Twenty-one Lyneham Probus members bundled up in their warmest winter gear for an evening visit to the historic Mt Stromlo Observatory.
Founded in 1924, the famous site was changed forever by the devastating 2003 Canberra bushfires, which destroyed heritage buildings, telescopes and valuable research libraries. Today, a surviving courtyard tree and the ruins of the old 74-inch telescope stand as symbols of resilience.
Now rebuilt, the site features modern facilities including the National Space Test Facility and celebrates achievements such as the Nobel Prize awarded to Professor Brian Schmidt.
During the tour, members split into groups to explore the modern rotating domes. Using automated, software-driven tracking, the telescopes provided impressive views of Venus, distant stars and the textured lunar surface.
A highlight of the evening was seeing the Moon up close, with its brilliant glow against the darkness of the dome leaving members spellbound.
The memorable evening combined history, scientific discovery and winter adventure while showcasing the beauty of the night sky and the remarkable resilience of Mt Stromlo Observatory.
