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]
Location | New Zealand | ||
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Coordinates | 37°46′24″S 175°13′01″E / 37.7733°S 175.2169°E | ||
Altitude | 40 m (130 ft) | ||
Telescopes | |||
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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 and third Wednesdays of every month at 7:30pm (8:30pm during daylight saving).[5]
History
editThe 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
edit- ^ "Hamilton Astronomical Society - About the Observatory". Hamilton Astronomical Society. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
- ^ "An Observatory - Position in Hamilton - Society's hopes unfulfilled". Waikato Times. No. 20556. 21 July 1938. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
- ^ "Hamilton Astronomical Society - About the Society". Hamilton Astronomical Society. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
- ^ "Equipment". Hamilton Astronomical Society. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
- ^ "Hamilton Astronomical Society - Public Viewing Nights". Hamilton Astronomical Society. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
- ^ Anmer, Bessie (2005). Star struck : a brief history of the Hamilton Astronomical Society, 1933-2003. B. M. L. Amner. ISBN 9780473107550.