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 Dunedin, New Zealand, where people can look at the stars and planets. It's an astronomical observatory, which means it's built for studying space. You can find it in Robin Hood Park in the Belleknowes area. The observatory was started in 1922 by a group called the Dunedin Astronomical Society (DAS), and it's still their main meeting spot today.
Contents
History of the Observatory
Who Was Beverly-Begg?
The 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 stars.
Building and Upgrades
The main observatory building was opened in 1922. Later, in the 1960s, another part called an annex was added. This annex gives the society more space for meetings and activities.
In 2008, the observatory got a big upgrade. They installed a brand new 35 cm Celestron telescope. This new telescope is very powerful and sits on a special robotic mount, which helps it track objects in space. It also has a camera to take amazing pictures of the night sky.
This new equipment cost a lot of money, about $38,000. It replaced an older 30.5 cm reflector telescope that had been used since 1973. The observatory also spent $9,000 to improve the building itself. They even raised the floor by 1 m and added computer screens to show the images captured by the telescope.
How the Observatory Works
Visiting the Observatory
The Beverly-Begg Observatory is open to the public on Sunday nights. This usually happens during the winter months, when New Zealand daylight saving time is not in use. It's a great chance for anyone to come and look through the telescopes.
If you are part of a school group or a private group, you can also arrange a special visit. You just need to contact the education officer at the Dunedin Astronomical Society to set it up.
What Happens at the Observatory?
The annex building is used by the Dunedin Astronomical Society for their regular meetings and talks. Members of the society can also use the observatory's telescopes and facilities whenever they want to explore the night sky.
