220 – Vic Gostin on time, rocks, and space

Our #SouthAustralia Drink Of The Week is a #Shiraz #Cabernet from @Skillogalee in the #ClareValley. It brought back memories of heading to the #FlindersRanges for our guest @VictorGostin https://t.co/r9fuKFTIe5

— The Adelaide Show (@TheAdelaideShow) November 11, 2017

What has been your link to Arkaroola?

Do you agree with the Sprigg stories, that Sir Douglas Mawson got involved in mining operations but was really just after access to unique minerals?

Hot, sweaty, flies, steep; what are your earliest memories of going out on site in your geological pursuits?

How can we wrap our minds around time, especially when staring at geological records?

How is it that geology binds science together?

How is astronomy linked to geology?

Tell us about your discovery in the Flinders Ranges of a deposit of volcanic material that was ejected from Lake Acraman 300 km away due to the impact of a meteorite?

And how does it relate to a claim on The Study that, the geology, and lately the palaeontology of your discovery, is stimulating some interesting new lines of research into the origin of multi-cellular life on earth?

Can you explain our fixation on astrology? Especially when everything is moving?

From Andrew Reimer: How can you prove the world is not flat?

How can we soak up more “wonder” in our lives?

Your wife, Olga, is an academic in her own right in anthropology. Are holidays with you two really nerdy or do you talk about mundane matters too?

Observer March 1905
BURKES TELESCOPE.
At the meeting of the Public library Board on Friday, March 17, the Library committee reported that it had received as a donation from Mr. H. A. Wigrell, of Quorn, the telescope that belonged to the late Robert O’Hara Burke. It was arranged to have the instrument, which was originally given to Mr. Wigzell by the explorer John King, the only survivor of the infamous Burke and Wills expedition, on
his return from crossing the Australian continent, placed in a glass case in the Library.

Register 1904
MR. DOBBIE’S HOMEMADE TELESCOPE.
Mr. A. V. Dobbie had a company of star gazers at his residence, College Park, on Saturday night to scan the heavens through his new telescope, which is by far the largest in South Australia. The night was particularly favourable for the purpose. Among those present was the Government Astronomer (Sir Charles Todd), who gave the following impressions to a representative of The Register:—  As an
old observer I must say that I was exceedingly pleased, and that Mr. Dobbie really deserves all the compliments that can possibly lie paid to him for the success he has achieved. I was remarkably struck with the definition of the moon. As viewed with a magnified power of between 190 and 200 the shadows were remarkably well defined; in fact, I have never seen them better.

The Advertiser June 1951
CAPT. COOK’S TELESCOPE “DISCOVERED”
After being “un-claimed” for over a century and a half, a telescope which might have given Capt. James Cook his first view of Australia, has appeared as the show piece of an Adelaide antique clock dealer’s window display. The dealer, Mr. J. H. Clark, of Gouger street, bought the telescope this week from a family who offered him “odds and ends of antique interest” which they wanted to sell before moving to a new home. The telescope, over 3 ft. long, its brass tarnished, its leather binding frayed and worn, is Inscribed: — Captain James Cook. Endeavour, 1768. It was in 1768 that Capt Cook took the Endeavour on her first voyage to observe the transit of Venus. Until Mr. Clark bought the telescope, it had been in the possession of one family for over 150 years. They trace its history back to the time when their ancestors were instrument makers in Wales. The telescope was brought in for repair, by a sea captain, who had been a member of Cook’s crew; but before the repairs were completed the captain was drowned at sea. It was never claimed, and when the family migrated to SA about 100 years ago they brought the telescope with them.