Thomas King Observatory

Perched at the top of the Botanic Garden in Wellington, New Zealand, the Thomas King Observatory is one of the country's oldest surviving astronomical buildings, and a well-loved part of the capital's skyline.

About Thomas King Observatory

The observatory forms part of the wider Carter Observatory complex, today managed as Space Place at Carter Observatory. Over its long life it has served as a site for research, heritage preservation, education and public astronomy outreach in Wellington.

History

Thomas King Observatory dates back to 1912, making it more than a century old. In recognition of its heritage value, it was added to the Heritage New Zealand list as a Category II historic place in 2021.

Telescopes & research

Its principal instrument is a 5-inch Grubb refractor, built in Dublin in 1882 and refurbished in 2001. The telescope has long supported both scientific observation and the public promotion of astronomy from its Botanic Garden home.

Location & getting there

The observatory sits within Wellington's Botanic Garden, a green hillside reserve overlooking the city, with the site managed by the Department of Conservation.

Visiting Thomas King Observatory

As part of the Botanic Garden and the Carter Observatory site, it is accessible to visitors exploring Wellington's astronomy heritage; check the current Space Place at Carter Observatory listings before you go for opening times and events.

See your named star from here

Because any named star's position is fixed by its coordinates, staff at an observatory like this one can help locate it in the night sky. If you'd like to name a star of your own, browse the full star catalogue to choose one first.