Dominion Observatory

Dominion Observatory is a historic building in the Wellington Botanic Garden, New Zealand, built in 1907 and originally known as the Hector Observatory.

About Dominion Observatory

Constructed in 1907, the observatory was first named the Hector Observatory after scientist James Hector, keeping that name until 1925. It replaced an earlier Colonial Observatory that had stood in the Bolton Street Cemetery, and it was designed by architect John Campbell in the Edwardian Baroque style.

History

For much of its working life, Dominion Observatory's main role was maintaining New Zealand Mean Time through astronomical observations, making it as much a timekeeping institution as a research one. It stood vacant from 1993 until 2003, when the Department of Conservation refurbished the building for use by private businesses. The observatory is listed by Heritage New Zealand as a Category 1 Historic Place.

Location & getting there

The building sits within the Wellington Botanic Garden, on New Zealand's North Island, making it easy to combine a visit with a walk through the gardens themselves.

Visiting Dominion Observatory

The observatory building is managed by the Department of Conservation and today houses private business tenants rather than a public astronomy programme; check current access via the Botanic Garden before visiting.

See your named star from here

Long before satellites, this observatory's astronomers watched the sky to keep New Zealand's clocks accurate. A star named through Star Register gives you coordinates any modern telescope could use to find it today. Explore the star catalogue to name your own.