Item MM 98878 Photograph - Edward J. White, First Assistant Astronomer, Melbourne Observatory, Melbourne, Victoria, 1873

Summary

Portrait of Edward J. White, First Assistant Astronomer at Melbourne Observatory. Portrait taken in the Portrait rooms of Paterson Brothers, 8 Bourke Street East, Melbourne, on 23 September 1873.

Physical Description

Carte de visite sized photograph.

Significance

Edward J. White (1831-1913) was First Assistant Astronomer at Melbourne Observatory. White joined Williamstown Observatory as assistant astronomer in 1860, moved to Melbourne Observatory when it was established in 1863, and remained as First Assistant Astronomer until his retirement in 1892.

White was responsible at the Observatory for the main transit observations, both to establish local standard time, and for preparation of star catalogues of southern hemisphere stars. He also undertook most of the detailed mathematical work required to reduce each observation and determine its precise position for the star catalogues.

White resided in one of the two houses built for the astronomers adjacent to the Observatory near St Kilda Road; Government Astronomer Robert Ellery lived in the other. Even after he retired in 1892, White continued to reside in the house until his death, the rent deducted from his pension. He continued to undertake work for the Observatory on a casual basis, continuing work on reducing star observations for publication.