Canopus Hill Observatory

Canopus Hill Observatory
Alternative namesCanopus Hill Observatory, Tasmania
OrganizationUniversity of Tasmania
LocationMount Canopus near Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Coordinates42°50′51″S 147°25′58″E / 42.84750°S 147.43278°E / -42.84750; 147.43278
Altitude260 m (850 ft)
Established1970s
Telescopes
unnamed telescope1 m reflector
Location of Canopus Hill Observatory

The Canopus Hill Observatory, located approximately 12 km from Hobart in Tasmania, Australia, is an optical astronomy observatory belonging to the University of Tasmania (UTAS). Due to the high southern latitude, the Canopus Hill Observatory is able to observe and study the Magellanic Clouds. However, the observatory has closed down due to the "encroaching light pollution from the Hobart suburbs". According to the Astronomical Society, light pollution reduces the vision of the night sky, becoming a "major menace to amateur and professional astronomers alike".