Collection search
NMA Collections Search - object record
Piece of clear optical glass (flint), a relic from the 2003 bush fire that destroyed the Mount Stromlo Observatory
Object type
Optical lenses
Object number
2004.0002.0004
Description
Piece of clear optical glass (flint), a relic from Mount Stromlo Observatory. The glass is milky on both sides and has pieces of charcoal and wire fused into it.
Collection name
Mount Stromlo Observatory collection
The Mount Stromlo Observatory Collection consists of one molten telescope mirror; one molten optical glass (flint); one burnt auto collimator from late 1950s (above); one yellow pyrex mirror blank; one teacup with molten aluminium roof attached (above).
In early January, fires were started by lightening in Namagi National Park in the ACT. Efforts to contain the fires were unsuccessful and several fires combined on 18 January and swept into western Canberra over Mount Stromlo. In the course of that day, four lives were lost and almost five hundred homes destroyed. For the MSO the fires were devastating. All five of the Observatory's telescopes were lost as well as the 1924 heritage building, accommodating the administration staff. Only the Visitor Centre, and the Wooley and Duffield buildings (housing the academic staff and computing resources) were spared. The loss of the observatory was not only a loss to Australia's scientific community, but to the international scientific community also.
Maker
Unknown
18/01/2003
Date that it was reduced to its current derelict state by a bushfire
User
Mount Stromlo Observatory
User
Australian National University
Associated organisation
ACT Fire Brigade
Place used
Mount Stromlo, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Date of event
18/01/2003
Canberra bush fires
Materials
Glass, Charcoal, Wire - non specific
Dimensions
Length: 250mm
Width: 80mm
Height: 160mm