For the British political advisor, see Benjamin Gascoigne, Baron Gascoigne.
Ben Gascoigne
AO
Gascoigne at the Stromlo Observatory, 1948
Born
(1915-11-11)11 November 1915
Napier, New Zealand
Died
25 March 2010(2010-03-25) (aged 94)
Canberra, Australia
Alma mater
Auckland University College
Known for
Photometry of variable stars; correction of telescope lenses to assist wide-field photography
Awards
Officer of the Order of Australia
Scientific career
Fields
Astronomy
Institutions
Australian National University
Sidney Charles Bartholemew "Ben" GascoigneAO (11 November 1915 – 25 March 2010) was a New Zealand-born optical astronomer and expert in photometry who played a leading role in the design and commissioning of Australia's largest optical telescope, the Anglo-Australian Telescope, which for a time was one of the world's most important astronomical facilities. Born in Napier, New Zealand, Gascoigne trained in Auckland and at the University of Bristol, before moving to Australia during World War II to work at the Commonwealth Solar Observatory at Mount Stromlo in Canberra. He became skillful in the design and manufacture of optical devices such as telescope elements.
Following the war, Gascoigne and astronomer Gerald Kron used newly modernised telescopes at Mount Stromlo to determine that the distance between our galaxy and the Magellanic Cloud dwarf galaxies had been underestimated by a factor of two. Because this measurement was used to calibrate other distances in astronomy, the result effectively doubled the estimated size of the universe. They also found that star formation in the Magellanic Clouds had occurred more recently than in the Milky Way; this overturned the prevailing view that both had evolved in parallel. A major figure at Mount Stromlo Observatory, Gascoigne helped it develop from a solar observatory to a centre of stellar and galactic research, and was instrumental in the creation of its field observatory in northern New South Wales, Siding Spring Observatory. When the British and Australian governments agreed to jointly build the Anglo-Australian Telescope at Siding Spring, Gascoigne was involved from its initial conception and throughout its lengthy commissioning, taking its first photograph. Gascoigne was made an Officer of the Order of Australia for his contributions to astronomy and to the Anglo-Australian Telescope.
Gascoigne and his wife, artist Rosalie Gascoigne, had three children. After he retired, Gascoigne wrote several works on Australian astronomical history. He acted as Rosalie's photographer and assistant, using his technical skills to make her artworks resilient for public display.
Sidney Charles Bartholemew "Ben" Gascoigne AO (11 November 1915 – 25 March 2010) was a New Zealand-born optical astronomer and expert in photometry who...
Regan Paul Gascoigne (born 18 February 1996 in Welwyn Garden City) is an English professional dancer, singer and actor. He has worked in several performing...
broadcaster and author Bamber Gascoigne, fictional character in Charles Lamb's Essays of Elia (essay on Christ's Hospital) BenGascoigne (1915–2010), New Zealand-born...
he was replaced as political secretary to the PM by Benjamin Gascoigne, Baron Gascoigne. He made his maiden speech on 29 January 2020, in which he called...
to Canberra, Australia in 1943 where she married astronomer S. C. B (Ben) Gascoigne whom she had met at Auckland University. They set up home in the isolated...
Foreign Office while Johnson was Foreign Secretary. After senior aide BenGascoigne threatened to resign if she was appointed, the proposal was dropped...
Garavito Armero (Colombia, 1865–1920) Gordon J. Garradd (Australia, 1959–) BenGascoigne (New Zealand, Australia, 1915–2010) Margaret Geller (United States,...
Bright Sparcs, www.asap.unimelb.edu.au Crompton, Bob (2000). "Professor BenGascoigne (1915–2010)". Interviews with Australian Scientists. Australian Academy...
2024. Gascoigne, Roger (22 October 2022). "Antonelli becomes Italian F4 champion with Mugello win". Formula Scout. Retrieved 1 June 2024. Gascoigne, Roger...
Johnson, who was then prime minister. There he joined Simone Finn and BenGascoigne as a deputy chief of staff, under the Downing Street chief of staff...
a year before his death. Przybylski, Antoni (Bill) (1913–1985), by BenGascoigne, originally published in the ANU Reporter, October 1985; archived at...
Bang-Hansen, 72, Norwegian film director, actor and film critic, skin cancer. BenGascoigne, 94, New Zealand-born Australian optical astronomer. Kit Horn, 80, American...
Jonathan Wilkes Ben Shephard Ronnie O'Sullivan Damian Lewis Angus Deayton Dean Lennox Kelly Legends David Seaman Tony Adams Paul Gascoigne Jamie Redknapp...
to a Black Visual Arts Curriculum, in Rockingham, Georgia (d. 2001); BenGascoigne, New Zealand-Australian astronomer, lead designer of the Anglo-Australian...
The combined auction profit excludes the winning prize money ^2 Chloe and Ben originally appeared on the same season, however in separate teams. They returned...
10 November – Duncan MacIntyre, soldier and politician 11 November – BenGascoigne, astronomer 14 November – David Thomson, soldier and politician 30 November...
1962) 21 March – Margaret Moth, photojournalist (born 1951) 25 March – BenGascoigne, astronomer (born 1915) 28 March – Sir Gaven Donne, jurist, former Chief...
Society of Australia. At its establishment in 1966, notable astronomer BenGascoigne was its first vice-president. The society currently has four topical...
the shared universe of Warhammer Fantasy since 1989. According to Marc Gascoigne the idea of Chaos in Warhammer was inspired by The Eternal Champion and...
Global Information