Carter Observatory
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| Carter Observatory | |
 The Carter Observatory, showing the Thomas Cooke telescope dome |
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| Building information | |
|---|---|
| Town | Wellington |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Coordinates | Coordinates: |
| Construction start date | 1937 |
| Completion date | 1941 |
The Carter Observatory stands at the top of the Botanic Gardens in Wellington, New Zealand. It carries out research, preservation of heritage, education and promotion of astronomy to the public.
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[edit] History
The name commemorates Charles Rooking Carter, who gifted his estate to what later became the Royal Society of New Zealand for the purposes of establishing an astronomical observatory in or near Wellington. Parliament established the Carter Observatory in 1937; it opened in 1941, following some delays caused by the beginnings of World War II.
The observatory became a base for astronomical research in New Zealand. Research began with solar investigations and when new staff joined during the 1970s it expanded to variable stars, galaxies, comets and asteroids. The observatory has had formal research programmes and assists amateur astronomers to perform their own research.
The Carter Observatory became New Zealand's National Observatory in 1977. Its recent focus has moved from research to tourism, as well as education and the promotion of astronomy.
In December 2007, 7 of the 9 permanent staff were made redundant, as "the changing nature of the observatory means there will be fewer jobs available once it has been refurbished." [1].
[edit] Facilities
The Carter Observatory operates two main telescopes within its main building and a third telescope nearby. The Thomas Cooke telescope, an historic 9 3/4-inch Cooke Refractor named after Thomas Cooke, serves primarily for public observing sessions. The Ruth Crisp telescope, described below, arrived as a donation in the 1960s. Not far from its main building, the Carter Observatory operates the Thomas King Observatory, used until recently for public viewing of the sun.
The Carter Observatory also operates a planetarium with a ZKP1 Zeiss projector, a small lecture-theatre, a shop and several offices. The Observatory maintained a library of astronomical journals and literature until early 2005, but then dispersed the collection due to inadequate funding for its continued maintenance.
[edit] The Ruth Crisp telescope
The Ruth Crisp telescope, a research-grade 41-cm (16-inch) reflecting telescope made by Boller and Chivens of the USA, came to the observatory in the 1960s thanks to a donation by Ruth Crisp. Once used for research at the Carter Observatory's outstation at Black Birch, in the South Island of New Zealand, it later moved to the main premises in Wellington.
A grant from Pub Charity allowed improvements to the installation in December 2005: the Observatory had the dome motorised and the primary and secondary mirrors re-aluminised. Efforts have commenced to start a research programme based around the facility, possibly involving deep-sky imaging, microlensing capability and photometry.
[edit] The Thomas King Observatory
The Carter Observatory also operates the nearby Thomas King Observatory. Astronomers have maintained its 12.5 cm (5-inch) telescope (made in 1882 by Grubb in Dublin) in good condition throughout its nearly 125-year history.
Last refurbished in May 2001, the Thomas King telescope served until recently for public viewing of the sun, with a hydrogen-alpha filter attached. The filter has since transferred to a telescope mounted to the side of the Thomas Cooke refractor in the main observatory building.
[edit] Current operations
Since reducing its research programmes, the Carter Observatory has focused on the promotion and education of astronomy. Recently the observatory developed unit standards for an NCEA certificate in astronomy, teaching courses by correspondence, although the future of the programme depends on obtaining government education subsidies.
In 2006 several hundred visitors enjoyed a "Saturn weekend" of lectures and viewing. Viewers at all three observatories could clearly see the Cassini Division and the cloud bands. A small historic telescope, similar to that used by Galileo, also served for public viewing — a fitting tribute to the astronomer who first saw the rings of Saturn in 1610.
Currently Carter Observatory is under refurbishment and expected to reopen in Spring 2008
[edit] Events
Recent events at Carter Observatory have included musical performances, seminars and celebrations of Mata Ora, the time of the Polynesian migration to Aotearoa. Maori navigation and star-lore have figured increasingly in discussions about astronomy in New Zealand.
[edit] Gallery
 Ruth Crisp Dome and entrance to the Carter Observatory |
 Carter Observatory |
 Ruth Crisp telescope: setting dials |
 Graham Loftus at the Ruth Crisp Telescope |
 Carter Observatory - Thomas Cooke telescope |
 Photo of the sun taken at Carter Observatory (Thomas Cooke telescope) |
 Carter Observatory - Thomas King Observatory |
 Saturn (Thomas King telescope) |
[edit] See also
- Gifford Observatory, also located in Wellington
- Ruth Crisp (discussion on the Boller and Chivens telescope and the Ruth Crisp facility)
- Thomas King (New Zealand)
- Carter Observatory, Black Birch Station
