The overall aim of the planned astronomical programme at Hobart (University of Tasmania) is to obtain stellar and planetary spectra in the ultra-violet, visible, and infrared regions of the spectrum. The major instruments to be used are a 16-inch telescope, a 40-inch telescope, and a solar spectrograph. Included in the project is a programme of laboratory studies, aimed at making quantitative comparisons of several of the most efficient methods for detecting and recording spectra from astronomical objects with low levels of flux. In addition, several new methods will be investigated. These will be referred to later in this paper.