Tauranga astronomers are in seventh heaven after installing their new $14,000 telescope in the city's first astronomical observatory.
The American Meade 14-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain reflector telescope now takes pride of place in the observatory at the corner of Fergusson Park's new multi-purpose clubhouse.
Sitting on its own concrete pedestal independent of the rest
of the building, the telescope was installed last Friday by members of the Tauranga Astronomical Society.
Sliding back the roof reveals a night sky unsurpassed for a suburban city location in New Zealand, despite the port lights.
Vice-president Stuart Murray said the club had entered a new phase in its short 10-year history.
Although members get the clearest view of the night sky through the eyepiece, the real magic of the observatory awaits the fitting of a computer-guided system on to the telescope mount.
It will zero in on practically any object in the night sky by punching in co-ordinates on a remote control, with the images projected on to a screen in the clubhouse lounge.
The Meade was up to international research standards and had a much clearer optical system than normal telescopes. It should be fully operational by the time noted New Zealand astronomer Dr Grant Christie visits in a fortnight.
Mr Murray said the society hoped the observatory would encourage more young people into astronomy.
"We want to encourage the public to see the wonders that are out there."
He said that many of the 50 members had never viewed in real time what the observatory will reveal.
And although portions of the sky could not be viewed from the observatory's position, the advantages of being right in town were important to promoting astronomy.
The observatory will allow Tauranga's keen amateur astronomers to follow night sky projects with far more ease than ever before.
"It is a marvellous facility. We are thankful to the council and the others that provided the money," Mr Murray said.
