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 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.

Observatory Tower Photograph 15

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 and 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 the damaged tower with a tarpaulin draped over the top.

Observatory Tower Photograph 38

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of the earthquake-damaged Observatory tower at the Christchurch Arts Centre. The photograph was taken using a cellphone camera. The top of the tower collapsed during the 22 February 2011 earthquake. The rubble from the tower has been cleared and a tarpaulin has been placed over the top of the broken tower. Tyres have been placed on the tarpaulin to hold it down. A temporary roof has also been constructed over the tower to keep out the rain. Two vehicles are parked in front.

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 37

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of the earthquake-damaged Observatory tower at the Christchurch Arts Centre. The photograph was taken using a cellphone camera. The top of the tower collapsed during the 22 February 2011 earthquake. The rubble from the tower has been cleared and a tarpaulin has been placed over the top of the broken tower. Tyres have been placed on the tarpaulin to hold it down. A temporary roof has also been constructed over the tower to keep out the rain.

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.

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.

Townsend Telescope Pre-Earthquake Photographs 05

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of the Townsend Telescope in the Observatory at the Christchurch Arts Centre. 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.

Townsend Telescope Pre-Earthquake Photographs 03

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of the Townsend Telescope in the Observatory at the Christchurch Arts Centre. 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.

Townsend Telescope: A brief history

Articles, UC QuakeStudies

A document outlining the history of the Townsend Telescope and Observatory at the Christchurch Arts Centre.

Townsend Telescope Pre-Earthquake Photographs 04

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of the Townsend Telescope in the Observatory at the Christchurch Arts Centre. Graeme Kershaw, Technician at the University of Canterbury Department of Astronomy and Physics, is standing to the left. This image was used by Kershaw to identify the telescope's parts after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.

Townsend Telescope Pre-Earthquake Photographs 01

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of Wayne Smith and Ken Vickery inside the Observatory at the Christchurch Arts Centre, taken in the 1970s. Smith and Vickery are pictured next to the Townsend Telescope, which they have just refurbished. No repair work was necessary during this process.

Townsend Telescope Pre-Earthquake Photographs 06

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of the clock drive of the Townsend Telescope. The telescope is in the Observatory at the Christchurch Arts Centre. 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.

Townsend Telescope Pre-Earthquake Photographs 07

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of the middle section of the Townsend Telescope. The telescope is in the Observatory at the Christchurch Arts Centre. 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.

Townsend Telescope Pre-Earthquake Photographs 09

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of the middle section of the Townsend Telescope. The telescope is in the Observatory at the Christchurch Arts Centre. A plate on the side reads, "T Cook & Sons, 1864, York & London". 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.

Townsend Telescope Pre-Earthquake Photographs 08

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of the middle section of the Townsend Telescope. The telescope is in the Observatory at the Christchurch Arts Centre. A plate on the side reads, "T Cook & Sons, 1864, York & London". 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.

Townsend Telescope Pre-Earthquake Photographs 10

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of the Townsend Telescope. The telescope is in the Observatory at the Christchurch Arts Centre. A plate on the side reads, "T Cook & Sons, 1864, York & London". 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".

Stars in a Cluster

Articles, UC QuakeStudies

A copy of Stars in a Cluster, a book by the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Canterbury. The book was published in 1996 and edited by W. Tobin and G.M. Evans. This PDF version was created in 2014.