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Stardome Observatory & Planetarium (IAU observatory code 467, previously known as Auckland Observatory) is a public astronomical observatory and planetarium situated in Maungakiekie/One Tree Hill Domain in Auckland, New Zealand.

Stardome has operated from its premises in Auckland's Maungakiekie One Tree Hill Domain since 1967 and has operated as a place of exploration, research and sharing of knowledge ever since.

Stardome's history began in 1948 when the Auckland Astronomical Society began fundraising for a public observatory in Auckland. By 1956 they had significant funds, including a substantial bequest from Mrs Edith Winstone Blackwell^[1] for the purchase of a telescope for public use. The Society formed the Auckland Observatory and Planetarium Trust Board to build on these funds and provide for the construction and management of a new observatory.

In 1960 One Tree Hill Borough Council provided a 21-year lease, which has been subsequently extended, for a site in One Tree Hill Domain (which Stardome still occupies), and in March 1967 the Observatory opened.^[2]

Relocation to Maungakiekie One Tree Hill Domain

Originally the Auckland Museum^[3] operated a planetarium which had been donated by the Farmers Trading Company^[4] in 1958. The planetarium at the museum closed in 1989, allowing Stardome the opportunity to build a replacement planetarium. Fundraising was undertaken with a clear vision to provide the country with the best facility possible.

Major funding from the Lotteries Commission, the ASB Community Trust, a loan from the Auckland City Council and donations from the Auckland public raised nearly $3 million for the project. The new planetarium and associated facilities opened in February 1997 and the 11 metre domed planetarium cinema remains the largest and most advanced in New Zealand.

Stardome is now a trusted centre for sharing astronomy and mātauranga Māori in Auckland. It offers visitors the experience of learning with entertainment in a planetarium and observatory environment, and allows visitors to explore the interconnections between people, Earth, and the cosmos. Stardome is a registered charity.

Stardome is grateful for the support it receives from the ratepayers of Auckland and Auckland Council through the Auckland Regional Funding Board (ARAFB).

Premises and location

Stardome Observatory & Planetarium is located at 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland 1023, within Maungakiekie One Tree Hill Domain. The 1,000 square metre facility has two telescope domes, (one available for public viewing sessions), a 75 seat planetarium, gallery and exhibition space, a retail shop, outdoor courtyard telescope space, and space for education groups as well as private hire.

Education at Stardome

Stardome Observatory and Planetarium is committed to ensuring that celestial stories, astronomy, mātauranga Māori and cosmological science are shared with integrity and honour, allowing visitors to explore the interconnections between people, Earth, and the cosmos.

Stardome is a recognised ELC (Enriching Local Curriculum) provider, and its education programme is driven by learning objectives that align with Te Whāriki, the New Zealand curriculum, and Te Marautanga.

Stardome is a member of Auckland's GLAM sector, and Te Kāhui Toi Ihiihi – an initiative designed to support Māori Medium ākonga to participate in ELC education within Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.

In addition to the ELC programme, sessions are also provided for kindergarten and pre-schoolers, university students, defence staff (primarily celestial navigation), geo-survey students, senior groups, corporate and other specialised groups. Bookings usually comprise a planetarium feature show, a night-sky planetarium presentation, time exploring the exhibits and displays, a selection from a 'classroom' session and other activities such as a water bottle rocket launch demonstration, Matariki focus, and telescope viewing.

Auckland Astronomical Society

The Auckland Astronomical Society meets at Stardome on the first four Mondays of every month. The Society offers educational sessions, speakers and lecturers, practical astronomy advice, documentary screening, and educational outreach in the community.

Minor planets discovered: 1 ^[5]
19620 Auckland	18 August 1999	MPC

Research by Auckland Astronomical Society

In 1969, the observatory constructed a UBV photoelectric photometer with assistance from the University of Auckland. This photometer on the Zeiss telescope became a very successful instrument and produced a significant number of published research papers. Probably the most important discovery was the phenomenon of "super-humps" in the SU Ursae Majoris class of cataclysmic binary stars^[6] in 1974.

In 1988, the observatory participated in the discovery of the atmosphere of Pluto by measuring the brightness change as the planet passed in front of a star.

During the 1980s the Zeiss telescope was used to support several doctoral students from the University of Auckland (most notably Rodger Freeth), including the development of a new computer-controlled photon counting photometer. Regular UBV photometry of variable stars continued until 1998 when a CCD camera was first used.

In 1999, a Celestron C-14 Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope was provided by the Nustrini family for installation in the newly built second dome at Stardome Observatory. A grant from the ASB Trust was used to buy a Paramount GT1100s mounting (manufactured by Software Bisque) and an Apogee AP8p CCD camera. The Apogee camera has a back-illuminated SITe003 CCD (1024×1024 24-micrometre pixels). The field of view is 22 arc-minutes. The 0.35 m (f/11) Nustrini telescope is used only for research. In 2006 the Celestron C-14 telescope was replaced by a 40 cm Meade ACF (F/10) and in 2008 CCD camera was replaced by a SBIG ST-6303. The Meade ACF telescope uses an OG530 Orange Schott Optical Glass Filter.

