Founders fear Stony Ridge Observatory might be lost in Station fire

As the plight of Mt. Wilson remains in the forefront, a summit six miles northeast that also houses a decades-old observatory has yet to receive much attention.

But Stony Ridge Observatory, whose fate is unknown, is worth acknowledging, said one of its founders.

John Sousa was among the 15 amateur astronomers who not only conceptualized Stony Ridge back in 1957, but also hand-built its 30-inch telescope and 30-foot dome.

Pooling their money over several years, the Stony Ridge astronomers poured their spare time and resources into the project near Charlton Flats.

In addition to personally grinding the glass that would become the telescope lens, they also paved their own road to the summit, bulldozed the land and dug the foundation for both the dome and the administration building.

“We were a bunch of engineers with a wealth of resources in our heads,” Sousa, 75, said. “We had regular daytime jobs and were astronomers by night. We all had a mutual dream about building a significant observatory that would do something to further the science of astronomy.”

The observatory, made of cinder block and metal, was finished in 1963 after a final contribution from Lockheed-California, which bought time to use the telescope.

“They were so impressed with our instrument that they said they wanted to do a project with NASA to create high-resolution photographs of areas of the moon for the first moon landing,” Sousa said.

John Briggs, a high school physics and astronomy teacher who once worked at Mt. Wilson, said Stony Ridge deserves recognition.

“The telescope inside is really a masterpiece,” he said. “The fact that a group of people got together and did it as a team and set it up at that excellent location -- it’s a wonderful accomplishment.”

Owned by board members who pay a fee to join, the observatory has a 99-year lease on federal land, which means that tree clearing in the area is up to the U.S. Forest Service.

For years, towering pine trees have stood just 15 feet from the observatory, and some board members fear they may have added unnecessary fuel to the fire.

“Almost two years ago, a number of trees were marked for clearing, and they’ve never done anything about it,” said Dave Hadlen. “We don’t know the extent of the damage, but the situation would be considerably different if the trees weren’t in such close proximity to the observatory.”

It’s hard to tell how much money it would take to rebuild the observatory if it succumbs to flames, although the cost is estimated at up to $1 million.

“The trouble with estimating the cost of the telescope is that it’s a classic; it can’t be replaced,” said board member Kay Meyer.

Sousa, one of the last surviving founders, now lives in Phoenix. Over the last few days, he has watched the news with despair, searching for any glimpse of what might have happened to Stony Ridge.

“I’ve been sick for days about it,” he said. “Those buildings were built to last a hundred years -- we didn’t cheat on a thing. The only thing we didn’t and couldn’t build against was fire.”

-- Corina Knoll

Comments

[truth to power]

This is an American treasure, a monument to those who built it and a reminder that, unlike today, science was once taught in schools, inspired many and actually mattered.
Prey this amazing landmark survives the fire!

[Hovsep]

I have very fond memories of nights up at the Stoney Ridge Observatory, which has been on my mind since these fires began. We used to go up there as part of our astronomy class taught by David Hurst at Glendale College.

I hope the observatory, which was cherished and actively used by so many "amateur" astronomers, has survived this fire.

[peter m]

Concerns from Colorado....

Tuesday (9-1) I’m listening to the latest news on the southern California wildfire sagas, when I hear that the Mt. Wilson Observatory was potentially threatened.

My first thought was geez don’t tell me ....
    so I clicked on GoogleEarth and typed in Mt.Wilson Observatory.

In it zoomed and it was like getting punched in the belly - sure as poop the forest practically rubs up against some of the buildings.

Since then my mind keeps returning to thinking about all those smart people: the scientists, administrators, planners, grounds keepers, maintenance, or all those others who drove up and down that road; the dignitaries, the rich and powerful, the media, politicians and the public, this past decade.

All those eyes and minds that surveyed the scene, year after year, season after season of steadily intensifying southern Cal wildfires. Yet, no one thought to impose a quarter mile of Defensive Space between the jewels and the tinderbox?

This National Treasure and home to probably better than a billion dollars worth of scientific instruments and no defensive space against an inevitable wildfire?

What is going on? Is everyone so sure God is on their side? Or, do people just not care about seriously considering the reality of future years?

