The Hobart Time Ball and Time Gun: a Critical Review

Details The Hobart Time Ball and Time Gun: a Critical Review The Hobart Time Ball and Time Gun: a Critical Review

Jul 2011

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2011jahh...14..145k&link_type=abstract

Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage (ISSN 1440-2807), Vol. 14, No. 2, p. 145 - 164 (2011).

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

Time Ball, Time Gun, Hobart

Scientific paper

Discussion at the Royal Society in Hobart in 1865 and acoustic experiments in 1868 led to a combined time ball and time gun service in Hobart from March 1875. Complaints from residents led to relocation of the gun a month later, but it was then fired from Queen's Battery in the Domain for half a century. The drop of the ball at Battery Point was always the master signal; the gun was fired when the ball was seen to drop. During the early years, private citizens in Hobart provided the time reference. From September 1886, an electric telegraph signal from Hobart Observatory was used to provide correct time to the ball operator, but signals were of questionable accuracy. During February 1910, the source of the telegraph signal was changed from Hobart Observatory to Melbourne Observatory, but the service was still unreliable and there was pressure to re-equip Hobart Observatory. Finally, automatic dropping of the time ball by telegraph from Melbourne was introduced in November 1910. The time ball service ended in February 1927. The time gun had probably ceased to operate by the end of 1923, but before that date there were sometimes long gaps in the time gun service, particularly on Sundays.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The Hobart Time Ball and Time Gun: a Critical Review does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with The Hobart Time Ball and Time Gun: a Critical Review, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Hobart Time Ball and Time Gun: a Critical Review will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-996023