The Oddie 2 telescope which we all looked throughI find it a fascinating place to visit. You ascend up a winding road where you're often watched by kangaroos and then, just as you're looking down admiring the spectacular view of Canberra and the surrounds, you come upon a whole village of university buildings, academic blocks and white observation domes.
I learned this weekend that one of the buildings up there lays claim as being the oldest Commonwealth building in the ACT - the Oddie Observatory which was erected in 1911.
Unfortunately the bush fires which gripped Canberra in 2003 have burnt out a lot of the buildings and there are numerous skeletons of buildings and observatories which have either burnt to the ground or are shells of their former selves. It is a true phoenix from the flames though and there are plenty of new buildings and a really nice cafe which has just opened to serve the many mountain-bikers who plummet from the top of the hill to Stromlo forest below.
Sunday was the anniversary of the placement of the Oddie telescope. James Oddie was an intriguing man in Australia's history who made (and then lost) a fortune. If you want to read more about him this is a good link and here is an excellent short TV clip about him too!
There were numerous astronomers and astrophysicists on hand and it was a really interesting trip. There was the obligatory sausage sizzle and balloons and a bouncy castle for the kids.
Audrey had entered a colouring competiton. She didn't win, but being proud parents that we are we thought her entry was just as good as the 10 year old who did win.
admiring Audrey's colouring
An old Australian (Dennis) fire engine
Adi - (a very clever yet funny guy) tells us all about a meteorite and comets)
Audrey and Eli test a magnet on the meteorite 
This bit of kit looks for 'space junk' using a laser
We stood in this looking out to space - a great evening
Where it all started - view from inside the Oddie observatory (sadly now destroyed by fire)
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