Emeritus Professor Sidney (Ben) Gascoine - AO, MSc

Sidney followed his Auckland degree with a PhD at the University of Bristol, returning to Australia where he settled.

Sidney has made a major contribution as a 'father' of the discipline of modern astronomy with an international reputation for his studies of the galaxies. As Consultant Astronomer to the Anglo-Australian Telescope Board he brought into operation the 3.5m major optical telescope near Canberra that made new calculations possible, including his proof, which still stands, that the universe is twice as vast and twice as old as previously thought. His new methods of control were then copied by others.

Sidney has received many awards, including the Order of Australia. He received a Distinguished Alumni Award in 2002.