Georg Neumayer’s magnetic survey of the colony of Victoria 1858–1864

Abstract

From 1858 to 1864 Georg Neumayer supervised and personally observed measurements of magnetic declination, inclination and intensity at the Flagstaff Hill and the new Melbourne observatories. During this time he also travelled extensively to make regional observations at over 230 locations throughout the colony. The setting up and the layout of his instruments in the observatories, the measurements made and a brief summary of the published results is included here as are accounts of each of Neumayer’s trips, some of which were to remote regions and at times made in hazardous conditions. Neumayer’s travelling companions are identified and specific incidents are highlighted. His innovative study of the Cranbourne meteorite is discussed along with his mentions of the magnetic responses of geological structures he had seen in his travels. Neumayer’s regional magnetic results and his published magnetic maps are then summarised and placed into context with work by others.