Mount Stromlo Observatory destroyed by fire. (1)

In a major setback for Australian astronomy, the historic Mount Stromlo observatory has been almost totally destroyed in the bushfires surrounding the Australian capital Canberra. These fires have so far claimed 3 lives and destroyed over 400 homes.

Among the telescopes destroyed are the Oddie 9" refractor, the 50" Melbourne telescope, the 26" Yale-Columbia refractor, and several others. The 76" was damaged but may be repairable. Video of the disaster can be found at this link:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2003/01/19/video/20030119pm_fires.ram

Footage of the observatory is about midway through.

I have visited this observatory several times and it was a wonderful place with considerable history. It has been a sad loss to Australian astronomy.

Regards,

Maurice

Ps, I have posted a press release from the ANU in a second message.

Here is the press release from the ANU.

MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION
THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
CANBERRA ACT 0200 AUSTRALIA
TELEPHONE: +61 2 6125 5001
FACSIMILE: +61 2 6125 8255
URL: www.anu.edu.au/mac/media

Sunday, 19 January 2003

MOUNT STROMLO OBSERVATORY DESTROYED BY FIRE

The Australian National University expresses concern and
sympathy to those who have lost so much in the Canberra
fires.

In particular, our thoughts are with the families of those
that died in the fires.

The Mount Stromlo Observatory has been largely destroyed by
the bushfires which have ravaged Canberra.

"We are thankful that no staff or students were injured in
the Mount Stromlo fire." ANU Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian
Chubb said today.

The Observatory, operated by the ANU Research School of
Astronomy and Astrophysics, is one of Australia's leading
centres of Astronomical research. The fires destroyed four
telescopes, the equipment workshop, eight houses which had
been occupied by staff and an administration building.
Preliminary estimates have valued the losses at more than
$20 million.

Two office buildings and the visitors centre were spared --
importantly, preserving most of the computer data
generated on site in recent years.

Professor Chubb emphasised that the work of the Research
School would continue.

"The loss of Mount Stromlo is a devastating blow to
Australian research and in particular to the 60 staff and
20 students who made it their workplace.

"To those staff who also lost homes on Mount Stromlo, these
fires have delivered a double blow.

"It is vital to emphasise that the work of the Research
School of Astronomy and Astrophysics will continue, however.
The University has adequate workshop and laboratory
facilities to accommodate the valuable equipment contracts
which are being fulfilled by the school -- including the
$6.3 million contract to build a sharp-eyed imager for the
Gemini South Telescope in Chile.

"Other research projects have been undeniably set back by
this loss, although we are still evaluating the full extent
of the damage.

"Plans are already being put in place to rebuild at Mount
Stromlo and restore the Research School to its full
capacity.

"The fires have been a devastating blow to Canberra and
the ANU is committed to helping rebuild the lives of those
affected."

The Director of the Research School, Professor Penny
Sackett, said, "Our losses are presently overwhelming and
the scene of Mount Stromlo is one of devastation, but
we have retained our most valuable asset, our staff, 100
per cent intact and we are extremely grateful for their
safety."

"We have also saved our computer database and many of us
will be back at work tomorrow."

It turns out that the 76" is also gone. None of the scopes have survived. For the 50", it has been described as "there is not enough glass left from the mirror to make a coffee table".

When you think of the size of such a full-thickness mirror, it shows just how hot the fire must have been.

Maurice