[ASA] Update on fire damage at Siding Spring Observatory and Mopra Telescope

[Kate Brooks]

Dear ASA members,

Many of you will have seen by now the media coverage of the fierce bush fire that roared through the Warrumbungle National Park to the West of Coonabarabran (the Wambelong Fire) late yesterday evening. The brave men and women of the NSW Rural Fire Service, local Police and other volunteers did an amazing job to ensure that no lives were lost and that the damage to properties was kept to a minimum. Unfortunately there has been damage to the Siding Spring Observatory and the Mopra Telescope. Some 15 homes in the area have also been lost. 

All staff and visiting astronomers were evacuated from the Siding Spring Observatory before the fire came through and are safe. The AAT and UK Schmidt appear to have escaped major damage, however the ANU Lodge has been destroyed. ANU and AAO websites will continue to provide updates on fire damage to the Siding Spring Observatory:
http://www.aao.gov.au
http://www.anu.edu.au

Early reports on the Mopra Telescope (by Siding Spring Observatory staff) indicate that damage has been sustained to the onsite accommodation and control building. Fortunately the antenna itself appears intact. CASS staff travelled this morning from Narrabri to inspect the site, but were unable to get through as fire is now threatening the road. Further updates on fire damage to Mopra are not expected until tomorrow morning and will be posted to the ATNF website:
http://www.atnf.csiro.au/

Updates are also available on the NSW Rural Fire Service webpage, under Wambelong WNP, www.rfs.nsw.gov.au.
AAO staff member Amanda Bauer (@astropixie) is also giving updates on Twitter and on her blog (amandabauer.blogspot.com.au).

My thoughts are with the observatory staff and local residents in the wake of this devastating fire. 

Kate Brooks, 
ASA, President
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