Ward Observatory

Ward Observatory

The Ward Observatory is an astronomical observatory in Whanganui, New Zealand. It was built in 1901 and is administered by the Wanganui Astronomical Society. It was named after Joseph Ward (1862–1927), the society's first president, and longtime director of the observatory.[1][2] A later stalwart of the Society was Charles Whitmore Babbage, grandson of Charles Babbage.[3]

The observatory houses a 24 centimetres (9.4 in) telescope, the largest unmodified refractor telescope in use in New Zealand.

Located in Cooks Gardens, access to the observatory is from St Hill Street.

Public viewing is on Friday evenings from after dark, or by arrangement with the Astronomical Society. School groups can attend by appointment.

On 28 June 1984, the Ward Observatory was registered by Heritage New Zealand as a Category I structure, with registration number 170.[4]

References

  1. ↑ Orchiston, Wayne. "Joseph Thomas Ward". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved December 2011.
  2. ↑ "Wanganui Observatory". Wanganui Chronicle. XXXXVII (11953). 23 May 1903. p. 5. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  3. ↑ "Concerning People". The Register. LXXXI (21662). 13 April 1916. p. 4. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  4. ↑ "Ward Observatory". Register of Historic Places. Heritage New Zealand. Retrieved 10 April 2011.

Coordinates: 39°55′59″S 175°02′57″E / 39.933086°S 175.049112°E