Posts Made By: Maurice Clark

$48.00 is cheap! I was told by one professional astronomer (no names) that they have people coming up all the time to their viewing sessions wanting to view "their" stars. One of them proudly mentioned that they had paid over $3000 to have a naked eye star named after them!!!!!!! It turned out to be one of the stars in Leo, from memory it was eta. I guess that makes all of our atlases and software inaccurate!!!!!!!!

By the way, the observatory was also threatened with legal action even though they were not in the USA. They folded under the threat, and now charge people a VERY large sum to come to special observing sessions to view "their" stars!

Unfortunately this scam will continue world-wide until someone manages to sue the company.

Much more I would like to say, however I do not want to risk having AM sued! :-(

Cheers,

Maurice

Here is the press release from the ANU.

MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION
THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
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 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."

It turns out that the 76" is also gone. None of the scopes have survived. For the 50", it has been described as "there is not enough glass left from the mirror to make a coffee table".

When you think of the size of such a full-thickness mirror, it shows just how hot the fire must have been.

Maurice

Hi Kim,

I do not know the observing guides you mention, but the most popular observing guide for the southern hemisphere that I know of is Hartung's "Astronomical Objects for Southern Telescopes" second edition, revised by David Malin and David Frew.

Cheers,

Maurice

Of course..... How do you think we get the time to log on to AstroMart!!!????? :^)

Maurice

No!.... it just shows what the observing weather has been like lately!! :-(

Maurice

Who's politics? US or the world??? :-)

Maurice

The problem with politics..... it depends on which country you are from!

Couldn't resist that one! :-)

Maurice

The Keyhole nebula???? Maybe I am showing my southern hemisphere bias, but doesn't that refer to NGC 3372?

Nice image though.

Maurice

This image is the same negative, but scanned with the ICE routine enabled. I am astouned at the difference! I have no idea how the process works, but it does a great job. Now with Andrew's method of removing trails and with this, I need it to stay cloudy for a while longer! :^)

Thankfully we have a 2 week break coming up next week!

Maurice

PS The photo is a 5 minute exposure using Fuji Super HG II 400 film and a 50mm f/2 lens. That was one amazing comet!!!