Beverly-Begg Observatory facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Beverly-Begg Observatory |
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Observatory building, December 2007
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| Code | R58 |
| Location | Belleknowes, Dunedin, New Zealand |
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Coordinates
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45°52′21″S 170°29′30″E / 45.87249°S 170.49163°E
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| Altitude | 140 metres (460 ft) |
| Established | 1922 |
The Beverly-Begg Observatory is a special place in New Zealand where people study the stars and planets. It's an astronomical observatory located in Robin Hood Park in Dunedin, a city in New Zealand. The Dunedin Astronomical Society (DAS) started this observatory in 1922, and it's still their main home today.
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Discovering the Beverly-Begg Observatory
This observatory is named after two important local astronomers: Arthur Beverly (who lived from 1822 to 1907) and John Campbell Begg (who lived from 1876 to 1965). They both loved studying the night sky.
How the Observatory Has Grown
Over the years, the observatory has changed and improved. In the 1960s, an extra building called an "annex" was added. This gave the society more space.
In September 2008, the society got a brand new, powerful telescope. It was a 35-centimeter Celestron telescope, which is much bigger than many you might see. This new telescope came with a special robotic mount called a Software Bisque Paramount ME. This mount helps the telescope move very precisely and even takes pictures! This new equipment cost about $38,000. It replaced an older 30.5-centimeter reflector telescope that had been used since 1973. The observatory also spent $9,000 to make other improvements, like raising the floor by 1 meter and adding computer screens to show the amazing images captured by the telescope.
Visiting the Observatory
The Beverly-Begg Observatory is a great place to learn about space.
Public Viewing Nights
If you want to visit, the observatory is open to the public on Sunday nights. This usually happens during the winter months when New Zealand is not using daylight saving time. It's a chance for anyone to come and look through the telescopes.
Learning for Groups
Schools and other groups can also arrange special visits. If your class or group wants to learn more about astronomy, you can contact the Dunedin Astronomical Society's education officer to set up a time.
What the Society Does There
The annex building is used by the Dunedin Astronomical Society for their meetings and talks. It's where members gather to share their discoveries and learn from each other. Members of the society can also use the observatory's telescopes and other equipment for their own stargazing and research.