Stardome Observatory & Planetarium is a member of the microFUN collaboration^[7] which attempts to detect extra-solar planets by gravitational microlensing. MicroFUN is based at the Astronomy Department of Ohio State University and coordinates the observation of high-magnification microlensing events. In April 2005, microFUN contributed significantly to the discovery of a Jovian-mass planet (OGLE-2005-BLG-071L^[8]^[9]), the second planet to be detected in this way. In 2005, the Stardome contributed 250 hours of time-series photometry to this collaboration.

Stardome also contributes to the Center for Backyard Astrophysics (CBA)^[10] in New York City as CBA-Auckland.^[11] This professional-amateur network monitors selected cataclysmic binary stars and contributes to the understanding of these objects. During 2005, over 250 hours of observations where contributed to the CBA.

The research telescope at Stardome is used to make regular astrometric observations of comets and near-Earth objects (NEOs) for the Minor Planet Center.^[12] In 2004, observations were made of the NEO 2004 FH which was at the time the closest natural object detected from Earth (43,000 km). CCD photometry obtained at Stardome showed that the object was rotating in 3 minutes, the fastest rotation rate measured for any solar system object.^[13]

Research at Stardome is performed on a voluntary basis by members of the Auckland Astronomical Society.

**Edith Winstone Blackwell Telescope**
Physical characteristics
Organization	Stardome Observatory
Location	One Tree Hill, Auckland, New Zealand
Wavelength regime	optical
Completion date	1966
Webpage	www.stardome.org.nz
Telescope style	Cassegrain
Diameter	0.5 m
Collecting area	0.72 m²
Focal length	6.65 m
Mounting	equatorial
Dome	spherical

Edith Winstone Blackwell Telescope (Zeiss telescope)

The primary fixed telescope is the 0.5 m Edith Winstone Blackwell Telescope (EWB) which is a classical Cassegrain reflector (f/13.3) manufactured by Carl Zeiss of Jena.^[14] It was installed in late 1966 and is one of about 20 comparable instruments produced by Zeiss. It is mounted on an offset German equatorial mount. The optical tube assembly weighs about 500 kg and the overall weight, including the mount, is 2500 kg.

The Zeiss telescope was purchased with money from a gift to the people of Auckland by the late Edith Winstone Blackwell MBE. It has been heavily used for both public viewing and research since being commissioned in 1967.

References

^ "Edith Winstone Blackwell", Wikipedia, 2023-05-23, retrieved 2024-09-04
^ ""Not in my Backyard" – The Construction of the Auckland Observatory". Auckland History Initiative. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
^ "Auckland War Memorial Museum", Wikipedia, 2024-08-08, retrieved 2024-09-04
^ "Farmers Trading Company", Wikipedia, 2024-07-29, retrieved 2024-09-04
^ "Minor Planet Discoverers (by number)". Minor Planet Center. 14 November 2016. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
^ http://www.konkoly.hu/cgi-bin/IBVS?0864 ^{[dead link‍]}
^ "MicroFUN 2005". Archived from the original on 2006-01-02. Retrieved 2006-02-08.
^ Udalski, A.; Jaroszynski, M.; Paczynski, B.; Kubiak, M.; Szymanski, M. K.; Soszynski, I.; Pietrzynski, G.; Ulaczyk, K.; Szewczyk, O.; Wyrzykowski, L.; Christie, G. W.; DePoy, D. L.; Dong, S.; Gal-Yam, A.; Gaudi, B. S.; Gould, A.; Han, C.; Lépine, S.; McCormick, J.; Park, B.-G.; Pogge, R. W.; Bennett, D. P.; Bond, I. A.; Muraki, Y.; Tristram, P. J.; Yock, P. C. M.; Beaulieu, J.-P.; Bramich, D. M.; Dieters, S. W.; Greenhill, J.; Hill, K.; Horne, K.; Kubas, D. (2005). "A Jovian-Mass Planet in Microlensing Event OGLE-2005-BLG-071". The Astrophysical Journal. 628 (2): L109. arXiv:astro-ph/0505451. Bibcode:2005ApJ...628L.109U. doi:10.1086/432795. S2CID 7425167.
^ Udalski, A.; et al. (2005). "A Jovian-Mass Planet in Microlensing Event OGLE-2005-BLG-071". The Astrophysical Journal. 628 (2): L109 – L112. arXiv:astro-ph/0505451. Bibcode:2005ApJ...628L.109U. doi:10.1086/432795. S2CID 7425167.
^ "CBA - Center for Backyard Astrophysics". Archived from the original on 2006-02-20. Retrieved 2006-02-20.
^ "CBA - Center for Backyard Astrophysics". Archived from the original on 2006-09-07. Retrieved 2006-02-09.
^ Minor Planet Center (MPC) – About, Services and Publications
^ Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams (Circular No. 8310) – 2004 FH
^ "History". www.zeiss.com. Retrieved 2024-09-04.

