Observatory Tower Photograph 21

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of the rubble from 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. Scaffolding constructed around the tower has also collapsed and is amongst the rubble. A car and the bumper of another car can be seen under the rubble.

Observatory Tower Photograph 23

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of the earthquake damage to the Observatory tower at the Christchurch Arts Centre. The top two storeys of the tower collapsed during the 22 February 2011 earthquake and the rubble spilled into the courtyard in front. A digger was used to clear the rubble away from the building. A tarpaulin has been draped over the top of the tower and the roof of the building behind.

Observatory Tower Photograph 16

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of the earthquake damage to the Observatory tower at the Christchurch Arts Centre. The top two storeys of the tower collapsed during the 22 February 2011 earthquake and the rubble spilled into the courtyard in front. A digger was used to clear the rubble away from the building. A tarpaulin has been draped over the top of the broken tower and the roof behind.

Observatory Tower Photograph 17

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of the earthquake damage to the Observatory tower at the Christchurch Arts Centre. The top two storeys of the tower collapsed during the 22 February 2011 earthquake and the rubble spilled into the courtyard in front. A digger was used to clear the rubble away from the building. A tarpaulin has been draped over the top of the broken tower and the roof behind.

Observatory Tower Photograph 32

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of the earthquake damage to the Observatory tower at the Christchurch Arts Centre. The top two storeys of the tower collapsed during the 22 February 2011 earthquake and the rubble spilled into the courtyard in front. A digger was used to clear the rubble away from the building. A tarpaulin has been draped over the top of the broken tower and the roof behind.

Observatory Tower Photograph 22

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of the base of the Townsend Telescope, still attached to a piece of rubble. The rubble is from the Observatory tower at the Christchurch Arts Centre. The tower collapsed during the 22 February 2011 earthquake and the rubble spilled into the courtyard in front. A digger was used to clear the rubble away from the building.

Observatory Tower Photograph 25

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. Scaffolding constructed around the tower has also collapsed and is amongst the rubble. In the background is a shipping container. A red sticker has been placed on the door to the Physics Building.

The Townsend Observatory

Articles, UC QuakeStudies

A document outlining the history of the Townsend Telescope and Observatory at the Christchurch Arts Centre. The document was written by Karen Pollard, Associate Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Canterbury.

Observatory Tower Photograph 31

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of a crack in between the stairway and a column of the Physics Building at the Canterbury Arts Centre. The crack formed during the 22 February 2011 earthquake.

Townsend Telescope: Interview with Chris Whitty

Audio, UC QuakeStudies

An interview with Chris Whitty, Site Manager at the Christchurch Arts Centre, about the recovery of the Townsend Telescope from the rubble of the Observatory tower. The interview was conducted by Sebastian Wilberforce.

Townsend Telescope Pre-Earthquake Photographs 02

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of the Townsend Telescope in the Observatory at the Christchurch Arts Centre. In the bottom right-hand corner of the photograph is a pulley for the telescope's clock drive. This is one of the pieces that went missing when the Observatory tower collapsed in the 22 February 2011 earthquake. This image was used by Graeme Kershaw, Technician at the University of Canterbury Department of Physics and Astronomy, to identify the telescope's parts after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.

Among the Stars: An evening with a telescope

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A copy of an article extracted from page 8 of The Star newspaper, published on 13 May 1899. The article is titled, "Among the Stars: An evening with a telescope".

Mr Townsend's Telescope: A peep at the sun

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A copy of an article extracted from page 6 of The Press newspaper, published on 27 May 1891. The article is titled, "Mr Townsend's Telescope: A peep at the sun".

The Transit of Venus

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A copy of an article extracted from page 3 of The Star newspaper, published on 7 December 1882. The article is titled, "The Transit of Venus".