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THE OBSERVATORY DOME

The observatory at Stargazers features a research grade 14" Celestron CGE Pro 1400XLT telescope in a solar powered rotating dome as it’s main instrument located in a pristine dark sky site.

The telescope is sited on a fully computerised mount and equipped with an astronomical CCD imager, which can also be set up to analyse starlight with a SBIG SGS spectrograph.

Remote computer control of the telescope and the imager makes it easy and comfortable to undertake extended observations through the night from the spaceous observatory office in the main building.

OTHER INSTRUMENTS

Other instruments include giant 6" astronomical binoculars, which offer the closest experience to a space walk you can get... Several other portable instruments including dedicated solar telescopes allow group viewing. Two spare concrete piers allow guests to set up their own instruments.

PLANETARIUM

Spitz Planetarium The observatory office features the classic Spitz A2 planetarium that was formerly located in the Auckland War Memorial Museum and is currently undergoing restoration. This fascinating machine, the first in New Zealand, was partly designed by Albert Einstein and  will be used to give night sky tours when the sky outside is cloudy and also for daytime astronomy shows.

Visitors on Stargazers' dark sky astronomy tours will have a chance to examine the machine and learn how it works and what it can be used for.