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  4. Astronomer

Astronomer

Occupation - Astronomer
Brisbane, Thomas Makdougall
Dawes, William
Dunlop, James
Martens, Conrad
Nangle, James
Rümker, Christian Karl Ludwig
Scott, William
Position - Astronomer of Parramatta Observatory
Dunlop, James
1821 - 1847
Rümker, Christian Karl Ludwig
1826 - 1830
Position - Astronomer of Sydney Observatory building
Nangle, James
1926 - 1941
Scott, William
1858 - 1862

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Astronomer

Brisbane, Thomas Makdougall

Governor of New South Wales between 1821 and 1825 who focused on consolidation rather than expansion of settlement and attempted to carry out Bigge's recommendations with regard to civil administration and the management of convicts.

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Dawes, William

Officer of marines with the First Fleet, who set up an observatory, explored the Nepean, and became an authority on the Sydney language during his three years in the colony.

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Dunlop, James

Astronomer at Parramatta Observatory from 1821, and superintendent from 1831-47.

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Martens, Conrad

Artist who travelled with Charles Darwin on the Beagle before settling in Sydney where he recorded the landscapes and harbour for thirty five years.

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Nangle, James

Architect, educator and astronomer who helped reorganise technical education in Sydney.

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Rümker, Christian Karl Ludwig

German mathematician and sailor who interest in astronomy led him to work at Governor Brisbane's private observatory at Parramatta from 1821-1823. He was appointed the first government astronomer in 1827 and went to London in 1829 for astronomical instruments. He was dismissed from the government's service after a quarrel with the head of the Royal Astronomical Society, and did not return to Sydney. His name was often recorded as Charles or Carl Runker or Rumcker.

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Scott, William

The first government astronomer appointed to the Sydney Observatory.

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Parramatta Observatory

Constructed in 1821-22 for Sir Thomas Brisbane and the astronomers Carl Rumker and James Dunlop, it operated until 1847 and many of the instruments were then re-used when the Sydney observatory was opened in 1858.

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Sydney Observatory building

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Scientific observation station built on Sydney's highest point.