External links

36°54′21.52″S 174°46′36.25″E / 36.9059778°S 174.7767361°E / -36.9059778; 174.7767361

[1] "Edith Winstone Blackwell", Wikipedia, 2023-05-23, retrieved 2024-09-04

[2] ""Not in my Backyard" – The Construction of the Auckland Observatory". Auckland History Initiative. Retrieved 2024-09-04.

[3] "Auckland War Memorial Museum", Wikipedia, 2024-08-08, retrieved 2024-09-04

[4] "Farmers Trading Company", Wikipedia, 2024-07-29, retrieved 2024-09-04

[MPC-Discoverers-5] "Minor Planet Discoverers (by number)". Minor Planet Center. 14 November 2016. Retrieved 29 November 2016.

[6] ttp://www.konkoly.hu/cgi-bin/IBVS?0864 ^{[dead link‍]}

[7] "MicroFUN 2005". Archived from the original on 2006-01-02. Retrieved 2006-02-08.

[8] Udalski, A.; Jaroszynski, M.; Paczynski, B.; Kubiak, M.; Szymanski, M. K.; Soszynski, I.; Pietrzynski, G.; Ulaczyk, K.; Szewczyk, O.; Wyrzykowski, L.; Christie, G. W.; DePoy, D. L.; Dong, S.; Gal-Yam, A.; Gaudi, B. S.; Gould, A.; Han, C.; Lépine, S.; McCormick, J.; Park, B.-G.; Pogge, R. W.; Bennett, D. P.; Bond, I. A.; Muraki, Y.; Tristram, P. J.; Yock, P. C. M.; Beaulieu, J.-P.; Bramich, D. M.; Dieters, S. W.; Greenhill, J.; Hill, K.; Horne, K.; Kubas, D. (2005). "A Jovian-Mass Planet in Microlensing Event OGLE-2005-BLG-071". The Astrophysical Journal. 628 (2): L109. arXiv:astro-ph/0505451. Bibcode:2005ApJ...628L.109U. doi:10.1086/432795. S2CID 7425167.

[9] Udalski, A.; et al. (2005). "A Jovian-Mass Planet in Microlensing Event OGLE-2005-BLG-071". The Astrophysical Journal. 628 (2): L109 – L112. arXiv:astro-ph/0505451. Bibcode:2005ApJ...628L.109U. doi:10.1086/432795. S2CID 7425167.

[10] "CBA - Center for Backyard Astrophysics". Archived from the original on 2006-02-20. Retrieved 2006-02-20.

[11] "CBA - Center for Backyard Astrophysics". Archived from the original on 2006-09-07. Retrieved 2006-02-09.

[12] Minor Planet Center (MPC) – About, Services and Publications

[13] Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams (Circular No. 8310) – 2004 FH

