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Astronomy Picture of the Day 11-03-04
NASA ^ | 11-03-04 | Robert Nemiroff and Jerry Bonnell

Posted on 11/03/2004 3:36:56 AM PST by petuniasevan

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On a different subject.... 4 MORE YEARS!


Mt Stromlo opens to public
as re-build begins

AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
Posted: November 1, 2004

   


Situated 6 miles west of Canberra, Australia, Mount Stromlo's historic observatory was gutted by ferocious bushfires on January 18th, 2003. This image from 21 months ago shows the extent of the damage to one of the major domes.

Image credit: ANU / Mt Stromlo


   
A new page is set to be written in Australian scientific history with the establishment of new buildings at Mt Stromlo Observatory.

Staff at the ANU Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics are celebrating not just the commencement of the $36 million first stage of the historic observatory's redevelopment; but also the announcement that the site re-opened to the public on Saturday, 30th October 2004, with self-guided tours of the site and a night sky viewing program.

"After getting an average of 70,000 visitors per year and conducting some of the world's leading astronomical research from Mt Stromlo, the fires of January 2003 were a huge blow not just for our staff, but for the global astronomical community," the Research School's Director, Professor Penny Sackett, said.

"Now, 21 months after the fire, it is really exciting to commence construction of the first stage of the new Stromlo. This stage will involve the construction of an Advanced Instrumentation Technology Centre, the rebuild of a destroyed multi-million dollar optical instrument and the construction of a new telescope. Plans for the second stage of redevelopment are already well advanced.

"A huge volume of work has preceded this moment. Plans for each building have had to comply with heritage considerations and with much data about the history of the site lost in the fires, that process has taken quite a lot of time.

"We are also hopeful that insurance issues will be settled soon, enabling us to plan for the full redevelopment of the Observatory.

"It is vital to recognise that despite the fires and subsequent delays in reconstruction, Mt Stromlo has continued to be a major international centre for astronomical research. Our staff have used telescopes at the ANU Siding Spring Observatory near Coonabarabran and other telescopes around the world for their research and continue to make some of the most exciting discoveries in astronomy and astrophysics."

The 2003 fires destroyed a superbly-equipped workshop complex, seven houses, five telescopes and a historic administration building. Demolition of parts of several buildings was allowed to commence in August after permission was granted by the Department of Environment and Heritage and the National Capital Authority, pending final approval of the redevelopment plan. The demolition process has now made the site safe for public access.

"It is fantastic to once more be able to welcome the public back to Mt Stromlo. We weren't able to make the site safe for public visits until demolition and reconstruction plans were approved. The commencement of our night viewing program on Saturday marks an important milestone in our recovery, allowing the public to experience some of the same excitement about the Universe that we feel in our daily work at the Observatory."

Funding for the redevelopment will come from a Federal Government grant, donations and partial payments from insurance companies. Money donated by the public will be used to fund domes that will house small telescopes for public viewing of the night sky, one of which is a historic telescope salvaged from the heritage Commonwealth Solar Observatory building.

The key ingredients of the first stage of redevelopment are:

Construction of Stage Two will commence as further insurance money is received in compensation for the fires. ANU is still in active discussions with three insurers over full payment for damage of Mt Stromlo.

Mt Stromlo will be open to the public every Wednesday to Sunday between 10am-5pm. Saturday night sky viewing (Saturday Stargazing) commenced on Saturday, 30th October.

1 posted on 11/03/2004 3:36:56 AM PST by petuniasevan
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To: MozartLover; Joan912; NovemberCharlie; snowfox; Dawgsquat; Vigilantcitizen; theDentist; ...

YES! You too can be added to the APOD PING list! Just ask!

2 posted on 11/03/2004 3:37:46 AM PST by petuniasevan (Judging from the taste, I'd say the other one is shinola.)
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To: petuniasevan

Is that a Q-Tip for Kerry's ringing ears ? ....


3 posted on 11/03/2004 3:42:23 AM PST by exmoor
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To: exmoor

Don't know about that, but the Moon is looking like prime real estate for him and his followers right now.


Hehehe...


4 posted on 11/03/2004 3:46:00 AM PST by petuniasevan (Judging from the taste, I'd say the other one is shinola.)
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To: petuniasevan

LOL


5 posted on 11/03/2004 3:49:09 AM PST by exmoor
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To: petuniasevan

I like the time lapse picture. Thanks!


