Cawthron Atkinson Observatory facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Atkinson Observatory |
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| Organization | Nelson Science Society |
| Location | Clifton Terrace School, Nelson, New Zealand |
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Coordinates
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41°13′31″S 173°19′18″E / 41.2253°S 173.3216°E
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| Established | 2008 (1883) |
The Cawthron Atkinson Observatory is a special place where people can look at the stars and planets. It is located in Nelson, New Zealand, on the grounds of Clifton Terrace School. Before moving here, it was in a different spot called Pipers Park for many years.
An observatory is a building with a powerful telescope. It helps us see far-off objects in space. This observatory helps people learn more about the universe.
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About the Atkinson Observatory
The Cawthron Atkinson Observatory is a fantastic spot for anyone interested in space. It lets you explore the night sky up close. It's a great place to learn about stars, planets, and galaxies.
How It All Started
The observatory first opened way back in 1883. It was founded by a man named Arthur Atkinson. He loved looking at the stars and was a keen amateur astronomer. An astronomer is someone who studies space. Arthur Atkinson was also a Member of Parliament for Nelson. This means he was a person elected to help make laws for the country.
In 1982, a newer building for the observatory was opened. This showed how important it was to the community.
A New Beginning
The observatory moved to its current location and got its new name, Cawthron Atkinson Observatory. It officially reopened on 12 April 2008. Before this, a lot of work was done to fix up the building. They also refurbished the main telescope, which was 129 years old!
Many people and groups helped pay for this big project. For example, the Cawthron Trust donated NZ$50,000. This money helped make the observatory a modern and exciting place.
Who Runs the Observatory?
The Nelson Science Society looks after the observatory. Specifically, their Astronomy Section manages it. This society is part of the Royal Society of New Zealand.
They often hold special events called Star Parties at the observatory. These parties happen once a month. At a Star Party, you can look through the telescope and learn about different celestial objects. The society also has meetings on the first Thursday of every month. These meetings are held at the Cawthron Institute in Nelson.
