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THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 2888      2013 Jan 13 14.54UT
Ed:Guy M Hurst, 16,Westminster Close, Kempshott Rise,  Basingstoke,
Hants, RG22 4PP,England.Telephone/FAX(01256)471074Int:+441256471074
INTERNET: GUY@TAHQ.DEMON.CO.UK      Backup: gmh@wdcc1.bnsc.rl.ac.uk
WORLD WIDE WEB                         http://www.theastronomer.org
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SIDING SPRING OBSERVATORY
A note earlier today from David Herald in Australia relayed that staff 
and buildings of Siding Spring Observatory were under threat from the 
bush fires which continue to burn in many parts of Australia.

I e-mailed Rob McNaught who works at Siding Spring and he reports the 
following a few minutes ago:

Just a note to let you know that I and all the other staff at Siding 
Spring Observatory are safe and well, following the major bush fire that 
went through it this afternoon. I was unaware of the threat and only 
became aware when I heard helicopters flying over my house on the Timor 
Road some 10km from the observatory. Very quickly after the smoke plume 
became obvious. Tanya and I evacuated with our dogs within minutes and 
are currently staying in Coonabarabran.

We are aware of damage to the Observatory. Apparently the Visitor's 
Centre has been damaged (some reports say lost) and other buildings have 
also been badly affected. I have no news about telescopes, but note that 
I can login to two computers in the Uppsala office and the 2.3m 
building. The AAT should be unaffected as it is a very secure and a 
well-defended building.

Two houses on the Timor Road are known to be lost. I understand the fire 
went through our property so we can only hope. A high proportion of the 
Observatory staff have houses along this road but I met many of them in 
the evacuation centre this afternoon or heard reports that they were 
safe. Once again, many hold fears that their houses are lost.


Best wishes for their continued safety and that their property has 
survived have been sent on behalf of TA readers: Editor

Guy M Hurst