New telescope for Mt Stromlo centenary

Chief Minister Gallagher unveiled the Oddie II telescope after it arrived at the centenary celebrations on a vintage truck.

“The centenary of Mt Stromlo Observatory is a special event, recognising 100 years of solar observation and the role this site has played in Canberra,” she said.

The Oddie telescope first looked to the skies in September 1911 after the Commonwealth was persuaded to build an observatory in Canberra. The telescope was named after James Oddie of Ballarat, who donated the nine-inch refracting telescope.

Mt Stromlo was established as the Australian site for solar observing.

“The development of Mt Stromlo strongly reflects that of the Canberra region,” the Chief Minister said. “Iconic names such as Charles Weston, John Smith Murdoch and Charles Scrivener, so integral to Canberra’s early growth, are also part of Mt Stromlo’s history. Charles Weston established the Observatory’s park-like setting in the early years of its development to align with Griffin’s ‘garden city’ theme.”

“The observatory was devastated in 2003 when the original telescope was destroyed by the bushfires that tore through this area. This replica will remind us of this important part of our heritage, and will be on permanent display and available to the public to look through as did our early astronomers.

“It is a welcome addition to the many attractions of Mt Stromlo,” the Chief Minister concluded.