Gingin(WA) Observatory up for sale

[stevemac]

Well here's a bargain? (depending upon how you view it) for those who have a keen interest in Astronomy, and would like a purpose built site ...

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-...-up-for-grabs/

As the news article says ..

"Gingin Observatory is one hour's drive north of Perth.
For $165,000, the new owner will get giant telescopes, access to a leased building with a retractable roof and everything needed to run an observatory .."

It'll be interesting to see how this goes ..
Cheers,
Steve

[mswhin63 (Malcolm)]

I wonder how much the lease is!

[OICURMT]

I suspect it is A$165000 plus acquisition of debt.

[AstralTraveller (David)]

You call them 'giant'??

[GrahamL]

The dob looks pretty big ?

[bobson (Bob)]

As far as I know they have 25" Obsession Dob. They have other big telescopes as well.

This is from their website "about us":

About us Gingin Observatory was opened as a public observatory in October 2001 and has always been operated as a private business, co-located with the Gravity Discovery Centre, an hour drive north of Perth. The founding Astronomer was Mr David Nicolson.

The business is now operated by Donna Vanzetti (aka "The Stargazer") and Carol Redford (aka "Galaxy Girl")! In October 2007, the opportunity to manage Gingin Observatory came up whilst Donna and Carol were employed as Co-Managers at the Gravity Discovery Centre. With a love of astronomy in their back pockets, they took this special chance to take on a new business with lots of potential.

At Gingin Observatory visitors experience the wonders of space by viewing through telescopes, engaging with astronomers and by interacting during a big screen presentation that highlights our Universe.
The building is split into two areas. The space observatory (with a fully retractable roof) houses 5 large telescopes, including the largest in Australia for public access, and 6 pairs of high magnification binoculars. The other half of the building is a theatre room that also contains a reception and shop.
In addition to these facilities, the new $1M science grade Zadko Telescope, committed to Gamma Ray Burst research, is situated next door to the observatory in its own dedicated dome. It is the largest telescope for public access in the Southern Hemisphere and is integrated into stargazing nights at Gingin Observatory.

http://www.ginginobservatory.com/


cheers

[AstralTraveller (David)]

Originally Posted by nightstalker

The dob looks pretty big ?

The article, which is all I had seen, has 2 SCTs on GEM.

[tlgerdes (Trevor)]

Originally Posted by AstralTraveller

The article, which is all I had seen, has 2 SCTs on GEM.

That's just not any GEM, it is a G-11

[Blue Skies (Jacquie)]

They've got a 25" Obsession, one of the earlier ones. But remember any scope looks huge to the uninitiated.

I've known Carol and Donna for several years now and I seriously doubt they're in debt. They are selling because they are both moving out of the area for family reasons, and they've made no secret of it. They put the word out on the grapevine some months ago but I guess they need to get things moving. They've always had a way with advertising and I guess they're really getting their money's worth today! Article in the West Aus paper, interview on the local talk-back radio... they are really lovely genuine ladies and there is no need to knock them, thanks.

[Matty (Matt Fowler)]

Awesome. Would sell my place now and go for the sea change but doubt that i could finacially survive the impending divorce such a move would create. Dough! Nice to dream though.

[Davi5678 (Dave)]

Perhaps 165 IIS'ers can chip in a grand each!

[Matty (Matt Fowler)]

Nice idea Dave. I'm in like Flinn. Any other takers? Part ownership in a working observatory a very nice dream at that. Who would we get to run it though?

[mswhin63 (Malcolm)]

I would love to do it, but not sure if my wife would go for it.

[scagman (John)]

Originally Posted by Matty

Nice idea Dave. I'm in like Flinn. Any other takers? Part ownership in a working observatory a very nice dream at that. Who would we get to run it though?

3 people take 1 weeks holiday each week

[SadisticSarz (Sara Freeman)]

There seems to be a big change happening over there. The people who ran the Gingin Observatory are moving out to Toojay and the Gravity Centre will be taking it over to include it in there brand new tourism plan as a public tourism program. I saw a ad by the Gingin Observatory on their facebook asking people if they have any land that they can use for the new observatory closer to Gingin township. I guess the best they could find is out in Toojay. I never been there but i hope it goes well for them. I notice though that they must have been in some strife because of the mounting complaints and negative reviews they were getting just from what I have read in the reviews and what the towns folk share. The location is isolated and yes would make a great place to sit amongst the stars at night. It's settled right back off the main road almost deep in no man's country. I went to one of their shows and to be honest I didn't think anything of it mind you I was probably thinking huge telescope and just me all night skipping across the night sky. I never met the two owners but with star names like they have I would think they would be very entertaining to speak too and listen. I love my stars, planets, and assorted furry feelings in our southern night sky.