[14] "History". www.zeiss.com. Retrieved 2024-09-04.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Short description|Astronomical observatory in New Zealand}}
+{{Short description|Astronomical observatory and planetarium in Auckland, New Zealand}}
 {{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2024}}
 {{more citations needed|date=October 2014}}
-[[File:Stardome Observatory Cornwall Park.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|The Stardome Observatory from the southwest]]
+[[File:Stardome Observatory Cornwall Park.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|Stardome Observatory & Planetarium from the southwest]]
-'''Stardome Observatory''' ([[IAU]] observatory code 467, previously known as '''Auckland Observatory''') is a public [[astronomical observatory]] situated in [[Maungakiekie / One Tree Hill|Maungakiekie/One Tree Hill Domain]] in [[Auckland, New Zealand]].
+'''Stardome Observatory & Planetarium''' ([[IAU]] observatory code 467, previously known as '''Auckland Observatory''') is a public [[astronomical observatory]] and planetarium situated in [[Maungakiekie / One Tree Hill|Maungakiekie/One Tree Hill Domain]] in [[Auckland, New Zealand]].
+Stardome has operated from its premises in Auckland's Maungakiekie One Tree Hill Domain since 1967 and has operated as a place of exploration, research and sharing of knowledge ever since.
-Founded in 1967, the observatory is administered by the Auckland Observatory and Planetarium Trust Board. The Trust Board was created by the [https://www.astronomy.org.nz/new/public/default.aspx Auckland Astronomical Society] (AAS) in 1956. The society is now based at the observatory.
+Stardome's history began in 1948 when the [https://www.astronomy.org.nz/ Auckland Astronomical Society] began fundraising for a public observatory in Auckland. By 1956 they had significant funds, including a substantial bequest from Mrs Edith Winstone Blackwell<ref>{{Citation |title=Edith Winstone Blackwell |date=2023-05-23 |work=Wikipedia |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edith_Winstone_Blackwell |access-date=2024-09-04 |language=en}}</ref> for the purchase of a telescope for public use. The Society formed the Auckland Observatory and Planetarium Trust Board to build on these funds and provide for the construction and management of a new observatory.
-== Functions ==
-{| class="wikitable floatright" style="font-size: 0.9em; width: 270px;"
-|+ [[Minor planet]]s discovered: 1&thinsp;<ref name="MPC-Discoverers" />
-|-
-| [[19620 Auckland]] || 18 August 1999 || {{MPC|19620}}
-|}
+In 1960 One Tree Hill Borough Council provided a 21-year lease, which has been subsequently extended, for a site in One Tree Hill Domain (which Stardome still occupies), and in March 1967 the Observatory opened.<ref>{{Cite web |title="Not in my Backyard" – The Construction of the Auckland Observatory |url=https://ahi.auckland.ac.nz/2021/07/22/not-in-my-backyard/ |access-date=2024-09-04 |website=Auckland History Initiative |language=en-NZ}}</ref>
-=== Research ===
+== Relocation to Maungakiekie One Tree Hill Domain ==
-In 1969, the observatory (then called '''Auckland Observatory''') constructed a UBV [[Photometry (astronomy)|photoelectric photometer]] with assistance from the [[University of Auckland]]. This photometer on the Zeiss telescope became a very successful instrument and produced a significant number of published research papers. Probably the most important discovery was the phenomenon of "super-humps" in the [[SU Ursae Majoris]] class of [[cataclysmic variable star|cataclysmic binary]] stars<ref>http://www.konkoly.hu/cgi-bin/IBVS?0864 {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref> in 1974.
+Originally the Auckland Museum<ref>{{Citation |title=Auckland War Memorial Museum |date=2024-08-08 |work=Wikipedia |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auckland_War_Memorial_Museum |access-date=2024-09-04 |language=en}}</ref> operated a planetarium which had been donated by the Farmers Trading Company<ref>{{Citation |title=Farmers Trading Company |date=2024-07-29 |work=Wikipedia |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farmers_Trading_Company |access-date=2024-09-04 |language=en}}</ref> in 1958. The planetarium at the museum closed in 1989, allowing Stardome the opportunity to build a replacement planetarium. Fundraising was undertaken with a clear vision to provide the country with the best facility possible.
+Major funding from the Lotteries Commission, the ASB Community Trust, a loan from the Auckland City Council and donations from the Auckland public raised nearly $3 million for the project. The new planetarium and associated facilities opened in February 1997 and the 11 metre domed planetarium cinema remains the largest and most advanced in New Zealand.
-In 1988, the observatory participated in the discovery of the atmosphere of [[Pluto]] by measuring the brightness change as the planet passed in front of a star.
