S. C. B. ‘Ben’ Gascoigne 1915–2010
Fred Watson
A
Abstract
Professor Sidney Charles Bartholomew Gascoigne AO, FAA (1915–2010) was an Aotearoa New Zealand-born astronomer whose distinguished career was carried out mostly in Australia. Known to all as Ben Gascoigne, his warm personality and many contributions to Australian optical astronomy made him a respected and much-loved elder statesman of the science. His work on the development and commissioning of the Anglo-Australian Telescope (opened in 1974) is held in particularly high regard. In retirement, Ben took on a new career, supporting his wife Rosalie as she found fame as one of Australia’s most prominent artists.
Keywords: Anglo-Australian Telescope, Australian astronomy history, Great Melbourne Telescope, LMC, Magellanic Clouds, Mount Stromlo Observatory, photoelectric astronomical photometry, Rosalie Gascoigne, S C B ‘Ben’ Gascoigne, SMC.
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