Looking up to the stars

 

The following lines were written after a visit to John Tebbutt’s home and observatory in Windsor, nestled on the Hawkesbury (Dyarubbin) river.

John Tebbutt was born in 1834, Windsor, and spent all his life here, fulfilling his love for the skies. He built – with his own hands – his observatory that stands even today, and from therein, discovered comets and cosmic glitters, for which he won recognition around the world. Tebbutt discovered comets, most notably, the comet of 1861 now known as Tebbutt’s comet besides publishing over 350 articles worldwide based on his astronomical observations at a time when Australia was considered a far-off colony. A quiet achiever, Tebbutt refused to move out of Windsor, despite his success, and offered opportunities including the position of government astronomer for New South Wales.

His house – and observatory – stands even today, while his instruments have been housed in the nearby Hawkesbury Musuem. In recognition of his work, John Tebbutt (and his observatory) was celebrated in an earlier $100 note of the country.

How much must One

Have loved this land,

This sluggish river slow,

To have forever stayed here

In blessed Darug skies

Sacred Dyarubbin’s flow

Some heimweh, homesickness

That nomads like us

Will perhaps, never understand –

We, who have once tore our roots,

How will we know, depth of love

Of a lonesome piece of land?

Yet, Tebbutt lived here

In Windsor’s bucolic charm

Looking up at the night skies

Spotting comets, stars,

Occultations and nova scars

Turning old, greying wise

Insignificant indeed is Life,

Perhaps he understood 

Looking up to the stars,

For eyes that perceived parsecs

Sydney, Paris, Earth

Do these even matter?

The house of his stars still remains –

In Hawkesbury’s forgotten lands

Now, a lone pilgrimage

For star-seekers, moon-lovers,

Or those, who want to leave behind

City life, its lost mirage

If you go, 

Perhaps you'll still spot John

Staring at the skies,

Refracting telescope in hand,

Noting azimuths, meridians and stars

That never cared to rise…

6^th December 2025