ASTRONOMICAL
SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN AFRICA
TACHARD, Guy [Father]
Visiting Professional Astronomer
Photo Gallery: Tachard
Index:
First telescopic observations made of stars in Southern Africa.
Summary:
Father Guy Tachard, a French Jesuit Priest, came ashore on his way to Siam (Thailand). He was here for approximately 10 days (2 June to approximately 12 June 1685: Simon Van Der Stel was the Governor). In that time he established an Observatory near the Gardens in Cape Town. He attempted to establish the Longitude, but was unable to derive a useful co-ordination.
Career:
Personal:
Link to the Telescope Manufacturers.
12 ft Telescope. [Harrison]
Link to the Main Bibliography Section and more information about Sources.
Painting of Observatory: Africana Museum. Look Photo Gallery
Bibliography:
Moore, P. & Collins, P., Astronomy in Southern Africa, pp.21 - 26. (General Source)
John Harrison Tercentenary, MNASSA, Vol. 52, Nos. 7 & 8, 1993 Aug.
By Tachard:
Voyages de Siam des Peres Jesuites. 1686.
Link to Objects Lost and / or Found.
Link to a short History of Astronomy in Southern Africa.
Link to a Time Line to see how Events on this page relates to the bigger time dimension.
Link to view the Achievements and other Interesting Aspects of Southern African Astronomers.
Link to the Telescope Manufacturers.
Link to the Main Bibliography Section and more information about Sources and the Archive.
Director Historical Section: Chris de Coning - siriusa@absamail.co.za
Webmaster: Christian Hettlage - webmaster@assa.saao.ac.za