74-inch reflector, Mt Stromlo, Australia

THE MOUNT STROMLO FIRES:

A MAJOR HERITAGE LOSS FOR AUSTRALIAN ASTRONOMY

On 2003 January 18 a fire-storm swept through part of Canberra, the Australian capital, destroying ~400 homes and severely damaging many more, claiming four lives (with several people still critically ill in hospital), and largely destroying Mount Stromlo Observatory (MSO).

From a history of astronomy perspective this is a major catastrophe, as the following historically-significant telescopes were lost:

74-in (Grubb-Parsons) Reflector Ref: www.europa.com/~telscope/Orchiston-MountStromlo.doc

For an extensive historical galley about the telescope look here.

George Oliver with the 74 inch Mt Stromlo mirror