It reminded me of W Bush’s immortal words upon visiting the New Orleans’ Katrina Levee Engineering Disaster: “No one could have ever imagined such a thing happening.”

When are we going to start recognizing the Earth under our feet?

[Ben Cho]

Just wild fire in general, when the California state budget permits (who know how long that will take), it would be nice to build tiny reservoirs here and there near the points of interest around the mountainious regions in the future. I hope you know the reason why.

Now, I don't know how long it will take and how much it will cost, but persoanlly I think it's possible. Plus! I think it's darn good idea! =) Just a thought people, just a thought.

now, don't jump on to smolder my 2cents with your harsh criticism please. If you have nothing good to say, please, hush! Thank you very much and have a wonderful day! I♥LA

[Tony]

These sorts of observatories are often undervalued by the community yet in many ways contribute important things to astronomy that larger observatories can't do.

Outside of Bundaberg in Australia is a 20 inch telescope built by hand by enthusiasts way back when. I remember when I was in the district the telescope was involved in serious science observing and counting flare stars for the CSIRO. That sort of work is too tedious and time consuming for the big famous observatories which need to do more glamorous work to attract funding yet is eagerly accepted by amateur astronomers as their contribution to big science while scientists at the bigger facilities are grateful that such important work gets done. It is win-win for everyone.

Another important role they play is in introducing the general public to science as these small observatories are friendlier toward visitors and are able to allow visitors the chance to look through their telescope whereas the giant telescopes are too valuable and complex to enable such a hands on experience for members of the community. Many astronomers first discovered their passion for astronomy in facilities like this.

Let us hope that the wind and terrain are kind and direct the worst of the fires away from that wonderful observatory.

[Joe Barry]

We must wage an internet campaign to raise money and repair whatever damage Stony Ridge Observatory sustains. We must ensure that the observatory lives on.

[Deb Burgess]

This type of structure is just as important as the Wilson observatory. I understand making a stand for the news stations and I understand making a stand for the observatory, but too much focus is on those. What about the other rich history in the area that will be lost if water dropping and fire retardant is only focused on Wilson? There are number of fronts where a stand could be taken to protect these structures.

[Jeanne Buzzetti Koerner]

My father, Charles Buzzetti is one of the founding members also, he is now 92. All of us kids have such fond memories of spending the night up there star gazing and drinking hot chocolate. My father will be devastated if it is damaged. We will keep our eyes peeled on this story.
It truly is a treasure, where would we be without the ingnenuity and passions of people to follow their dreams?

[KC]

Hovsep: your comments are incorrect. The staff of Mt Wilson were well aware of the danger, especially after the Mt Stromlo observatory fire in Australia several years ago, and had a brush clearing program in place to limit fuel for an event such as this.

[Jeff Perlman]

I visited this observatory with the Poly High School science club back in 1966. We were blown away by what these amateur astronomers had accomplished. In a building a few yards from the telescope, we saw Lockheed and NASA folks pouring over lunar maps and images.

I hope the observatory will be rebuilt if it was destroyed. It played a key but unheralded role in the Apollo program and was a great tool for education. I'm sure it inspired many students to "look up."

[Pete Sloman]

My father, Easy Sloman, was one of the original founders, and for thirty-one years until he died in 1988 the observatory was part of my life. As a kid, I helped build it -- clearing ground cover (mostly manzanita, which of course burns almost explosively), scraping excess mortar from the concrete blocks of the dome housing, and checking the carborundum levels on the mirror blank as it was being ground. Some of the monthly meetings were held at our house; I remember Mr. Sousa well. I've hiked in the area, camped there, played in the snow there, and with Dad done a lot of observing. My brother Chris is a member of the Observatory organization. Losing it, if it is lost, will be like losing a family member.

Much of the coverage of the threat to the Mt. Wilson Observatory has explained its historical value, but it must be emphasized that both it and Stony Ridge Observatory continue to do important work, and that the loss of either will be catastrophic to astronomy in California.

[Ranch'Tender]

don't give up hope for the chilao area!!.... i live about two miles away from the stony ridge observatory (i've already evacuated...)... i even got to see mars and uranus through the big telescope one night...
i have semi-regular updates coming in that are quite hopeful... some structures have been lost, but there are many still standing... there are currently many crews in the area creating firebreaks and strengthen the existing ones... as of now, my home stands, but there is still fire in the neighborhood...
...we have already lost so much in this terrible disaster, let us all hope and pray that this little mountain treasure makes it through....

