19th July 2020
Our new exciting project...restoration of an abandoned observatory near Quorn in Flinders Ranges. This hand-made observatory was essentially a galvanised water tank with a rotating tin roof with wooden wheels. Located on Mathew Britza's property, a local Quorn resident, he recalls it was built by Mr Murray Hull, some forty-odd years ago. Mervyn Rabig, another Quorn resident, who participated in erecting this structure, remembers the dobsonian telescope that was hand-crafted by Mr Hull was housed in this observatory, and was used for stargazing for a number of years. This observatory hasn't been used in decades and is now crumbling to the elements.
Our restoration project will include a fund-raising drive through our mobile observatory astronomy outreach in communities in Quorn, Jamestown, Whyalla, Beltana and Marree in mid till late September this year. Mr Ashley Parkinson of Quorn has a plan to clear the area and to try grading a track from local dirt road nearby to the observatory, and help in the restoration plan that will include reinforcement of the observatory structure without much altering its original form, and installation of solar panels and a shed near the observatory for equipment. We plan to install a computerized telescope (10-12 inch diameter) for visual astronomy for local community and visitors, and possibly upgrading it for astrophotography and even remote operations. Kindly provide your suggestions to help us restore this gem to the glory it deserves.
Here is a link to the coverage by 7News about the observatory broadcasted yesterday.
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