+Stardome is now a trusted centre for sharing astronomy and [[mātauranga Māori]] in Auckland. It offers visitors the experience of learning with entertainment in a planetarium and observatory environment, and allows visitors to explore the interconnections between people, Earth, and the cosmos. [https://register.charities.govt.nz/CharitiesRegister/ViewCharity?accountId=bfdcbd5f-0d8a-dc11-98a0-0015c5f3da29&searchId=bbd078bc-08ca-4d2e-a6e0-2d25eedbaf99 Stardome is a registered charity.]
-During the 1980s the Zeiss telescope was used to support several doctoral students from the [[University of Auckland]] (most notably [[Rodger Freeth]]), including the development of a new computer-controlled photon counting photometer. Regular UBV photometry of variable stars continued until 1998 when a [[Charge-coupled device|CCD]] camera was first used.
+{| class="wikitable"
+|Stardome is grateful for the support it receives from the ratepayers of Auckland and Auckland Council through the Auckland Regional Funding Board (ARAFB).
+|}
+== Premises and location ==
-In 1999, a [[Celestron]] C-14 [[Schmidt-Cassegrain]] telescope was provided by the Nustrini family for installation in the newly built second dome at Stardome Observatory. A grant from the ASB Trust was used to buy a Paramount GT1100s mounting (manufactured by [[Software Bisque]]) and an Apogee AP8p CCD camera. The Apogee camera has a back-illuminated SITe003 CCD (1024×1024 24-[[micrometre]] pixels). The field of view is 22 [[arc-minute]]s. The 0.35 m (f/11) Nustrini telescope is used only for research. In 2006 the [[Celestron]] C-14 telescope was replaced by a 40&nbsp;cm Meade ACF (F/10) and in 2008 CCD camera was replaced by a SBIG ST-6303. The Meade ACF telescope uses an OG530 Orange Schott Optical Glass Filter.
+[https://www.stardome.org.nz/ Stardome Observatory & Planetarium] is located at 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland 1023, within Maungakiekie One Tree Hill Domain. The 1,000 square metre facility has two [[telescope]] domes, (one available for [https://www.stardome.org.nz/movie/zeiss-telescope public viewing sessions]), a 75 seat [[planetarium]], gallery and exhibition space, a retail shop, outdoor courtyard telescope space, and space for education groups as well as private hire.
+== Education at Stardome ==
-Stardome Observatory is a member of the microFUN collaboration<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www-astronomy.mps.ohio-state.edu/~microfun/ |title=MicroFUN 2005 |access-date=2006-02-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060102223958/http://www-astronomy.mps.ohio-state.edu/~microfun/ |archive-date=2006-01-02 }}</ref> which attempts to detect [[Extrasolar planet|extra-solar]] planets by [[gravitational microlensing]]. MicroFUN is based at the Astronomy Department of [[Ohio State University]] and coordinates the observation of high-magnification microlensing events. In April 2005, microFUN contributed significantly to the discovery of a Jovian-mass planet ([[OGLE-2005-BLG-071L]]<ref>{{cite journal | bibcode = 2005ApJ...628L.109U | title=A Jovian-Mass Planet in Microlensing Event OGLE-2005-BLG-071 | journal=The Astrophysical Journal | volume=628 | page=L109 | year=2005 |author=Udalski, A. |author2=Jaroszynski, M. |author3=Paczynski, B. |author4=Kubiak, M. |author5=Szymanski, M. K. |author6=Soszynski, I. |author7=Pietrzynski, G. |author8=Ulaczyk, K. |author9=Szewczyk, O. |author10=Wyrzykowski, L. |author11=Christie, G. W. |author12=DePoy, D. L. |author13=Dong, S. |author14=Gal-Yam, A. |author15=Gaudi, B. S. |author16=Gould, A. |author17=Han, C. |author18=Lépine, S. |author19=McCormick, J. |author20=Park, B.-G. |author21=Pogge, R. W. |author22=Bennett, D. P. |author23=Bond, I. A. |author24=Muraki, Y. |author25=Tristram, P. J. |author26=Yock, P. C. M. |author27=Beaulieu, J.-P. |author28=Bramich, D. M. |author29=Dieters, S. W. |author30=Greenhill, J. |author31=Hill, K. |author32=Horne, K. |author33=Kubas, D. | issue=2 | doi=10.1086/432795|arxiv = astro-ph/0505451 | s2cid=7425167 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|url=http://lanl.arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0505451|arxiv=astro-ph/0505451|doi=10.1086/432795|title=A Jovian-Mass Planet in Microlensing Event OGLE-2005-BLG-071|year=2005|last1=Udalski|first1=A.|last2=Jaroszyński|first2=M.|last3=Paczyński|first3=B.|last4=Kubiak|first4=M.|last5=Szymański|first5=M. K.|last6=Soszyński|first6=I.|last7=Pietrzyński|first7=G.|last8=Ulaczyk|first8=K.|last9=Szewczyk|first9=O.|last10=Wyrzykowski|first10=Ł.|last11=Christie|first11=G. W.|last12=Depoy|first12=D. L.|last13=Dong|first13=S.|last14=Gal-Yam|first14=A.|last15=Gaudi|first15=B. S.|last16=Gould|first16=A.|last17=Han|first17=C.|last18=Lépine|first18=S.|last19=McCormick|first19=J.|last20=Park|first20=B.-G.|last21=Pogge|first21=R. W.|last22=Bennett|first22=D. P.|last23=Bond|first23=I. A.|last24=Muraki|first24=Y.|last25=Tristram|first25=P. J.|last26=Yock|first26=P. C. M.|last27=Beaulieu|first27=J.-P.|last28=Bramich|first28=D. M.|last29=Dieters|first29=S. W.|last30=Greenhill|first30=J.|journal=The Astrophysical Journal|volume=628|issue=2|pages=L109–L112|bibcode=2005ApJ...628L.109U|s2cid=7425167|display-authors=1}}</ref>), the second planet to be detected in this way. In 2005, the Stardome contributed 250 hours of time-series photometry to this collaboration.