[Henry Pearson]

It will be very sad if this observatory has been lost. An ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure. Knowing that the observatory is located in the middle of a tinder dry forest that has been accumulating flammable fuel for at least 50 years, I have to wonder why the work was not done to clear brush and trees away from the observatory to provide a fire break. We get too soon old and too late smart.

[Rex Mauldin]

Soon after graduating from high school, I had the opportunity to visit the observatory many times around the mid-1970s. It sickens me to think that the observatory may very well have been lost from a fire that had the trees been cleared away, should never have happened in the first place. I well remember using the telescope and the effort it took me as a 19 year old struggling along with my old car at the time to get to the observatory and enjoy using it. To think because the trees were not cleared away that the fire was able to do the damage that it has done that a valuable resource has been lost just angers me think about. It is just one more reason for me to not trust the government. The members of the association often went to the observatory to clean up trash and weeds in an effort to do what they could to help keep the place clean. I am hoping to hear news that Stony Ridge sues somebody over this, wins their case and then rebuilds as soon as possible.

[Mike Simmons]

peter m in Colorado and others,

There has been a very large clearing and thinning program going on at Mt. Wilson Observatory for several years. Denuding the hillsides of all vegetation is not possible as it would destabilize the steep slopes (which are composed of a crumbly material that readily slides even without rain) and create disastrous slides every year. Removing all vegetation would also impact the science programs by allowing more sunlight to be absorbed by the ground around the telescope domes during the day that would then be given off during the night and deteriorate image quality as the heat rises into the telescopes' light paths. Many of the trees on the grounds were in fact planted by a staff member in the 1940s and 1950s but have now grown well beyond what is appropriate, leading to the present long-term clearing program.

The cost of doing this over the observatory's leased 40-acre site, however, is in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, and the non-profit organization operating this private observatory has a hard time funding it so it's been taking place over several years. The US Forest Service has been very helpful with this but of course they are also working with very limited resources. The observatory has been on this site for 105 years and has been threatened before, and everyone there has lived through it before and is acutely aware of the danger every day during fire season. A photo of one of an earlier fire is even displayed in the observatory museum. But the reality on the ground (literally!) is just not as simple as the management not caring or being short-sighted. And regarding fire awareness and preparation at the observatory...

Ben Cho, you will be glad to know that the observatory (at least) has a 750,000 gallon reservoir on the grounds with a pump and hydrant system throughout the grounds that is available to staff and firefighters.

Deb Burgess, fear not. While the news is showing Mt. Wilson a lot, there are currently 4735 firefighting personnel working the fire through the forest along with dozens of aircraft throughout the area. 670,000 gallons of water and retardant were dropped on the fire yesterday. Every site of historic and other value is getting the attention it deserves. The media may overemphasize Mt. Wilson but the firefighters do not. In fact, we were very concerned when firefighters were twice pulled of Mt. Wilson earlier this week to work on other important fronts, and very relieved when they returned in force when the observatory was most threatened.

I'm grateful to the LA Times for this article on Stony Ridge Observatory. Many of us who have been involved in astronomy in southern California many years, and many at Mt. Wilson Observatory, have observed there. We've all been wondering about its fate. I was in a meeting at Mt. Wilson with one of the Stony Ridge people quoted in the article less than a week before the fire broke out and have had only sporadic contact since then. Stony Ridge Observatory was created by a group of engineers that included professionals who created observatories for professional use and is an important part of their legacy.

Mike Simmons
VP, Mount Wilson Observatory Association

[Taras]

I hope Stony Ridge survived as well, it's loss would be tragic and needless as well.

[John]

Somebody please post a upadte on Stoney Ridge.

Hope that Newcombs Ranch also made it through.

[Mike Simmons]

Stony Ridge appears to be alright. See http://stony-ridge.org/StationFire.html

[J. Mason Querner]

My uncle was George Carroll and I am so relieved to hear that Stony Ridge dodged a bullet and survived the fire. When the fire began it was on my mind a lot, but I couldn't find any news on it. Thanks to everyone involved in saving this wonderful place.