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Tag: Astronomy

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Mount Stromlo Observatory Canberra

Laser range finding facility

Mount Stromlo Observatory Canberra

Devastated by a severe bushfire in 2003, the Mount Stromlo Observatory no longer undertakes active astronomical observations. Instead, it has become the headquarters of the ANU (Australian National University) Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics. Despite the destruction caused by the bushfire, the ruins of the observatory domes are worth visiting.

History

The first telescope installed at Mount Stromlo was the 9-inch Oddie Telescope (so-called because it was gifted to the Commonwealth by James Oddie, a wealthy Victorian businessman and philanthropist.). Following the Oddie’s findings that this was a suitable location for an observatory, the Commonwealth Solar Observatory was established in 1924. Up until the Second World War, its primary focus was solar and atmospheric physics.

During the Second World War, the observatories’ workshops manufactured gun sights and other optical equipment.

Post war, the observatory commenced the study of stellar and galactic astronomy. Renamed The Commonwealth Observatory it continued these studies until 2003.

2003 Bushfire

On 18 January 2003, the devastating Canberra firestorm hit Mount Stromlo (which was surrounded by a plantation pine forest), destroying five telescopes, workshops, seven homes, and the heritage-listed administration building. The only telescope to escape the fires was the 1886 15-centimetre Farnham telescope.

The fire was so intense it melted the optical glass of some telescopes. It was decided that the observation domes and telescopes would not be rebuilt and all observations are now undertaken at the Siding Springs Observatory. However, the workshops were replaced and now produce state of the art astronomical instrumentation.

Getting There

Driving to Mount Stromlo takes around 20 minutes from Canberra, with a carpark located next to one of the burnt-out domes. The last section of road is two-lane but narrow and winding. Cyclists use this section so be careful if you need to pass them on either the uphill or downhill section.

What to See

Unfortunately, both the Visitor Centre and Cafe were closed during our visit (January 2024). However a self-guided Heritage Trail loops through the area, enabling you to see experience the area. Walking the trail takes you past all of the domes, several of which are accessible. Information boards placed throughout the observatories’ ground detail the history of the area and the devastation of the 2003 fires.

The damaged caused to the area is very sad, considering the amount of scientific work that was undertaken here. Preserving the ruins however was a great idea, as you still get a feel for what was achieved as well as the loss.

Small outreach telescopes are available for hire with a private star gazing session. Public star gazing is available from April to September each year.

Dome of the 74 inch reflector Mount Stromlo Observatory
Dome of the 74 inch reflector
Laser range finding facility Mount Stromlo Observatory
Laser range finding facility
Outreach telescopes used for public outreach and education including public stargazing nights
Outreach telescopes used for public outreach and education including public stargazing nights
The repaired dome of the Reynolds Telescope 30"
The repaired dome of the Reynolds Telescope 30″
Commonwealth Solar Observatory and observation dome Mount Stromlo Observatory
Commonwealth Solar Observatory and observation dome
Ruins of the 50" Great Melbourne Telescope
Ruins of the 50″ Great Melbourne Telescope
Inside the ruins of the Yale Colombia Telescope
Inside the ruins of the Yale Colombia Telescope
Looking out of the window in the Yale Colombia Telescope
Looking out of the window in the Yale Colombia Telescope
Inside the ruins of the Yale Colombia Telescope
Inside the ruins of the Yale Colombia Telescope
Storm Trooper mural at Mount Stromlo
Storm Trooper mural at Mount Stromlo
Man on the Moon sculpture
Man on the Moon sculpture

What Did We Think?

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Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex

Deep Space Stations 43 and 46

Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex

Located a 40-minute drive from the centre of Canberra, ACT Australia, the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex (CDSCC) is an important part of NASA’s tracking network. Construction at the site in the Tidbinbilla Valley commenced in June 1963 and operations started in December 1964. Chosen due to it’s proximity to Canberra Tidbinbilla’s surrounding valley walls also shield it from stray radio signals.

