Hamilton Astronomical Society Observatory

Hamilton Astronomical Society Observatory
LocationNew Zealand
Coordinates37°46′24″S 175°13′01″E / 37.7733°S 175.2169°E / -37.7733; 175.2169
Altitude40 m (130 ft)
Telescopes
24" Cassegrain
Classical Cassegrain

The Hamilton Astronomical Society Observatory is located next to the Hamilton Zoo in Brymer Road to the west of Hamilton City, New Zealand.[1] The Hamilton Astronomical Society was founded on 3 July 1933[2] and is one of New Zealand's oldest astronomical societies.[3]

The observatory instruments include one 24" Classical cassegrain telescope, a 14" and 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, a Lunt 60mm Solar telescope, an 8" Dobsonian telescope, and two 12" Dobsonian telescopes.[4]

The observatory is open to the public on the first Wednesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. (8:30 p.m. during daylight saving).[5]

History

The Hamilton Astronomical Society's first dedicated meeting house was the observatory, built at the Hamilton Zoo site in 1984.[6] The observing dome for the 24" Classical Cassegrain telescope was completed in 1997, and opened by Sir Patrick Moore.

References

  1. ↑ "Hamilton Astronomical Society - About the Observatory". Hamilton Astronomical Society. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  2. ↑ "An Observatory - Position in Hamilton - Society's hopes unfulfilled". Waikato Times. No. 20556. 21 July 1938. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  3. ↑ "Hamilton Astronomical Society - About the Society". Hamilton Astronomical Society. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  4. ↑ "Equipment". Hamilton Astronomical Society. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
  5. ↑ "Hamilton Astronomical Society - Public Viewing Nights". Hamilton Astronomical Society. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  6. ↑ Anmer, Bessie (2005). Star struck : a brief history of the Hamilton Astronomical Society, 1933-2003. B. M. L. Amner. ISBN 9780473107550.