Linden Observatory

27/09/2026

A recent discovery in the observatory archives is this booklet for an art exhibition in 1964.

Observatory founder Ken Beames entered a sculpture - unfortunately we have no known record of what it was - but it did place him in some esteemed company within the catalogue - George Finey and Norman Lindsay.

15/08/2026

Great article in The Australian about the problems faced by the observatory with flight paths from Western Sydney. Link provided but behind a paywall…

In a classic David and Goliath battle, a group of amateur astronomers in Western Sydney is fighting the federal government and Airservices over the interference to its astrophotography from new flight paths.

14/08/2026

Ken Beames made his first telescope in 1933. Now 93 years later we’ve begun the slow process of restoration.

The makers mark was revealed for the first time in nearly 50 years. The mirror, covered in decades of dust still has its silver coating.

Ken Beames & I moved it into the dome back in 1977. When moving it last week, it was much heavier than I remembered… I’m very grateful to our volunteer helpers and their muscles!

13/06/2026

The observatory is home to a variety of wildlife, including lyrebirds, which can frequently be seen and heard around the site.

13/06/2026

These magpies act as if they own the place! They are always very curious to see what I’m doing in their space.

18/05/2026

We had a huge working bee with Linden residents and volunteers helping around the grounds and with the ongoing building maintenance of the workshops. Also painters and carpenters doing essential repairs. Our resident possum was unimpressed but I’m very happy with the work. A huge thank you to all involved.

18/04/2026

We hosted Basketry today for the first time. Perfect Linden weather!

01/04/2026

In the December 1977 Blue Mountains bush fires the observatory storeroom burned down. I stood in the doorway of the adjacent building - which houses the planetarium - armed with a backpack spray, trying to stop it burning. I finished the day singed and blackened. I’ve since recovered, but the building still carries the scars.