Mount Stromlo Observatory destroyed by fires

From: Amara Graps (amara@amara.com)
Date: Tue Jan 21 2003 - 01:15:21 MST


Some of you may not be aware that the The Mount Stromlo Observatory
near Canberra was destroyed by bushfires last weekend. Attached is
some news about it, and some links.

Amara Graps

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Istituto di Fisica delle Spazio Interplanetario (IFSI)
Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Roma, ITALIA
Amara.Graps@ifsi.rm.cnr.it

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http://www.anu.edu.au/fires/

http://www.anu.edu.au/fires/media.php

THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION 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 [Mt Stromlo Admin Building]
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."



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