22 May 2012

Looking up at 70 years

14/12/2011 9:28:00 a.m.

0 Comments

The observatory in its early years.

The observatory in its early years.

ONE of Wellington’s most well known buildings will celebrate 70 years of providing astronomical education on December 20. The Carter Observatory stands as New Zealand’s longest serving observatory and  has been the source of astronomical education for many New Zealanders.
The observatory was named after Waiarapa businessman Charles Rooking Carter  who gifted ₤2,240 towards establishing an astronomy facility in Wellington. The Carter Observatory officially opened its doors in December 1941.  
Over the years the Observatory has seen many changes – the use of the 21st century technology being one of the biggest changes.
The observatory now houses multi media exhibitions, and has a full-dome digital planetarium that “ immerses viewers into the night sky.” If you are a regular at the observatory you will take note of the  Thomas Cooke telescope which adds to the observatory’s “ primary legacy to house historical items.”  The Thomas Cooke telescope was one of the observatory’s first pieces of equipment and  is used for public observation, while the Ruth Crisp Telescope, which arrived in the 1960s is used for astronomy research. Dawn Muir of the observatory says the Carter Observatory has been a “wonderful legacy for our city.”  
A private function will be held to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the observatory’s existence.  The observatory is well known for it’s ongoing educational programs, which have helped locals gain a deeper understanding of the night sky.  The observatory has plenty on during December.  Here Comes The Sun is a mystery summer trail at the observatory where visitors can search through the multi-media space galleries for a “ hidden sun.”  Families are also invited to the Solstice Celebration where they can explore local stars. The Carter Observatory will also offer something special for Christmas Eve and New Years Eve with a special evening for families with the multi-media centre open until 9.30 pm on those nights – and the telescope will be open for searching the stars.
 
Carter Observatory, 70th anniversary, December 20
Here comes the sun, Carter Observatory, December 17
Solstice Celebration, Carter Observatory, December 21
Email This Print

0 Comments

Don't worry, we wont make this public

No comments.

Cover Story

Best of Wellington 2011

Briefs

  • A question of nutrition

    Controversial Washington-based nutritionist Sally Fallon-Morell is to speak in Wellington on March 29.
    Fallon-Morell is the co-founder of the American food lobby group the Weston A. Price Foundation and the author of Nourishing Traditions. She advocates for the consumption of nutritionally dense foods such as lacto-fermented vegetables, stocks and broths, and whole raw dairy products.
    Fallon-Morell will speak at St Patrick’s College Hall on March 29.

  • Relay for cancer

    Organisers say Sunday’s Relay for Life is full to capacity with hundreds of Wellingtonians registered for the event.
    A total of 88 teams, made up of 10 to 500 members, plan to take part with a further 25 teams on the waiting list.
    The 24 hour relay, the Cancer Society’s biggest fundraising event of the year, takes place at Frank Kitts Park from 4pm on March 31.

  • Osteoarthritis awareness

    Arthritis New Zealand has launched a nationwide campaign raise awareness about osteoarthritis. 
    Arthritis is New Zealand’s leading cause of disability, affecting 305,000 adults, and osteoarthritis is its most common form.
    The campaign features television commercials and an interactive website.


  • Wild walk

    Take part in the Big Walk at Zealandia on March 31.
    Walkers can choose a two, five or 10 kilometre walk catering to all fitness levels.
    Money raised will go to the Foundation for Youth Development.

  • School pool

    The opening of the new Khandallah School pool this week means hundreds of children will be able to continue their swimming lessons.
    The pool was the first to receive a grant from Wellington City Council’s Schools Pools Partnership Fund, a fund set up in 2010 to help schools improve their pool facilities.
    Grants from the fund have also been made for pools at Wellington East Girls’ College, Barhampore School and Tawa School.

  • Easter bikers

    Motorcyclists are invited to get on their bikes and collect Easter eggs for families support from the Wellington City Mission.
    The charity run on April 1 is organised by motorcycle lobby group BONZ.
    Eggs can be donated at Red Baron Motorcylces in Alicetown. The registration fee for bikers is $10, plus the cost of Easter eggs.

  • Crafty

    Made on Marion opens on the site of the former Golding Handicrafts site in Marion St, from April 1.  They will continue to supply craft materials.

  • Ze upgrade

    Taranaki Street fuel users will notice that the Z Energy’s former Shell Service Station is closed.  Z are doing a “total revamp”.
    The job will take four weeks.

  • Newlands Moves

    Developer Ayal Aharoni has agreed to build only 90 instead of 220 houses on his six and a half hectares above Ngauranga Gorge in Newlands.  Only low density occupation will be allowed on the remaining 8.4 hectares.


  • Baring Head

    There's a new  draft plan out for what should happen at Baring Head.  It outlines how the Greater Wellington Regional council would like to manage the newest addition to its regional parks network. Grazing animals will go, motorised vehicles will be prohibited, predators will be controlled, and the lighthouse will be preserved. Submissions are invited.


  • It’s a wonder

    A new childcare centre in Newtown says it is dedicated to helping kids grow up healthy in mind, body and spirit. Little Wonders Childcare on Rintoul Street is an independent early childhood education and learning centre, the sixth centre to be opened by its Auckland-based owner. It caters to 100 children aged between three months and five years old and has been open for a little more than seven weeks.

  • Festival treats

    CHILDREN have not been forgotten by organisers of the New Zealand International Arts Festival.
    For a perfect first theatrical experience White tells the story of friends Cotton and Winkle who live in a world where there is no colour and everything is startlingly white. That is until a brightly coloured egg tumbles out of the sky and changes their world for ever.
    White plays at Capital E from March 7-11.
    The tale of Peter and the World also promises to be a magical night for all ages. Sergei Prokofiev’s classic children’s tale is told through film and live music from the NZ Symphony Orchestra at the Michael Fowler Centre on March 9.
    March 11 is Young Writers and Readers Day and readings from children’s writers and illustrators Lynley Dodd and Gavin Bishop.

Reader's Poll

Should TVNZ7 be saved as non-commercial?