The Great Melbourne Telescope by Richard Gillespie
I'm not sure if there is a previous thread on this book. I can highly recommend it. It is well researched and very well written. A fascinating story of a unique and special telescope.
Many years ago in the mid nineties I had the pleasure of seeing the telescope at Mt Stromlo. I was saddened when the fires destroyed it in 2003. It is exciting to know it is being restored and re-instated in it's original location in Melbourne. I look forward to seeing it again one day.
Hi Andy,
I've been following the restoration project (Phoenix) for some time. It is an excellent undertaking, albeit, very expensive.
Thanks for this link.
I too remember the scope well. The scope was modified quite a bit in use and some of the modifications are now decorating the grounds at Mt Stromlo.
I got so see (and smell) the burnt out remains of this once great telescope and found the experience actually very moving. I would have liked to have seen it unrestored and re-opened to the public I situ!
Is that too outrageous? It's certainty too late!
What will be interesting is the final configuration they choose. It has been chopped and changed so much since its original Grubb days. I wonder what ever happened to the original mirror (IIRC the one that melted was relatively recent).
I understand one of the two original speculum mirrors is still around. The intention for the future telescope restoration will be with a more modern glass mirror.
I understand that a small component of this telescope is doing duty in a currently used reflector which does outreach in the ACT..... Or so I am told .......
Matt Smith did a very short lived podcast, Tempus, and one episode was on this telescope. Well worth a listen - only 20 minutes or so. You can find it on iTunes, and probably elsewhere.
I understand that a small component of this telescope is doing duty in a currently used reflector which does outreach in the ACT..... Or so I am told .......
Hi Matt,
If that component is from the original version of the telescope, the restoration team would be very interested to find out more about it, as many of those original parts are being recreated from old photographs only.
Cheers,
Stefan
Hi Matt,
If that component is from the original version of the telescope, the restoration team would be very interested to find out more about it, as many of those original parts are being recreated from old photographs only.
Cheers,
Stefan
It is from the discarded later additions. Definitely not an original component. All the original components that survived the fire were gathered up and sent to Melbourne.
I visited Stromlo a couple of days ago and looked in on the scope. Made the throat close up to see it in that state I can tell you. It must be restored no matter what.
I visited Stromlo a couple of days ago and looked in on the scope. Made the throat close up to see it in that state I can tell you. It must be restored no matter what.
Yes indeed, the empty dome base and burnt remnants are a sad sight. The later modification truss assembly is resting on the lawn area on the left opposite the domes. I visited the GMT between 75 and 90 quite a few times and then after fires ......
I had many photos of the scopes unfortunately they were among boxes 'lost' by the removalists when we went to Qld.
Has anyone actually asked WHO from Canberra was the senior fire officer in charge at Mt Stromlo? and how did he insist that the fire was fought?
The ear to the ground via NSW RFS makes interesting hearing about what happened up there.
I visited Stromlo a couple of days ago and looked in on the scope. Made the throat close up to see it in that state I can tell you. It must be restored no matter what.
Yes, we were up there early this year for a few days and visited Stromlo on our way out to a happier visit to Siding Spring. The way the light was falling on it made it take a few seconds to adjust and start to understand what was there. Very sad.
I am not sure that it should be restored actually, it is quite moving as it is, though I am sure 85% of visitors just look in and see mangled metal.
