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All Australia Parkes 'The Astronomer'
AO Edited

'The Astronomer'

A stargazing sculpture made from the ruins of an iconic telescope.

Parkes, Australia

Added By
Markos Hasiotis
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‘The Astronomer’   Louise Docker from sydney, Australia
‘The Astronomer’   Louise Docker from sydney, Australia
‘The Astronomer’   Bidgee
‘The Astronomer’   Timwether
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About

In 2003, Canberra was hit by a horrific firestorm. The fire destroyed the Mount Stromlo Observatory, as well as its historic Yale-Columbia Refractor telescope. The telescope had been observing the stars since the 1920s and even helped with a few NASA missions.

But from this tragedy came beauty. Parts of the telescope that were damaged were used to construct this magnificent sculpture known as "The Astronomer." Constructed by scientist/artist Tim Wetherell, the sculpture is a visual nod to the telescope and functions as both a historical monument and a unique piece of art. 

The sculpture currently stands tall outside Questacon, a popular science and technology center in Canberra. Be sure to visit and maybe stargaze alongside him.

Related Tags

Sculptures Astronomy Outsider Art

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Added By

Markos

Published

March 29, 2021

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Sources
  • https://www.questacon.edu.au/visiting/galleries/outdoor/exhibits/the-astronomer
  • https://rsaa.anu.edu.au/observatories/telescopes/yale-columbia-refractor
  • https://apo.org.au/node/19740
  • https://web.archive.org/web/20081113005217/http://wwwrsphysse.anu.edu.au/admin/php/orrery/orrery.php
'The Astronomer'
King Edward Terrace, Parkes ACT 2600, Australia
Parkes, 2600
Australia
-35.29884, 149.131342

Nearby Places

National Gallery Sculpture Garden

Canberra, Australia

miles away

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miles away

Australian-American Memorial

Canberra, Australia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Parkes

Parkes

Australia

Places 2

Nearby Places

National Gallery Sculpture Garden

Canberra, Australia

miles away

Phar Lap's Heart

Canberra, Australia

miles away

Australian-American Memorial

Canberra, Australia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Parkes

Parkes

Australia

Places 2

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