Bushfires Destroy Historic Mt. Stromlo Observatory

Posted by timothy on Saturday January 18, 2003 @07:26PM from the shame dept.

Anthony writes "The historic Mt Stromlo observatory has been destroyed by fires. Unfortunately Google cache and similar archives are the only available detailed information. Looks like the web site was housed at the observatory. Telescopes housed there were 74" and 50" reflectors along with the "Oddie" 9" refractor used by the Canberra Astronomical Society. Also destroyed were a number of student houses and workshops. The view from the air is one of molten domes and twisted metal. These fires have already destroyed 388 houses in the suburbs of Canberra. Luckily the winds have not picked up today, but the danger is still high."

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So let me get this straight ... by gulfan · 2003-01-18 19:57 · Score: 0, Redundant

... the slashdot effect against the webserver caused a harddrive failure which caught the computer on fire, which then burned down the observatory? We really need to mirror things!
This just in... by Mister+Transistor · 2003-01-18 20:18 · Score: 0, Redundant

In a related story, Slashfires set ablaze the server farm at the Australian National University.
"Twas 'orrible, mate!" recalled the sysadmin there, who narrowly avoided burning his (transmission garbled)... ...Fortunately, the MP3 and p0rn servers have reportedly survived the onslaught. Film at 11.

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