Stardome and the Auckland Observatory in Auckland

Address of Stardome and the Auckland Observatory in Auckland: One Tree Hill Domain, off Manukau Rd, Royal Oak 1345.

Contact no. of Stardome and the Auckland Observatory in Auckland: Telephone 64 9 624 1246 - Fax 64 9 625 2394

Email at Stardome and the Auckland Observatory in Auckland: info@stardome.org.nz

Features of Stardome and the Auckland Observatory in Auckland

Stardome and the Auckland Observatory in Auckland was previously known as Auckland Observatory. It is a public astronomical observatory situated in New Zealand's largest city, Auckland. Stardome and the Auckland Observatory in Auckland was founded in 1967. It is administered by the Auckland Observatory and Planetarium Trust Board. The Trust Board was created by the Auckland Astronomical Society (AAS) in 1956. The Stardome and the Auckland Observatory in Auckland is also home to the AAS. Stardome receives approximately 55,000 visitors per year. The other features of Stardome and the Auckland Observatory in Auckland include:

  -   The 1,000 square meters facility has two telescope domes and a planetarium.

  -   The observatory has three primary functions -public outreach, education and research.

  -   There is also a permanent staff of 9 people who are supported by about 12 part-time staff and some 30 volunteers.

  -   The Zeiss ZKP3 planetarium was installed in 1996 and seats 88 people within the 11 metre dome. Some of the shows have been produced by the Stardome while others have been purchased and modified for local use.

  -   The primary fixed telescope is the 0.5 m Edith Winstone Blackwell Telescope (EWB) which is a classical Cassegrain reflector (f/13.3) manufactured by Carl Zeiss of Jena. It was installed in late 1966.

  -   In 1988, the observatory participated in the discovery of the atmosphere of Pluto by measuring the brightness change as the planet passed in front of a star.

  -   The Observatory is a member of the micro FUN collaboration which attempts to detect extra-solar planets by gravitational microlensing. Micro FUN is based at the Astronomy Department of Ohio State University and coordinates the observation of high-magnification microlensing events.

  -   It also contributes to the Center for Backyard Astrophysics (CBA) in New York as CBA-Auckland.

  -   Stardome makes regular astrometric observations of comets and near-Earth objects (NEOs) for the Minor Planet Center.

  -   Research at Stardome is done on a voluntary basis.

  -   Stardome delivers an information resource and edutainment experience to close to 60,000 New Zealanders every year, 60% of which are children.