ASTRONOMERS claim Santos’s controversial plan to establish a coal seam gas field in the Pilliga poses a grave threat to the future of the Siding Spring Observatory.
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The Australian National University (ANU) observatory, located near Coonabarabran, relies on the area’s “spectacularly dark and clear skies” in order to conduct its work.
But the risk of light and dust pollution should Santos get government approval to proceed with its $2 billion Narrabri Gas Project has raised questions over the site’s viability.
It is claimed light emanating from the gasfield’s security and operational lighting, as well as frequent gas flaring and airborne dust, could wreak havoc on the observatory’s telescopes.
Astronomer Robert McNaught has 82 comet discoveries to his name – almost three times more than anyone else in the world – and has spoken out this week against the project.
He used the occasion of the comet known as Siding Spring, which he discovered from the observatory, hurtling past Mars on Sunday to make his point.
“To put at risk the world-class status of Siding Spring Observatory is both illogical and galling,” he said.
“It’s also infuriating that community concerns are being trampled upon by both government and industry.”
Peter Verwayen, of ANU’s Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics, outlined some of the university’s major concerns in a submission to the Planning Assessment Commission earlier in the year.
He claimed dust emanating from the gasfield, coupled with interference from gas flares, would make “meaningful research” at Siding Spring “impossible”.
“The unfortunate consequence of not mitigating or controlling these threats will be that Siding Spring Observatory will no longer be able to attract or maintain a productive scientific research effort,” he said.
“The Australian National University will, by necessity, withdraw from the site, impacting the local community and the international organisations that rely on Siding Spring to continue their scientific research – effectively ending all major optical astronomical research in Australia.”
A Santos spokesperson said: “Santos will address potential environmental impacts, including lighting impacts, in the comprehensive environmental impact statement. This will be in accordance with all relevant regulatory requirements.”
