Lake Tekapo observatory

[Redshift (Phil)]

Seen on Getaway tonight. Lake Tekapo on the south island of New Zealand. Clear dark skies with brilliant seeing. There is also an observatory open to the public. It looks like the place to go when visiting NZ. Has anyone been there?

[Baron von Richthofen (Vaclav)]

I got very drunk there many years ago

[Wavytone]

Been to Mt John many years ago, it's no big deal frankly. Lake Tekapo is only an overnight fleapit for teenagers wanting to drink till dawn on the way to/from the snow.

If you want to do some stargazing in a very dark site, stay a night at the Mt Cook Heritage resort - they have a 12" dob which they will set up on the nearby airstrip. It is one of the darkest sites I've been at for a long time, and the scope is OK - but BYO eyepieces as the guy running it is not really a stargazer and only has one 26mm UWA when I was there last weekend. Thanks to the ranges surrounding it on 3 sides at night the air is dead calm, though cold - you'll need to dress in ski gear to stay warm outside at night there.

By day, Mt Cook is a far more interesting place than Tekapo, and the family/significant other will love it.

[Redshift (Phil)]

Lake Tekapo might be worth another look. The new accommodation is 5 star and the telescope is big!

[matt]

Was there just 4 months ago. It was one of the highlights of our three weeks on the South Island

[Baddad (Marty)]

Hi All,

Was there at both Mt Cook and Lake Tekapo in Sep 09.
Mt. Cook resort in the snow. Dark and clear at night. Which is rare the locals claim.

Cheers Marty

[mental4astro (Alexander)]

I saw the program last night. Anyone else notice that the scopes lens cover was on the scope while the show's host was looking through it?

Worth a squiz certainly.

[mac (Matt)]

I went there about eleven years ago, before it was open to the public. I rang up the bloke who operated it and he offered to show me around. Unfortunately it was blowing gale force winds so it wasn't possible to open up a dome for a look through a scope.

Tekapo is famous for having the clearest air in New Zealand (and incidentally, the bluest lake), and therefore, clear skies. If I went back for a holiday, I'd certainly check out the observatory again. The township is very small though, and unless you like kayaking or recreational cycling, there's not much else to do.

[toetoe (Peter)]

Was there a couple of years back and we enjoyed the surroundings very much there. A few pics of when we where there are posted here. http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=21020

[Redshift (Phil)]

I didn't notice the lens cover, but the scenes of the night sky were obviously astro pics. You could see the colour in the nebula. That's like false advertising isn't it?

[MuntiNZ (Daz)]

Originally Posted by Redshift

Lake Tekapo might be worth another look. The new accommodation is 5 star and the telescope is big!

LOL mate I been there and the accomodation in Tekapo is crap!
The main hotel is an old converted working mans hostel and the rooms are like a bunk house!
The rest are just motels and backpackers.
On the hill where the St John obs is the biggest scope is a 1.8m thing used by a jappo university.
All the ones visitors can use are small. I think the biggest is an old 16" Meade.
St John is only like 300m above the surrounding land scape so it cops fogs and low cloud.
The scenery is amazing around the obs but and the tucker at the cafe is good to.
The whole area is pretty fantastic and you can find briliant spots to set up all over the place if you bought your gear with you.
At Mount Cook the weather is always crud just about.
When I was there it never stopped raining and the people in the hotel said thats normal.
The one day and night it was fine I have to agree that its a pretty awesome spot but they don't get enuff clear sky time if you ask me.
Mount Cook is to close to the main mountain range in the South island, thats the problem with the place.
There is another obs on a very high mountain around there but the guy who owns it is a bit of a toss and wont let ya visit it.
If you can get to NZ sometime I reccomend going down that way for a look.

[matt]

Originally Posted by mental4astro

I saw the program last night. Anyone else notice that the scopes lens cover was on the scope while the show's host was looking through it?

Nah....I wasn't in the mood for such nit-pickery....