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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 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.

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 02

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: Part Photograph 41

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A close-up photograph of the hour angle setting circle from the Townsend Telescope.

Observatory Tower Photograph 11

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of the largest section 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 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 26

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. Scaffolding constructed around the tower has also collapsed and is amongst the rubble.

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.

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".

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.

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.

Observatory Tower Photograph 07

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. Wire fencing has been placed at the entrance to the courtyard in front as a cordon.

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.

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.