This high-powered spectrograph is linked to the Anglo-Australian Telescope at Siding Spring Observatory near Coonabarabran.

FORBES: Searching for the Siblings of the Sun

The fire forced staff to evacuate from the Siding Spring Observatory, in the state's north-east.

BBC: News - Australia bushfire destroys homes and damages observatory

The Siding Spring Observatory, located high in a remote area, is home to Australia's largest optical telescope, the 3.9m diameter Anglo-Australian Telescope, as well as several others.

BBC: News - Australia bushfire destroys homes and damages observatory