Album info

  • Title: Salvaging the CSO administration building
  • Description: During May 2004 the heritage-listed Commonwealth Solar Observatory building went through a "salvage and make safe" process. The work was carried out by HABKA Constructions and Demolition. The fire damage to building and contents was such that none of the library, records or archives of the observatory were salvagable. Only "horrible relics" were recovered.

    NOTE: All images are copyright and must not be reproduced or mirrored in any form without written permission.

Salvaging the CSO administration building

  • The basement, looking toward the stairwell (left). The base of the tower is on the right.

    • The basement, looking toward the stairwell (l…
    • Views: 3179

  • Cabinets containing the Palomar, ESO and UKST survey plates and films.

    • Cabinets containing the Palomar, ESO and UKST…
    • Views: 3105

  • Exit 3 surveys. Prints are burnt, plates have emulsion burnt off and are melted, warped and shattered.

    • Exit 3 surveys. Prints are burnt, plates have…
    • Views: 3066

  • Firedoors on the old spectrograph tunnel/computer room. They worked.

    • Firedoors on the old spectrograph tunnel/comp…
    • Views: 3202

  • Remains of the PDS machine.

    • Remains of the PDS machine.
    • Views: 3080

  • Part of the destroyed boiler, hooked up and ready to be lifted out.

    • Part of the destroyed boiler, hooked up and r…
    • Views: 2960

  • Crane, ready to lift boiler and bulky wreckage from the southern end of the courtyard.

    • Crane, ready to lift boiler and bulky wreckag…
    • Views: 3126

  • Scrap on the way out.

    • Scrap on the way out.
    • Views: 2946

  • Preparing to lift the chimney.

    • Preparing to lift the chimney.
    • Views: 3047