posted 11-21-2010 08:17 PM               

Within the first week of the model project's launch, "Uranus" was stolen from its site, according to Donald Ross, a charter member of the [John J. McCarthy] observatory. Then, he said, someone "probably bent" part of the Neptune installation outside New Milford Public Library and the "New Horizons" installation at John Pettibone School went missing.

Regarding New Horizons, he noted that "a couple from Newtown found it on site," and just over a week ago it was stolen. In the meantime, Neptune was also stolen.

"When Neptune was stolen, Monty put up a replica, but with New Horizons, all we can do is put a picture up," Mr. Ross said, referring to Monty Robson, the president of the observatory and a principal architect of the observatory's establishment as well as the solar system project, which has captured widespread attention...

The mayor and Mr. Robson each said it "would be great" if someone would just return the missing objects.

"Just drop them off at the town hall," Ms. Murphy said.

Mr. Robson said the observatory wants the missing pieces to be returned.

"When Uranus went missing, our policy was we want it back, no questions," he said. The thefts, he said, "are criminal acts, and if caught whoever took the pieces is likely to be prosecuted. But we don't want to deter the items' return, and we don't want to ruin a young person's life, if a young person was involved, by a conviction."

1. Though I feel, as the article describes, this was more likely the work of vandals rather than someone trying to steal the New Horizons model, should our readership see it offered anywhere, you'll now know who to contact, and,

2. Maybe there are modelers among our community who can help the observatory replace the New Horizons, should they desire to replace it.