a dark room. In 1913, a telephone line was established between Mount Stromlo and Queanbeyan exchange.
Dr. Duffield and two unknown men outside the Oddie Dome, Mount Stromlo c. 1929. Courtesy of the National Archives of Australia
The Oddie Dome, c. 1960. Courtesy of ANU Archives
With the advent of newer, more sophisticated telescopes, the Oddie telescope transitioned to an educational telescope - used with school groups and other visitors to Mount Stromlo to observe the night sky.
The dome and telescope were destroyed as a result of the 2003 Canberra bushfire.
