By BEN CAMERON
THERE is scope for Mount Burnett Observatory to install a planetarium in coming years following $16000 worth of upgrades.
Formerly owned by Monash University, observatory improvements were unveiled at an official opening last Friday, following a $13,000 grant from Cardinia Shire Council.
Observatory Outreach Officer James Murray said the 42-year-old fibreglass dome, which was cracked and covered in inch thick moss, was given a facelift last month.
“This threatened the valuable equipment inside as well as making the dome harder to operate,” he said.
Mr Murray said it took five 18 hour days, and repairmen without a fear of heights, to get the job done.
“It’s white now… you can see it for miles now across the valley,” he said.
“It took over a year of searching for us to find a company willing to take on such an unusual task.
“We really want to turn it into a tourist attraction.”
Since Mount Burnett Observatory Inc. was formed in July 2011, its ranks have grown from five to 150, while visitor numbers continue to increase every year.
“We’ve had 1600 people come through here for different activities this year,” he said.
“Which is our biggest year yet.
“In three short years we have grown from a membership of five to over 150, which makes us one of the largest astronomy groups in the country.”
He said with repairs planned for their telescopes, and the observatory now watertight, it could pave the way for more exciting new developments.
“It has also allowed us to contemplate setting up a planetarium inside the dome so that we can run activities onsite even when it is raining outside.
“Our plan is to become a major part of the cultural fabric of the Ranges.”
The observatory has also built a new all-weather driveway.
