Dominion Observatory, Wellington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dominion Observatory |
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Dominion Observatory
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| General information | |
| Architectural style | Edwardian Baroque |
| Location | Wellington's Botanic Gardens |
| Town or city | Wellington |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Coordinates | 41°17′02.9″S 174°46′05.6″E / 41.284139°S 174.768222°E |
| Completed | 1907 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | John Campbell |
| Designated: | 25 September 1986 |
| Reference #: | 4700 |
The Dominion Observatory is a special historic building. It is located in the beautiful Botanic Gardens in Wellington, New Zealand. An observatory is a place where scientists watch the stars and planets.
This building was the second observatory built in Wellington. It was finished in 1907. At first, it was called the Hector Observatory. This name honored James Hector, an important scientist. In 1925, its name changed to the Dominion Observatory. It was built to replace an older observatory called the Colonial Observatory. That one was located in the Bolton Street Cemetery.
Contents
What the Observatory Did
The main job of the Dominion Observatory was to help keep track of time for New Zealand. It used observations of the stars to figure out the exact time. This was part of a service called the Time Service. It helped set New Zealand Mean Time for the whole country.
How Time Was Kept
Before modern clocks, people used the sun and stars to tell time. Observatories like this one would carefully watch the sky. They used special telescopes to measure when stars crossed certain points. This helped them know the precise time. This accurate time was then shared across New Zealand. It was important for things like train schedules and daily life.
Building Design and History
The Dominion Observatory was designed by a famous architect named John Campbell. He designed it in a style called Edwardian Baroque. This style was popular during the time of King Edward VII. It often features grand, formal buildings with lots of decorative details.
Later Years and Refurbishment
The observatory was used for many years. But by 1993, it was empty. It needed some care and attention. In 2003, the Department of Conservation helped fix it up. After its refurbishment, the building was made ready for other uses. It is now used by private businesses.
