Image: Carkeek Observatory MRD 07
Description: The Carkeek Observatory, built around 1867 of locally-milled tōtara and hand-made iron nails, is New Zealand's oldest surviving observatory. It was constructed by Stephen Carkeek, a retired customs officer and keen amateur astronomer, in the front garden of his sheep farm. After Carkeek's death in 1878 the observatory became a storage shed and gradually fell into ruin. A walnut tree has grown through the transit annex, but the octagonal viewing room has collapsed. The iron track and wheels that once rotated the canvas dome can still be seen.
Title: Carkeek Observatory MRD 07
Credit: Own work
Author: Mike Dickison
Usage Terms: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
License: CC BY 4.0
License Link: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Attribution Required?: Yes
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