+Stardome Observatory and Planetarium is committed to ensuring that celestial stories, astronomy, mātauranga Māori and cosmological science are shared with integrity and honour, allowing visitors to explore the interconnections between people, Earth, and the cosmos.
+Stardome is a recognised ELC (Enriching Local Curriculum) provider, and its education programme is driven by learning objectives that align with Te Whāriki, the New Zealand curriculum, and Te Marautanga.
-The Stardome also contributes to the [[Center for Backyard Astrophysics]] (CBA)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cba.phys.columbia.edu/ |title=CBA - Center for Backyard Astrophysics |access-date=2006-02-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060220021210/http://cba.phys.columbia.edu/ |archive-date=2006-02-20 }}</ref> in [[New York City]] as CBA-Auckland.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cba.phys.columbia.edu/data/archive/auckland.html |title=CBA - Center for Backyard Astrophysics |access-date=2006-02-09 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20060907150833/http://cba.phys.columbia.edu/data/archive/auckland.html |archive-date=2006-09-07 }}</ref> This professional-amateur network monitors selected [[cataclysmic variable star|cataclysmic binary]] stars and contributes to the understanding of these objects. During 2005, over 250 hours of observations where contributed to the CBA.
+Stardome is a member of Auckland's GLAM sector, and Te Kāhui Toi Ihiihi – an initiative designed to support Māori Medium ākonga to participate in ELC education within Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
-Stardome makes regular astrometric observations of [[comet]]s and [[near-Earth object]]s (NEOs) for the [[Minor Planet Center]].<ref>[http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/iau/mpc.html Minor Planet Center (MPC) – About, Services and Publications]</ref> In 2004, observations were made of the NEO [[2004 FH]] which was at the time the closest natural object detected from [[Earth]] (43,000&nbsp;km). CCD photometry obtained at the Stardome showed that the object was rotating in 3 minutes, the fastest rotation rate measured for any solar system object.<ref>[http://cbat.eps.harvard.edu/iauc/08300/08310.html#Item4 Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams (Circular No. 8310) – 2004 FH]</ref>
+In addition to the ELC programme, sessions are also provided for kindergarten and pre-schoolers, university students, defence staff (primarily celestial navigation), geo-survey students, senior groups, corporate and other specialised groups. Bookings usually comprise a planetarium feature show, a night-sky planetarium presentation, time exploring the exhibits and displays, a selection from a 'classroom' session and other activities such as a water bottle rocket launch demonstration, [[Matariki]] focus, and telescope viewing.
-Research at Stardome Observatory is performed on a voluntary basis.
+== Auckland Astronomical Society ==
-=== Outreach ===
+The [https://www.astronomy.org.nz/ Auckland Astronomical Society] meets at Stardome on the first four Mondays of every month. The Society offers educational sessions, speakers and lecturers, practical astronomy advice, documentary screening, and educational outreach in the community.
+{| class="wikitable floatright" style="font-size: 0.9em; width: 270px;"
+|+ [[Minor planet]]s discovered: 1&thinsp;<ref name="MPC-Discoverers" />
+|-
+| [[19620 Auckland]] || 18 August 1999 || {{MPC|19620}}
+|}
+== Research by Auckland Astronomical Society ==
-The 1,000 square metres facility has two [[telescope]] domes and a [[planetarium]]. The observatory has three primary functions: public outreach, education and research. There is a permanent staff of 9 people who are supported by about 12 part-time staff and some 30 volunteers.
+In 1969, the observatory constructed a UBV [[Photometry (astronomy)|photoelectric photometer]] with assistance from the [[University of Auckland]]. This photometer on the Zeiss telescope became a very successful instrument and produced a significant number of published research papers. Probably the most important discovery was the phenomenon of "super-humps" in the [[SU Ursae Majoris]] class of [[cataclysmic variable star|cataclysmic binary]] stars<ref>http://www.konkoly.hu/cgi-bin/IBVS?0864 {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref> in 1974.
+In 1988, the observatory participated in the discovery of the atmosphere of [[Pluto]] by measuring the brightness change as the planet passed in front of a star.
-Stardome receives approximately 55,000 visitors per year.
+During the 1980s the Zeiss telescope was used to support several doctoral students from the [[University of Auckland]] (most notably [[Rodger Freeth]]), including the development of a new computer-controlled photon counting photometer. Regular UBV photometry of variable stars continued until 1998 when a [[Charge-coupled device|CCD]] camera was first used.
