Mount Stromlo Observatory

Mount Stromlo Observatory is the headquarters of the ANU Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics, a world-respected community of researchers exploring the heavens.

The top picture here is of the Satellite Laser Ranging Observatory and in the bottom picture you can see the visitors centre with the 74" dome behind it and the Reynold's Telescope dome to the right.

The Mount Stromlo Observatory was destroyed in the 2003 bushfire and some of you may be interested to read the link.

https://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/act/2003-canberra-bushfires-redefined-the-future-for-mount-stromlo-observatory-20170701-gx2qwt.html

I've filled in the gaps now and I will begin to catch up with your photos over the next couple of days. I won't be able to comment on all the photos I have missed but will check them out

[Diana]

How awful Babs, these bushfires are so horrific! A great diptych.

[Beryl Lloyd]

A lovely diptych to illustrate this beautiful observatory site !

[Peter]

Lovely images of this wonderful observatory that like the phoenix has risen from the ashes, looks like there in little chance of light pollution on this site, possibly could have be rename the Phoenix Observatory, lol:)

[Chris K]

love the distant blue hills

[Lou Ann]

Thank you for sharing the link. Your photos are wonderful, this is a world famous observatory. So thankful it was reimagined when it was built.

[Angela]

An interesting building

[carol white]

A super diptych

[gloria jones]

Great images

[sarah]

Very interesting

[Taffy]

Fascinating design! The orbs are quite striking.

[Carole Sandford]

Interesting trio!

[Helen Jane]

such a shame about the fire. The observatories have a splendid setting.

[Jane Pittenger]

I’d love to see them and learn from them. Chilling re the bush fires

[Lois]

Great images and link

[Marnie]

I assume it's all been rebuilt Babs? Or are these old images? I knew about the loss in those fires but never heard anything more. I remember too the poor PhD student who lost all of her work and almost completed thesis and all copies thereof in those fires!

[Babs]

@golftragic Oh dear the poor student. This image is as the observatory is now after rebuilding. I have posted a photo today of the ruin of the Oddie Telescope after the fire just for you to show the devastation.
https://365project.org/onewing/365/2019-02-01

Some of the ruins are still on site, like the Oddie, well the ones that aren't dangerous to be able to walk around. Most of them had to be demolished. Some buildings are being reconstructed and I will post a photo tomorrow of the Director's Residence as a ruin and as it is now.

[Babs]

@ludwigsdiana @beryl @cruiser @louannwarren @angelar @carolmw @seattlite @samae @taffy @carole_sandford @helenhall @jgpittenger @loweygrace Thanks. It is so nice to be able to see it now. We were in Canberra shortly after the 2003 bushfire and the devastation was horrendous.

[Sheralee S]

I'll bet it's bigger and better than previous. Still a shame about the fire.

[Henri Russell]

I like both views.

[Sue Cooper]

Lovely images. It must be a fascinating place to visit.

[Kathy A]

Another interesting place to visit. It looks like you had a good few days in Canberra

[Valerie Chesney]

Wonderful shots Babs & history, it's a few years since we have been there...

[haskar]

Lovely diptych.

[Mandy]

Another great shot. I have really enjoyed reading about the places you visited.

[Ann H. LeFevre]

This place looks awesome. I have always been fascinated by astronomy but could never study it. Too much math for me! Nice collage!

[Nicole Campbell]

I remember the day of the bushfire like it was yesterday, it was an awful day

[Babs]

@nicolecampbell We were in Canberra the year after the fire and it was horrendous to see Mt Stromlo then and also the scorched earth with trees absolutely flattened after the firestorm.