6 posted on 11/03/2004 6:15:32 AM PST by tuliptree76
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To: petuniasevan

Good morning everyone!
Praise the Lord!

7 posted on 11/03/2004 6:53:10 AM PST by Soaring Feather (~Poetry is my forte.~)
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To: petuniasevan
Nice image.
Thanks for the ping.
8 posted on 11/03/2004 1:17:47 PM PST by sistergoldenhair
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To: petuniasevan
Here's an 'astronomy' pic from 11/7/2004:
9 posted on 11/07/2004 10:16:47 PM PST by BenLurkin
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To: petuniasevan

Missing my APOD ping...are you ok?


10 posted on 11/16/2004 9:28:49 PM PST by trussell (Unemployed intellectual...will act like a pompous ass for food!!)
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To: trussell; petuniasevan

Yes, it has been a while. tunia, you ok?


11 posted on 11/23/2004 3:58:33 AM PST by WSGilcrest
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To: petuniasevan

My arms can't reach you so I asked Jesus to deliver this hug!!
12 posted on 11/27/2004 8:56:27 AM PST by trussell (Unemployed intellectual...will act like a pompous ass for food!!)
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To: petuniasevan


Financial Donations You can help those affected by the floods and countless other crises around the world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance, and other support to those in need. Donate online or call toll free 1-800-HELP NOW (1-800-257-7575 for Spanish speakers) or you can mail in your gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

To Donate Online



AmeriCares is preparing emergency relief flights that will focus on bringing medicines and medical supplies, water purification treatments and other types of assistance to the affected areas. Reports indicate that more than 50,000 people have been killed by powerful tsunamis caused by a 9.0 earthquake near Sumatra. Indonesia, Sri Lanka and India have the greatest number of casualties, and the death toll is expected to grow even higher.

Your donation is essential and will be applied to relief efforts in this crisis

To Donate Online





Emergency: Earthquake in South Asia December 27, 2004 In response to the earthquake and tsunamis that have devastated parts of South Asia over the past weekend, Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) is preparing to provide emergency assistance to people affected by the disaster. MSF is readying a full charter of relief supplies for the area of Indonesia closest to the epicentre of the earthquake.

In addition, MSF medical teams are on the ground in Sri Lanka, Thailand, India, Malaysia, Bangladesh, and Myanmar assessing emergency needs and offering assistance. MSF field teams in all countries where MSF is present, including Somalia and Kenya, are also investigating damage from the disaster.

To Donate Online
13 posted on 12/28/2004 3:35:55 PM PST by Grzegorz 246
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To: WSGilcrest

Petunia is ok. I just went to see her. (She's my sister.) She just got to busy with work and other things. I'm sure she'll return some time.


14 posted on 01/13/2005 1:09:27 PM PST by graycamel
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To: trussell

Petunia is ok. I just went to see her. (She's my sister.) She just got to busy with work and other things. I'm sure she'll return some time.


15 posted on 01/13/2005 1:09:46 PM PST by graycamel
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To: petuniasevan

Say, did I fall off your ping list? Is it something I said?


16 posted on 01/13/2005 1:10:56 PM PST by 1rudeboy
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To: graycamel

I think of her daily! Thank you for letting me know she is ok...

She did tell me of the other situation. Please tell her I am still praying!

Blessings
Tracy


17 posted on 01/13/2005 1:11:35 PM PST by trussell (I Never Frown, even when I am sad, because I never know who is falling in love with my Smile!!!)
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To: 1rudeboy

This thread is the last one that was done for the APOD ping. See the post just above your own for an answer to your question.

:)
Tracy


18 posted on 01/13/2005 1:14:14 PM PST by trussell (I Never Frown, even when I am sad, because I never know who is falling in love with my Smile!!!)
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To: trussell; graycamel

Thank you for the updates..I'm glad she's okay..


19 posted on 01/20/2005 2:17:52 PM PST by Freedom2specul8 (Please pray for our troops.... http://anyservicemember.navy.mil/)
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To: petuniasevan

I'd like back on your list now, thanks.


20 posted on 01/26/2005 5:15:58 PM PST by farmfriend ( Congratulations. You are everything we've come to expect from years of government training.)
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