Nankivell Observatory
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Nankivell Observatory is a small astronomical facility in the Wairarapa region of New Zealand, named after master optical craftsman Garry Nankivell.
About Nankivell Observatory
The observatory houses an 8-inch Schmidt Camera paired with a 6-inch guide refractor, both built by Garry Nankivell, the optical craftsman after whom the site is named. It is set to become part of the Matariki Research Observatory, a project under development by members of the Phoenix Astronomical Society (NZ).
Telescopes & research
Its main instrument, the 8-inch Schmidt Camera with 6-inch guide refractor, is intended to support wide-field astronomical photography once incorporated into the wider Matariki Research Observatory project.
Location & getting there
The observatory is situated in the Wairarapa, a rural region on the North Island of New Zealand, at around 41°S, 175.6°E.
Visiting Nankivell Observatory
As a small society-linked facility that is still being incorporated into a larger project, current visiting arrangements should be checked directly with the Phoenix Astronomical Society (NZ) before planning a trip.
See your named star from here
Instruments built for wide-field photography, like the Schmidt Camera at Nankivell Observatory, are well suited to locating a star at the precise coordinates you receive when you name one through star-register. Explore our star-naming packages or browse the star catalogue.
Opening hours and public-visit programs vary by season. Check Google Maps for current times before you travel.