Since it’s early beginnings, CDSCC has been integral to the success of the moon landings and space probes sent to the outer planets. As these probes travelled further from Earth, antennae have been upgraded and additional ones of greater diameter and therefore able to receive weaker signals added.

How to Get There

Driving is the only real option to get here, as there is no public transport. The complex has a large car park outside the front gate.

What to See

During our visit (February 2024) the visitor centre was closed so access into the site was unavailable. Despite this, the information board around the car park gave a great history of the CDSCC. Relocated near the entrance, several decommissioned tracking dishes are impressive because of their size. These dished are visible from the access road as you drive in.

Deep Space Station 43 (DSS-43)
Deep Space Station 43 (DSS-43)
Deep Space Station 46 (DSS-46) Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex
Deep Space Station 46 (DSS-46)
Information Boards
Information Boards
Deep Space Stations 43 and 46 Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex
Deep Space Stations 43 and 46

What Did We Think?

The setting of the huge dishes in the Australian bush is impressive and a great sight to see. Had the Visitor Centre been open the visit would have been better, but was interesting and education nonetheless. A great place to drop into, especially if you have visited Mount Stromlo or are on your way to the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve.

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Narrabri Paul Wild Observatory

Antenna No. 2

Narrabri Paul Wild Observatory

Operated by the CSIRO and located 25 km west of Narrabri in north-west New South Wales, the Paul Wild Observatory is an array of six 22 metre antennas used for radio astronomy. This was an unexpected highlight of our trip to the north-west, because we were not aware it existed until we arrived in Narrabri.

Visitors must put mobile phones into flight mode and switch off Bluetooth devices because the can overwhelm the weak signal the telescopes are detecting.

The Visitor Centre

This modern visitors’ centre has excellent displays showing the layout of the radio telescopes and information boards. These displays are interesting because they explain how the array works.

  • One of the Information Boards at the Visitors' Centre
    One of the Information Boards at the Visitors’ Centre
  • Rest Area Inside the Visitor's Centre
    Rest Area Inside the Visitor’s Centre

The Antennas

Five of the six telescopes run on a rail track outside the centre, so you should always be able to see them. The sixth one is too far away to see. During our visit five were close, so we were able to photographs them all at once. Antenna number 2 was sitting right next to the car park, so we were able to see it in detail.

  • Antenna No. 2 Narrabri Paul Wild Observatory
    Antenna No. 2
  • Five Antennas Narrabri Paul Wild Observatory
    Five Antennas

Paul Wild Memorial

A sundial memorial to Paul Wild sits near the car park, as a tribute to his career in radio astronomy.

Dr John Paul Wild was a British-born Australian scientist. Following service in World War II as a radar officer in the Royal Navy, he became a radio astronomer in Australia for the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, the fore-runner of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). In the 1950s and 1960s he made discoveries based on radio observations of the Sun. During the late 1960s and early 1970s his team built and operated the world’s first solar radio-spectrographs and subsequently the Culgoora radio-heliograph which is now named after him.

In 1972 Paul Wild invented Interscan, a standard microwave landing system. From 1978 to 1985 he was chairman of the CSIRO, during which time he expanded the organisation’s scope and directed its restructuring. He retired from the CSIRO in 1986 to lead the Very Fast Train Joint Venture, a private sector project that sought to build a high-speed railway between Melbourne and Sydney. Lack of support from government brought it to an end in 1991. In his later years he worked on gravitational theory.

Paul Wild Memorial Narrabri Paul Wild Observatory
Paul Wild Memorial

Outside Displays

Several old telescopes are on display, including one of the heliograph antennas, which you will see at the entrance.

  • Old Antenna at the Entrance
    Old Heliograph Antenna at the Entrance
  • Old Antenna on Display at the Visitors' Centre
    Old Antenna on Display at the Visitors’ Centre

What Did We Think?

Not only do you see the huge antennas up close, but it is a fun learning experience on how radio astronomy works. A great place to visit if you are in the area.