SOUTHERN ASTRONOMERS and
AUSTRALIAN ASTRONOMY
ELEMENTARY ASTRONOMY FOR SERVICE USE
HARLEY WOOD, Government Astronomer
Issued by
SYDNEY OBSERVATORY
and
THE DONOVAN ASTRONOMICAL TRUST
FOURTH EDITION
SYDNEY
AUSTRALASIAN MEDICAL PUBLISHING COMPANY LIMITED
1944
INTRODUCTION
By Andrew James
In this section of webpages is the reproduction of a
small forty page A5-sized (7¾×9¾cm. or
5½×8½−inch) card-covered booklet that was
originally issued by the Government Astronomer of New South Wales,
Dr. Harley Wood at Sydney Observatory. Financially supported by the
Donavan Trust, this booklet was originally one of several
published editions that appeared during the Second World War (WWII).
Both 1st & 2nd Edition were made during 1941, and the 3rd Edition
in 1942. This greatly expanded version here is the last 4th version.
Dr. Wood had produced all these works, which “was originally produced for boy scouts
with its supplement to make the information more useful for military
purposes.” This whole booklet
became the important foundation for basic training and teaching of
service personnel in the Australian Army, Navy and Air Force.
Dr. Harley Wood had in New South Wales already made
significant contributions as an educator, including teaching the
basic principles of astronomy and how to use the sun, moon and stars
for navigation purposes. The latter was both useful and important in
wartime during nighttime manoeuvres or finding directions when
combating the enemy, which often required stealth or camouflage,
careful positioning of forces or attacks on the opposing forces under
total darkness. This could save countless lives and the survival of
individuals, platoons or squadrons.
This useful little booklet had real benefits. As said
by Dr. Wood in his introduction;
“…officers who
had taken part in such campaigns seem impressed with its value which
is increased by the present-day practices of performing many military
movements at night.”
 Carried onto
the field of battle by one of the military unit’s leaders, this simply designed book was
useful for basic navigation by infantry or sailors at sea. For
example, the back cover (See Figure Left or the full sized image at
the Bottom of Part 5.) along with the
inside attached text) could be easily used for nighttime star
navigation or find your bearings. It is a great tribute to its
effectiveness, especially with the easy and concise language style
use. Of course, the real advantage other than finding direction was
also in using the Sun, Moon and stars to get an estimation of
local time. Such advantages were applicable in knowing the
expected time of local civil or nautical twilight. Advantages during
the North African desert campaigns showed having some astronomical
knowledge was valuable to army soldiers. No doubt, this booklet did
mercifully saved many lives during WWII.
In wartime Australia, the real prospects of an
expected Japanese invasion sometime during 1942 or 1943 meant that
some understanding of navigation was required. All senior military
commanders knew of the considerable inherent difficulties in
defending the comparatively vast uninhabited expanse of Northern
Australia. So knowing the position of the enemy and you became very
critically. Strategists considered that most of these plausible
military engagements would be more protracted guerrilla-type warfare
by small squads.
One of the navigational drawbacks in the Australian
desert regions were few geological features and the unavailability of
accurate survey maps for much of inland Australia. Furthermore, when
using compasses for determination of the cardinal points were also
troublesome, mostly credited to the distribution of magnetite-rich
(Fe2O3) or hematite-rich
(Fe2O4) iron ore deposits across the
continent.
On 27th January 1942, the Australian Government
formally requested that Allied forces protect mainland Australia from
possible Japanese attacks from the north, forming the naval ANZAC
Force or ANZAC Command. After 22nd April 1942, this
becomes part of the South West Pacific Area [Command] (SWPA)
directly under US Army commander, General Douglas Macarthur
(1888-1964).
From what I can find, ANZAC Command requested the
first of these booklets, as the Australia Government expected that
they might have to defend mainland Australia alone. With the
Americans becoming involved safeguarding Australia, the emphasis
changed to the Allied Forces. Although the immediate need for
military training encompasses many specific aspects of new knowledge
and new skills, ANZAC Command considered navigating by the stars
important.
DOCUMENT REPRODUCTION
I have reproduced the information as best I could from
the original documentthat I proudly have in my possession. All the
page background colours are as identical to the document as feasibly
possible. I would have produced all the document pages as single
images, however, the age and text font were difficult to reproduce
very accurately, so I just typed everything. In addition, most of the
figures are a little bit bigger than they should be, but the
reproduction here is as close as I could get to the originals.
Everything is as it appears, except for finding local ‘Sunrise and Sunset’ in “Fig.III.” Some
of the errors mostly seem to be with the Government Printer Office
who printed this booklet. A poor copy unfortunately has made the
various times written on the graph quite eligible.
Star charts attached in the last few pages of the
booklet were later after in 1954 to appear in a dozen or so different
books or publications over the years. I.e. The general astronomy book
“Planets, Stars and Galaxies:
Exploring our Environment in Space”
by Harley Wood (1973). I am unsure if anyone has claimed copyright on
them, however, the star charts here have been reproduced from the
original document and background, whose copyright has long since
lapsed. These charts do have some personal meaning to me. I can still
recall, many years ago, using these star charts in the separate
booklet entitled ‘Star Charts’ (and the text of this appears as a separate
addendum.) In my early teenage years, this was made far more special
in having Dr. Wood personally giving me my own copy on my first visit
to Sydney Observatory! Thankfully, these charts only go down to 4th
magnitude, as this is just above the sky brightness limit from the
inner suburbs of Sydney.
In all, much of the information presented is still
quite relevant some seventy-five years later (2020) though the
written style is slightly antiquated. I am quite unsure who might
like to read this booklet — but it will certainly remind those
who were scouts or those who did active military service. Perhaps if
you read this, you could send me a short e-mail, reflecting on the
times of this written document or even some short positive
comment.
USE of the INFORMATION TODAY
Towards the beginner, having navigational knowledge in
using the stars, sun or moon these days is rarely, if ever, needed.
To find your way now just requires the generally available GPS
satellite navigation devices and/or a mobile phone, and you can never
be lost or not know where you are. Stellar navigation as an art seems
almost redundant. Although the sprawl of urban environments
encroaches upon us making it more difficult to see the stars,
nevertheless, if you do know the sky, then during fine weather you
will never find yourself in completely unfamiliar surroundings. The
best part is you will be always be in familiar and friendly
environment and this will enable you to orientate yourself regardless
of where you are. As reflected in the contents of this little
booklet, such knowledge will be easy to grasp as while you read it
and see the stars for yourself.
Enjoy!
Andrew James : 18th March 2011
NOTE: Text written as [*NN] is the page number in
the original document.
D E D I C A T I O N
In true remembrance of so many of our ANZAC
mates that sadly lost their lives during war, we do humbly in
gratitude remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice so we
can continue to enjoy our freedoms — against tyranny, the
dark shadows of evil, and those who wish to enslave us. Like many
of my fellow Australians and New Zealanders, and those peoples of
the world who share the same ideals — we will always remain
so eternally grateful.
As we all faithfully say in the oath
towards their personal sacrifices;
“They shall not grow old, as we
who are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the Sun, and in the morning,
We will remember them.”
LEST WE FORGET
Last Update : 17th January 2021
Southern Astronomical Delights ©
(2020)
For any problems with this Website or Document please e-mail
me.
|
