Search
found 403 results
Images for Department of Physics and Astronomy; more images...
Observatory Tower Photograph 14
Images, UC QuakeStudies
A close-up photograph of parts of the Townsend Telescope recovered from the rubble of the Observatory tower. The telescope was housed in the tower at the Christchurch Arts Centre. It was severely damaged when the tower collapsed during the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
Observatory Tower Photograph 08
Images, UC QuakeStudies
A photograph of cracks around a window of the Observatory tower at the Christchurch Arts Centre. The cracks formed as a result of the 4 September 2010 earthquake.
Observatory Tower Photograph 04
Images, UC QuakeStudies
A photograph of cracks around a window of the Observatory tower at the Christchurch Arts Centre. The cracks formed as a result of the 4 September 2010 earthquake.
Observatory Tower Photograph 02
Images, UC QuakeStudies
A photograph of cracks in the masonry of the Observatory tower at the Christchurch Arts Centre. The cracks formed as a result of the 4 September 2010 earthquake.
Observatory Tower Photograph 06
Images, UC QuakeStudies
A photograph of cracks around a window of the Observatory tower at the Christchurch Arts Centre. The cracks formed as a result of the 4 September 2010 earthquake.
Restoring the Townsend Telescope
Research papers, University of Canterbury Library
The Townsend Observatory is located in the Arts Centre of Christchurch, in what used to be Canterbury College (now University of Canterbury). The Townsend telescope itself is a historic 6-inch Cooke refractor built in 1864 for early Christchurch colonist, Mr James Townsend, and gifted by him to Christchurch College in 1891. At the same time, the Canterbury Astronomical Society handed over its funds to the College to help erect an observatory. The College used this, and money it had set aside for a medical school, to build a biological laboratory with an attached observatory tower, which was completed in 1896. The Biology Building and Observatory Tower was the last major design by architect Benjamin Mountfort. Mr Walter Kitson was appointed custodian of the telescope and regular public open nights commenced. and continued until 2010, with the telescope being operated by students of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Canterbury. The Observatory Tower was badly damaged in the 4 September 2010 earthquake and collapsed in the 22 February 2011 earthquake. The telescope was badly damaged by the collapse, but, amazingly, the optics were found entirely intact. The Department of Physics and Astronomy plans to restore the Townsend Telescope so that it can be returned to a replica Observatory Tower in its central city home, enabling the people of Christchurch, and visitors, to enjoy views of the night sky through this beautiful and historic telescope once again.
Observatory Tower Photograph 36
Images, UC QuakeStudies
A photograph of the platform for the Townsend Telescope amongst the rubble of the Observatory tower at the Christchurch Arts Centre. The tower collapsed during the 22 February 2011 earthquake, severely damaging the telescope.
Observatory Tower Photograph 27
Images, UC QuakeStudies
A photograph of the rubble of the Observatory tower in the South Quad of the Christchurch Arts Centre. The tower collapsed during the 22 February 2011 earthquake. A digger was used to clear the rubble away from the building.
Observatory Tower Photograph 13
Images, UC QuakeStudies
A close-up photograph of parts of the Townsend Telescope recovered from the rubble of the Observatory tower. The telescope was housed in the tower at the Christchurch Arts Centre. It was severely damaged when the tower collapsed during the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
Observatory Tower Photograph 34
Images, UC QuakeStudies
A photograph of the bottom storey of the Observatory tower at the Christchurch Arts Centre. Rubble from the top two storeys of the tower has spilled into the courtyard in front of the tower. A digger was used to clear the rubble away from the building.
Observatory Tower Photograph 12
Images, UC QuakeStudies
A photograph of parts of the Townsend Telescope recovered from the rubble of the Observatory tower. The telescope was housed in the tower at the Christchurch Arts Centre. It was severely damaged when the tower collapsed during the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
Observatory Tower Photograph 18
Images, UC QuakeStudies
A photograph of the earthquake damage to the second story of the Observatory tower at the Christchurch Arts Centre. The front of the storey has collapsed, exposing the inside. A tarpaulin has been draped over the top and the roof of the building behind.