+In 1999, a [[Celestron]] C-14 [[Schmidt-Cassegrain]] telescope was provided by the Nustrini family for installation in the newly built second dome at Stardome Observatory. A grant from the ASB Trust was used to buy a Paramount GT1100s mounting (manufactured by [[Software Bisque]]) and an Apogee AP8p CCD camera. The Apogee camera has a back-illuminated SITe003 CCD (1024×1024 24-[[micrometre]] pixels). The field of view is 22 [[arc-minute]]s. The 0.35 m (f/11) Nustrini telescope is used only for research. In 2006 the [[Celestron]] C-14 telescope was replaced by a 40&nbsp;cm Meade ACF (F/10) and in 2008 CCD camera was replaced by a SBIG ST-6303. The Meade ACF telescope uses an OG530 Orange Schott Optical Glass Filter.
+Stardome Observatory & Planetarium is a member of the microFUN collaboration<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www-astronomy.mps.ohio-state.edu/~microfun/ |title=MicroFUN 2005 |access-date=2006-02-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060102223958/http://www-astronomy.mps.ohio-state.edu/~microfun/ |archive-date=2006-01-02 }}</ref> which attempts to detect [[Extrasolar planet|extra-solar]] planets by [[gravitational microlensing]]. MicroFUN is based at the Astronomy Department of [[Ohio State University]] and coordinates the observation of high-magnification microlensing events. In April 2005, microFUN contributed significantly to the discovery of a Jovian-mass planet ([[OGLE-2005-BLG-071L]]<ref>{{cite journal | bibcode = 2005ApJ...628L.109U | title=A Jovian-Mass Planet in Microlensing Event OGLE-2005-BLG-071 | journal=The Astrophysical Journal | volume=628 | page=L109 | year=2005 |author=Udalski, A. |author2=Jaroszynski, M. |author3=Paczynski, B. |author4=Kubiak, M. |author5=Szymanski, M. K. |author6=Soszynski, I. |author7=Pietrzynski, G. |author8=Ulaczyk, K. |author9=Szewczyk, O. |author10=Wyrzykowski, L. |author11=Christie, G. W. |author12=DePoy, D. L. |author13=Dong, S. |author14=Gal-Yam, A. |author15=Gaudi, B. S. |author16=Gould, A. |author17=Han, C. |author18=Lépine, S. |author19=McCormick, J. |author20=Park, B.-G. |author21=Pogge, R. W. |author22=Bennett, D. P. |author23=Bond, I. A. |author24=Muraki, Y. |author25=Tristram, P. J. |author26=Yock, P. C. M. |author27=Beaulieu, J.-P. |author28=Bramich, D. M. |author29=Dieters, S. W. |author30=Greenhill, J. |author31=Hill, K. |author32=Horne, K. |author33=Kubas, D. | issue=2 | doi=10.1086/432795|arxiv = astro-ph/0505451 | s2cid=7425167 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|arxiv=astro-ph/0505451|doi=10.1086/432795|title=A Jovian-Mass Planet in Microlensing Event OGLE-2005-BLG-071|year=2005|last1=Udalski|first1=A.|last2=Jaroszyński|first2=M.|last3=Paczyński|first3=B.|last4=Kubiak|first4=M.|last5=Szymański|first5=M. K.|last6=Soszyński|first6=I.|last7=Pietrzyński|first7=G.|last8=Ulaczyk|first8=K.|last9=Szewczyk|first9=O.|last10=Wyrzykowski|first10=Ł.|last11=Christie|first11=G. W.|last12=Depoy|first12=D. L.|last13=Dong|first13=S.|last14=Gal-Yam|first14=A.|last15=Gaudi|first15=B. S.|last16=Gould|first16=A.|last17=Han|first17=C.|last18=Lépine|first18=S.|last19=McCormick|first19=J.|last20=Park|first20=B.-G.|last21=Pogge|first21=R. W.|last22=Bennett|first22=D. P.|last23=Bond|first23=I. A.|last24=Muraki|first24=Y.|last25=Tristram|first25=P. J.|last26=Yock|first26=P. C. M.|last27=Beaulieu|first27=J.-P.|last28=Bramich|first28=D. M.|last29=Dieters|first29=S. W.|last30=Greenhill|first30=J.|journal=The Astrophysical Journal|volume=628|issue=2|pages=L109–L112|bibcode=2005ApJ...628L.109U|s2cid=7425167|display-authors=1}}</ref>), the second planet to be detected in this way. In 2005, the Stardome contributed 250 hours of time-series photometry to this collaboration.
-=== Education ===
+Stardome also contributes to the [[Center for Backyard Astrophysics]] (CBA)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cba.phys.columbia.edu/ |title=CBA - Center for Backyard Astrophysics |access-date=2006-02-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060220021210/http://cba.phys.columbia.edu/ |archive-date=2006-02-20 }}</ref> in [[New York City]] as CBA-Auckland.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cba.phys.columbia.edu/data/archive/auckland.html |title=CBA - Center for Backyard Astrophysics |access-date=2006-02-09 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20060907150833/http://cba.phys.columbia.edu/data/archive/auckland.html |archive-date=2006-09-07 }}</ref> This professional-amateur network monitors selected [[cataclysmic variable star|cataclysmic binary]] stars and contributes to the understanding of these objects. During 2005, over 250 hours of observations where contributed to the CBA.
-Three full-time and one part-time education presenters provide curriculum-based astronomy and space topics and activities to about 45,000 school pupils each year. This education programme covers all ages, from year level 1 to 13, and is funded primarily through the Education Department Learning Experiences Outside the Classroom (LEOTC) programme.
