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The CSIRO/NASA Deep Space tracking station at Tidbinbilla near Canberra is well worth a visit. They have antenna DSN 46 which started life at the Honeysuckle Creek tracking station.
Originally constructed in 1965 for the Apollo missions, this antenna has had an amazing history. The first human spaceflight mission it supported was Apollo 7 in October 1968. On 21 July 1969 (Australian time) this antenna received and relayed to the world the first television images of Neil Armstrong's historic first steps on the Moon.
It is no longer used but it will not be dismantled because of its history.
As an aside to this if you visit Canberra one of the best drives close to the city is to visit Mt Stromlo, Tidbinbilla and Honeysuckle Creek.
Mt Stromlo was ravaged by the 2003 bushfires and lost one of its important telescopes and several buildings
These days the telescopes are hardly used but it is still a massive research facility. Because of modern communications it uses telescopes all over the world but particularly the one in the Warrumbungles for its research.
Not much remains at Honeysuckle Creek other than a memorial and a wonderful National Park and campground
Brilliant photos Bruce, and an interesting piece of modern history. Thanks for sharing, if I'm ever lucky enough, or healthy enough, to visit Australia they will be high on my list of places to visit......Especially the cafe'....
For those that are interested here are a few more space related things.
In the radio department this is the Parkes Telescope which featured in the film "The Dish" and which was involved in the Apollo Moon landing (though not as much as claimed in the film).
It has been updated several times and is state of the art but here is the original control panel used at the time of the moon landings.
The telescope is in constant use and every time I have visited has moved or has been tracking.
Then there is the Anglo Australian telescope high in the Warrumbungles at the Siding Spring Observatory.
It is a massive optical telescope with nearly 4 metre mirror, there are several smaller telescopes in the park owned by various organisations including the Japanese.
The area is recognised as an IDA International Dark Sky Park (IDSP) which is land possessing an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and a nocturnal environment that is specifically protected for its scientific, natural, educational, cultural heritage, and/or public enjoyment.
Notice how it is enhanced by my vehicle parked in front of it. Inside the telescope is BIG
They still have the box for the mirror (in case they have to send it back?).
The surrounding area for hundreds or kilometres has a scale model of the Solar System. which uses the dome of the observatory as a scale model of the Sun.
Here is the Earth to scale, notice the tiny moon - I forget where this sign was but it was a long way from the observatory but nothing like the distance and size of the gas giants.
Brilliant photos Bruce, and an interesting piece of modern history. Thanks for sharing, if I'm ever lucky enough, or healthy enough, to visit Australia they will be high on my list of places to visit......Especially the cafe'....
They've all got cafes and visitor centres (except Honeysuckle Creek)
I am interested in science but also the Australian night sky is absolutely fascinating.
When I first came to Australia I recognised nothing in the night sky except something obvious like Orion's Belt but I noticed that it seemed to have a lot more stars especially when you get away from the cities.
Apparently the Southern Hemisphere looks toward the centre of our galaxy hence the quantity of stars. Of course by now I am far more familiar with it and can pick the Southern Cross, the false cross and various other interesting stars and galaxies but I still haven't lost my wonder at the sheer number of stars and the night sky 'downunder'.
At the other end of the scale, Vectis A S here on the IoW. The location was chosen for clear skies and semi remoteness.
Here are a few shots from their gallery.