Observatory Tower Photograph 03
Images, UC QuakeStudies
A photograph of the Observatory tower at the Christchurch Arts Centre. There are cracks in the masonry of the tower near where the two storeys join. The cracks formed as a result of the 4 September 2010 earthquake.
Photographic Services Photograph 06
Images, UC QuakeStudies
A photograph of Graeme Kershaw, Technician at the University of Canterbury Department of Physics and Astronomy, sitting among the damaged parts of the Townsend Telescope. The telescope was damaged during the 22 February 2011 earthquake, when the Observatory tower at the Christchurch Arts Centre collapsed. Kershaw has been given the task of restoring the telescope. In this photograph he is holding the telescope's clock drive. In the foreground there is a plaque reading, "The equatorial telescope and accessories in this observatory were presented to Canterbury College by James Townsend Esq. 1891. A large contribution towards the erection of the tower was made by the Canterbury Astronomical Society".
Photographic Services Photograph 05
Images, UC QuakeStudies
A photograph of Graeme Kershaw, Technician at the University of Canterbury Department of Physics and Astronomy, sitting among the damaged parts of the Townsend Telescope. The telescope was damaged during the 22 February 2011 earthquake, when the Observatory tower at the Christchurch Arts Centre collapsed. Kershaw has been given the task of restoring the telescope. In this photograph he is holding the telescope's clock drive. In the foreground there is a plaque reading, "The equatorial telescope and accessories in this observatory were presented to Canterbury College by James Townsend Esq. 1891. A large contribution towards the erection of the tower was made by the Canterbury Astronomical Society".
Townsend Telescope: Part Photograph 29
Images, UC QuakeStudies
A photograph of the lower end of the main tube of the Townsend Telescope. The tube was crushed and bent during the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
Townsend Telescope: Part Photograph 56
Images, UC QuakeStudies
A photograph of some of the parts of the Townsend Telescope. Many of the parts were damaged during the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
Townsend Telescope: Part Photograph 61
Images, UC QuakeStudies
A photograph of two clock gears from the Townsend Telescope.
Townsend Telescope: Part Photograph 17
Images, UC QuakeStudies
A photograph of the scale viewer eyepiece from the Townsend Telescope.
Townsend Telescope: Part Photograph 51
Images, UC QuakeStudies
A photograph of the damage to the teeth of a gear from the worm gear drive of the Townsend Telescope. The gear was damaged during the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
Townsend Telescope: Part Photograph 55
Images, UC QuakeStudies
A photograph of the declinator readout ring from the Townsend Telescope. The ring was chipped and scratched during the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
Townsend Telescope: Part Photograph 22
Images, UC QuakeStudies
A photograph of the knurled knob from the Townsend Telescope. The teeth of the knob were damaged during the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
Townsend Telescope: Part Photograph 23
Images, UC QuakeStudies
A photograph of a friction collar from the Townsend Telescope.
Townsend Telescope: Part Photograph 11
Images, UC QuakeStudies
A photograph of the earthquake-damaged output shaft from the top-plate of the Townsend Telescope's clock drive. The output shaft was bent out of shape during the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
Townsend Telescope: Part Photograph 10
Images, UC QuakeStudies
A photograph of the top cover of the clock from the Townsend Telescope. Parts of the cover were bent out of shape during the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
Townsend Telescope: Part Photograph 12
Images, UC QuakeStudies
A photograph of a collar from the Townsend Telescope. Part of the collar was bent out of shape during the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
Townsend Telescope: Part Photograph 13
Images, UC QuakeStudies
A photograph of a slow motion rod from the Townsend Telescope. The rod was bent out of shape during the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
Townsend Telescope: Part Photograph 15
Images, UC QuakeStudies
A photograph of a slow motion knob and shaft from the Townsend Telescope. The knob broke off the shaft during the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
Townsend Telescope: Part Photograph 14
Images, UC QuakeStudies
A photograph of a slow motion gear from the Townsend Telescope.
Townsend Telescope: Part Photograph 18
Images, UC QuakeStudies
A photograph of an eyepiece clamp from the Townsend Telescope.