Bagnall Beach Observatory

On the coast at Corlette, near Port Stephens in New South Wales, Bagnall Beach Observatory is a small, privately owned observatory that has quietly added several minor planets to the astronomical record.

About Bagnall Beach Observatory

Bagnall Beach Observatory is a private observatory in Corlette, on Australia's east coast, run by amateur astronomer Greg Crawford and equipped with a 0.28-metre Schmidt–Cassegrain telescope. It carries the Minor Planet Center observatory code 433.

Telescopes & research

Working from Corlette in the early 2000s, Crawford used the observatory's telescope to discover three minor planets, now permanently designated (112835) 2002 QL17, (124033) 2001 FP127 and (191213) 2002 RA1. The observatory has also contributed photometric observations to international collaborations studying binary asteroid systems.

Location & getting there

Corlette sits on the Tomaree Peninsula near Port Stephens, New South Wales, on Australia's east coast - a coastal setting away from major city light pollution.

Visiting

Bagnall Beach Observatory is a private, residential facility rather than a public attraction, so it is not generally open for tours. Anyone hoping to learn more should look for current contact details online before planning a visit.

See your named star from here

Wherever you find yourself along the New South Wales coast, an observatory or astronomy club can help you find a named star using its coordinates from the Star Register catalogue.