Molten optical glass from Mt. Stromlo Observatory

The Mount Stromlo Observatory is renowned worldwide for its outstanding scientific research in optical astronomy and astrophysics. It was a national disaster when the Observatory's telescopes and workshops were destroyed by a severe bushfire that swept Mount Stromlo on 18 January 2003.

The fused optical astronomical glass is a revealing piece of evidence for the intensity of the fire that destroyed Mt Stromlo Observatory. The deformity apparent in the angular fusion and the abrasions throughout the glass reveals how the fire changed the nature of the object.

The fire disrupted the entire operation of the Observatory generally and telescope fabrication in particular. This glass is believed to be from one of the mirrors that was being prepared for a telescope at the Observatory.