While in recently Canberra, I took a drive up to Mt Stromlo.
I suspect the admin centre is new, yet the interior of the domes remain burnt-out shells.
I had hoped for a visitor centre, but, no, just a coffee shop....
I could not help but think of "Yes Minister" and the episode about the hospital with, no doctors, nurses or patients but the bureaucrats were gainfully employed "administering" said facility. (patients "got in the way")
Is there another equivalent, if so then in all probability it will not be funded to be repaired or replaced, unless of course there is sufficient public and media outcry.
I was at ANU in the 70's and 80's... Mt Stromlo had three roles. It is fair to say that even 30 years ago little in the way of serious professional observations were made at Stromlo, but it was important nevertheless.
Firstly, it's primary role was as a teaching facility (the Astronomy department) within the postgraduate school (the Institute of Advanced Studies, as it was then called) for those aiming to to do a PhD in astronomy. This means a facility which is reasonably representative of a modern facility to give them exposure to the practical aspects of astronomy - bear in mind that while many of the PhD students are obviously bright, many had NEVER actually used a telescope before arriving at Stromlo. Even fewer had the foggiest idea about how to use a plate camera, a photometer or a CCD and teaching these basics was par for the course.
Secondly, from an observational perspective it was basically a test bed for telescopes and equipment built/developed by the RSPhys laboratory workshops. Once the equipment was sorted out at Stromlo it would subsequently be sent to Siding Spring for serious use. FWIW the 50" at Stromlo was equipped with a backend identical to the AAO 150" to facilitate this testing.
Thirdly, it was the home of the Research School of Astronomy. Since the fire this has been relocated within the campus, regrettably.
And yes, even in 1975 Canberra's expansion was obvious and implied the end of Stromlo was imminent even as a teaching facility. Everything has a use-by date. Stromlo served its purpose admirably, but it was high time to move on even before the fire, which effectively forced that decision.
I can't remember where I read it but I do remember reading an article that said Mt. Stromlo will NOT be rebuilt as light pollution is starting to encroach into it's neighbourhood making it a pointless exercise.
I have read that Dr Tim Wetherell has rebuilt the Oddie refractor with an istar lens. The intention is to put it back on the mount which made it through the fire ! I for one will go up and look when its back together as I got to use the original Oddie in 1978, as a year 11 student doing astronomy units. Very sad when the whole thing went up in smoke It was a beautiful spot, especially for a refractorholic like me. Matt
I have read that Dr Tim Wetherell has rebuilt the Oddie refractor with an istar lens. The intention is to put it back on the mount which made it through the fire ! I for one will go up and look when its back together as I got to use the original Oddie in 1978, as a year 11 student doing astronomy units. Very sad when the whole thing went up in smoke It was a beautiful spot, especially for a refractorholic like me. Matt
It's OK Chris, I googled it and went in that way, thanks
James Oddie is a bit of a legend around here.
He built the Ballarat Observatory, owned a shop just just down the road here, and his Family is still here in Snake Valley.
His Grandson Neville is a friend of mine and fellow CFA member.
Another Oddie Refractor is still housed and in use at the Ballarat Observatory.
I was trying to get information about James Oddie from Neville one day, but his comment was, "oh yeah, I think Grandpa had something to do with a telescope or something, I don't know, nor do I really care"
Thanks for posting Chris.
I remember the tube and the mount being grey, but white looks even better.
