Famous observatory in danger of being set alight by forest fires

Mount Wilson Observatory in California is in danger of being set alight by forest fires that are ravaging the mountains north of Los Angeles...

HomeNews 4 Kids9/2/2009[ Los Angeles, California, USA ] Tell - A - Friend

Mount Wilson Observatory in California is in danger of being set alight by forest fires that are ravaging the mountains north of Los Angeles.

Wildfires in the area have been as close as a kilometre from the famous observatory, which is regarded as the birthplace of modern astronomy. A large number of communication towers which also service the region are in the same vicinity.

Firefighters are continuing to protect Mount Wilson and have continued to dump flame retardant around the towers, transmitters and telescopes.

They have said if the flames advance further up the 5,700-foot peak, the building which houses the great telescopes could be destroyed. Dozens of buildings are scattered around the complex, as part of the century-old observatory.

Pioneering astronomer Edwin Hubble used Mount Wilson to prove in 1925 that the Milky Way is only one of many galaxies. He also discovered the earth is not even at the centre of its own galaxy.

Apart from the observatory, virtually all of Los Angeles' TV stations broadcast from aerials which are situated at the top of the mountain. Most of the city's FM radio stations also broadcast from Mt. Wilson.

AP

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