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Contest #742 – Kjell Henricksen Observatory, Svalbard, Norway

A project of the University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS), The Kjell Henricksen Observatory (or KHO Svalbard), built starting in 1978, is the premier and northernmost observatory primarily targeted at studying the Aurora Borealis and related scientific endeavors. North of 78°, the observatory is designed to take advantage of the polar night, and thus it’s work is mostly limited to the period between October and May.

Those who froze their backsides off finding this site before the hint were:

  • Paul Voestermans
  • Lighthouse
  • Martin de Bock
  • Garfield
  • Phil Ower

And after the hint:

  • Gillian B
  • hhgygy
  • Eloy Cano
  • Bas van Limpt
  • Graham Hedley
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Contest #741 – MeerKAT Radio Telescope Array, The Karoo, South Africa

Standing and watching like the animal the site is named for, the MeerKAT array is a precursor to the Square Kilometer Array, one of the largest radio telescope projects ever conceived. The current site has 64 coordinated dishes, each one 19.5 M high and weighing in the neighborhood of 40 tons.

But, of course, nothing I say could possibly describe the site better than the cartoon series that was designed by SARAO, the organization that runs the project. You can read all 5 issues here: https://www.sarao.ac.za/outreach/mission-meerkat/

Those who found the site (all before the hint) were:

  • Paul Voestermans
  • Lighthouse
  • Martin de Bock
  • Eloy Cano
  • hhgygy
  • Phil Ower
  • Graham Hedley
  • Garfield
  • Robert
  • Bas van Limpt
  • Glenmorren
  • Andreas Meister
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Contest #740 – Austrått Manor and Stone Pyramid, Opphaug, Norway


Established in the 10th century, Austrått Manor is the oldest residence associated with Norwegian nobility. The current house was originally built in the mid 1600s, and was the setting for Henrik Ibsen’s third play, “Lady Inger of Ostrat”.

The main house was heavily damaged by fire in 1916. The restoration was not completed until 1961.

The house is open for tours during the spring and summer — it is a 1 hour ferry ride from Trondheim.

A unique feature of this location is it’s stone pyramid, erected in the late 18th century.

Austrattborgen9.jpg

Those who found the location before the hint:

  • Martin de Bock
  • hhgygy
  • Paul Voestermans
  • Garfield
  • Phil Ower
  • Lighthouse

And after the hint:

  • Graham Hedley

This concludes this series. Congrats to our perfect scorers: Martin de Bock, Paul Voestermans, Garfield and Lighthouse!!