+The research telescope at Stardome is used to make regular astrometric observations of [[comet]]s and [[near-Earth object]]s (NEOs) for the [[Minor Planet Center]].<ref>[http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/iau/mpc.html Minor Planet Center (MPC) – About, Services and Publications]</ref> In 2004, observations were made of the NEO [[2004 FH]] which was at the time the closest natural object detected from [[Earth]] (43,000&nbsp;km). CCD photometry obtained at Stardome showed that the object was rotating in 3 minutes, the fastest rotation rate measured for any solar system object.<ref>[http://cbat.eps.harvard.edu/iauc/08300/08310.html#Item4 Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams (Circular No. 8310) – 2004 FH]</ref>
-In addition to the LEOTC programme, sessions are also provided for kindergarten and pre-schoolers, university students, military personnel (primarily celestial navigation), geo-survey students, senior citizens, corporate and other specialised groups. Bookings usually comprise a planetarium feature show, a night-sky presentation, time exploring the foyer exhibits and displays, and a selection from a 'classroom' session and other activities such as rocket launch demonstration, Matariki focus, and telescope viewing.
+Research at Stardome is performed on a voluntary basis by members of the [https://www.astronomy.org.nz/ Auckland Astronomical Society].
-== Facilities ==
 {| class="wikitable floatright" style="font-size: 0.9em;"
 |+ '''Edith Winstone Blackwell Telescope'''
@@ Line 85: / Line 97: @@
 |}
+== [https://www.stardome.org.nz/zeiss-telescope Edith Winstone Blackwell Telescope (Zeiss telescope)] ==
-The [[planetarium]] was added during extensive additions in 1997. Seating 78 people within the 11 metre dome, it used a Zeiss ZKP3 star projector, 18 panorama and all-sky slide projectors, and a video projector. Some of the shows were produced by the Stardome while others were purchased and modified for local use. This was replaced with an E&S Digistar 3 computerised projection system in early 2008, utilising two Sony projectors. This has subsequently been upgraded to Digistar 4, 5 and now version 6. The original projectors were replaced early 2018 with laser-based projectors.
-=== Edith Winstone Blackwell Telescope ===
 [[File:Stardome Observatory Wooden Dome.jpg|thumb|left|The wooden observatory dome of the EWB telescope from within]]
-The primary fixed telescope is the 0.5 m [[Edith Winstone Blackwell]] Telescope (EWB) which is a classical [[Cassegrain reflector]] (f/13.3) manufactured by [[Carl Zeiss AG|Carl Zeiss]] of [[Jena]]. It was installed in late 1966 and is one of about 20 comparable instruments produced by Zeiss. It is mounted on an offset German [[equatorial mount]]. The optical tube assembly weighs about 500&nbsp;kg and the overall weight, including the mount, is 2500&nbsp;kg.
+The primary fixed telescope is the 0.5 m [[Edith Winstone Blackwell]] Telescope (EWB) which is a classical [[Cassegrain reflector]] (f/13.3) manufactured by [[Carl Zeiss AG|Carl Zeiss]] of [[Jena]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://www.zeiss.com/corporate/en/about-zeiss/past/history.html |access-date=2024-09-04 |website=www.zeiss.com |language=en}}</ref> It was installed in late 1966 and is one of about 20 comparable instruments produced by Zeiss. It is mounted on an offset German [[equatorial mount]]. The optical tube assembly weighs about 500&nbsp;kg and the overall weight, including the mount, is 2500&nbsp;kg.
 The Zeiss telescope was purchased with money from a gift to the people of Auckland by the late Edith Winstone Blackwell [[Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire|MBE]]. It has been heavily used for both public viewing and research since being commissioned in 1967.
-In 2003 it underwent a complete renovation. A project began in October 2018 to upgrade the telescope to full digital pointing and slewing. The work was completed in 2019.
 == See also ==
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 {{Authority control}}
+{{DEFAULTSORT:Stardome Observatory & Planetarium}}
-[[Category:1960s architecture in New Zealand]]
-[[Category:Astronomical observatories in New Zealand]]
+[[Category:1960s architecture in New Zealand|Stardome Observatory and Planetarium]]
+[[Category:Astronomical observatories in New Zealand|Stardome Observatory and Planetarium]]
-[[Category:Buildings and structures in Auckland]]
-[[Category:Education in Auckland]]
+[[Category:Buildings and structures in Auckland|Stardome Observatory and Planetarium]]
+[[Category:Education in Auckland|Stardome Observatory and Planetarium]]
-[[Category:Minor-planet discovering observatories]]
-[[Category:Public observatories]]
+[[Category:Minor-planet discovering observatories|Stardome Observatory and Planetarium]]
-[[Category:Tourist attractions in Auckland]]
+[[Category:Public observatories|Stardome Observatory and Planetarium]]
+[[Category:Tourist attractions in Auckland|Stardome Observatory and Planetarium]]
+[[Category:Planetarium shows]]

Authority control databases
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