National Museum of Australia@nma

Bringing to life rich and diverse stories of Australia. On Ngunnawal, Ngunawal and Ngambri Country #OurNMA View our community standards: bit.ly/34KDEKN

 Canberra
nma.gov.au
Joined June 2009
6,977 Photos and videos
Don't worry if you haven't seen one of our #MysteryObject posts before – we'll show you the ropes! Every Friday, we post a "mystery" object and you have until Monday to guess what it is. Be warned! Navigating this one might not be smooth sailing 👀
A roughly triangular-shaped frame of black metal, with a curved brass ruler at the bottom edge. On top of the frame is a moveable arm with a numbered plastic dial, which moves the arm along the curved ruler. Beneath the frame are three metal legs, and a handle of red wood. Accompanying text reads 'Can you guess this week's mystery object?

ALT A roughly triangular-shaped frame of black metal, with a curved brass ruler at the bottom edge. On top of the frame is a moveable arm with a numbered plastic dial, which moves the arm along the curved ruler. Beneath the frame are three metal legs, and a handle of red wood. Accompanying text reads 'Can you guess this week's mystery object?

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Answer: This is a marine model sextant made by Heath & Co! It can be used by ship navigators to measure the altitude of different celestial objects, which helps to determine the ship's current location.
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No one invited us to #ParisFashionWeek, but if they did, we know what we'd be wearing... 📷: Talma & Co postcard featuring actress Margaret Anglin
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Have you heard of Australia's tallest mountain? Heard Island is dominated by Big Ben, an active volcano that's over 2.7km tall. Book your free ticket to the 'Antarctica' exhibition: nma.gov.au/antarctica
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This 1959 archival footage is just one example of how the island has been an important site for weather-related research for more than 60 years. 📷: AAD Book your free ticket to the 'Antarctica' exhibition: nma.gov.au/antarctica
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This painting portrays legendary Harold Lasseter in the Central Australian Gold Exploration expedition in 1930. Painting – 'Camels walking across a desert' by Robert Lasseter
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This week's puzzle has a tidy solution! Can you figure it out? If you recognise this #MysteryObject, let us know in the comments.
Image of a very thin piece of metal, bend in half, with part of it twisted in the middle, forming a sort of W shape. Overlay text reads 'Can you guess this week's mystery object?'

ALT Image of a very thin piece of metal, bend in half, with part of it twisted in the middle, forming a sort of W shape. Overlay text reads 'Can you guess this week's mystery object?'

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Answer: This is an open-ended wire hair pin!
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If you think your commute to work is annoying, try being an expeditioner on Macquarie Island in 1959 👀 📷: AAD Book your free ticket to the 'Antarctica' exhibition: nma.gov.au/antarctica
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This basket, woven from meadowgrass and flax, was created by Noongar woman Sharyn Egan. Egan has been exploring fibre art and weaving as a medium for many years, producing sculptures using Indigenous fibres with a contemporary perspective.
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Have you ever seen or heard of a mourning ring? 💍 In the 1700s and 1800s, mourning jewellery was created to commemorate relatives and friends who had died. This gold ring commemorates the death of Captain John Gore (1733-1790).
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Join Alice at the Museum for a powerful evening of music and conversation about two very different expeditions to Antarctica! Thursday September 24, 6pm Visit: nma.gov.au/antarctica/events…
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Today, curator Dr Jono Lineen is showing off a piece of fossilised ‘Glossopteris’ tree trunk, from a time when Australia and Antarctica were part of the same continent. See it at the 'Antarctica' exhibition! Book now: nma.gov.au/antarctica
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In 1836, Light was instructed to find a location for a new settlement in South Australia. This writing box was used for his maps and sketches. 📷: 1) Colonel William Light’s writing box and accessories: 2) Colonel William Light, lithograph collection
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Don't sweat it if you can't guess this week's #MysteryObject 😅 It's a tricky one. If you think you have its measure, let us know in the comments 👇 Answer coming Monday.
Image of a grey metal box. It has a handle on top and a window in the front, revealing a roll of paper. On the outside of the box, a long metal cylinder protrudes from the right side, extending above the box. Overlay text reads: 'Can you guess this week's mystery object?'

ALT Image of a grey metal box. It has a handle on top and a window in the front, revealing a roll of paper. On the outside of the box, a long metal cylinder protrudes from the right side, extending above the box. Overlay text reads: 'Can you guess this week's mystery object?'

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Answer: This is a hygrograph to measure long term humidity levels!
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In 1947, ANARE's first research expedition to Heard Island left our shores and the families of expeditioners gathered to see them off. Discover more at our free 'Antarctica' exhibition: nma.gov.au/antarctica 📷: AAD
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It's one of American TV's biggest days of the year! Coincidentally, this Wednesday will mark 70 years since television was introduced to Australia. 📷: HSV 7 Melbourne, 1958. NAA 7495308 Learn more: nma.gov.au/defining-moments/…
Cropped black and white photograph of installation technician Hank Silverberg standing behind television camera. The partially obscured text on the camera indicates that the image was taken at HSV 7 studio in Melbourne. Overlay text reads 'Celebrating 70 years of Australian Television!'

ALT Cropped black and white photograph of installation technician Hank Silverberg standing behind television camera. The partially obscured text on the camera indicates that the image was taken at HSV 7 studio in Melbourne. Overlay text reads 'Celebrating 70 years of Australian Television!'
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Here is your chance to come face to face with the Terracotta Warriors in Canberra. 🎟️: Tickets on sale now Discover more at nma.gov.au/terracotta-warrio…
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2,000 years ago, an emperor created an army to serve for eternity. Are you ready to face the warriors? 🎟️: Tickets on sale from 12 September Discover more at nma.gov.au/terracotta-warrio…
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