Âé¶¹´«Ã½

Forest fire threatens historic California observatory

2 September 2009

A VORACIOUS Californian forest fire is threatening the near Los Angeles, where, nearly a century ago, Edwin Hubble made the observations that confirmed the notion of an expanding universe.

The started on 26 August. As Âé¶¹´«Ã½ went to press, it had burned through some 425 square kilometres of the , destroyed buildings and led to the deaths of two firefighters.

The describes the fire’s passage across mount Wilson as “imminent”. Firefighters have evacuated their base below the observatory, although flame retardant will continue to be dropped in the area.…

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