Use of the Gifford

If in doubt if the Observatory is open please ring 025 209 3555

SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENT GROUP

This new group of enthusiastic students from several different high schools in Wellington has been formed to take advantage of the newly restored Gifford Observatory behind Wellington College. Monthly meetings with short talks by informed speakers both within and outside the group, are followed by an informal tea and observing if weather permits.

The Wellington Astronomical Society and Gifford Observatory trustees are fully supportive of their efforts and offer help, expertise and training in the use of the Observatory which is available during the day as well as at night.

Meetings

Contacts

Gifford Observatory in 1974

The Gifford Memorial Observatory had been a facility operated by pupils and staff (with some occasional outside assistance) at Wellington College since it was constructed through the efforts of Charles Gifford in 1912.

"Uncle Charlie" - Charles Gifford, with a soft "G" as in George - was an eminent and much loved Wellingtonian, who in the first three decades of the 20th century inspired thousands of the pupils he taught at Wellington College with his knowledge and love of astronomy. In addition, over several decades he regularly contributed astronomical articles to the "Evening Post" newspaper. He was also a notable mathematician, whose work was influential in establishing that the craters on the moon were due to meteoritic impact.

Gifford's enthusiasm and commitment ensured that an observatory was built mostly through voluntary labour and donated materials, and was shifted to its current site from its original site (now occupied by Wellington East Girls' College) in 1924. It is located between Wellington College (Dufferin St.), the Town Belt and Government House on land jointly occupied in trust by Wellington College and Wellington East Girls' College.

The Observatory housed an excellent 130mm diameter Zeiss refractor telescope with ancillary instrumentation including an astrograph (a specialised wide-field astronomical camera), photographic developing equipment, a protuberance spectroscope (an instrument used to observe solar flares) and equipment designed for observing sunspots.

It is remarkable that so much of the original instrumentation has remained largely intact given the thousands of pupils that have had access to the building and equipment over the years. This equipment will be reinstalled in the Observatory once all construction has been completed and the building is rendered secure.

Gifford Observatory in 2000

Unfortunately it fell into disrepair in the late 1970's.

By January 2001 however work was well under way to restore it with work mostly complete by early 2002 and the observatory ready for opening.

Gifford Observatory Trust

In 1998 Charitable Trust has been established to restore, maintain and operate the Gifford Memorial Observatory for the benefit of - and use by - all young people in the Wellington region.

The Gifford Observatory Trust has now been set up to widen the base of astronomically inclined individuals - beyond Wellington College staff, pupils and their parents - who wish to support its use and promote astronomy to all the youth of Wellington.

Considerable effort was required before the Observatory could be made usable again as the ravages of time and vandals left little but the building shell although the telescope and much of the ancillary equipment has been safely stored and is available.

Work Completed So Far

1999

During 1999, accessibility to the Gifford Memorial Observatory site was vastly improved, largely due to the efforts of Les Meek - an old boy of Wellington College and strong supporter of Trust's activities. Les voluntarily designed and constructed a new path up to the site. This new path features wooden steps and handrails, and greatly eases the climb up to the site from Wellington College's main grounds. Most of the material supplies for this work was purchased at significant discount from "friendly" suppliers due to Les' efforts.

His Excellency the Governor General Sir Michael Hardie Boys formally opened this path in September 1999. In addition, in late 1999 the observatory site was cleared of vegetation, and native trees and shrubs planted alongside the new path.

August 2000

September - November 2000

Associated with this activity has been the necessary fund raising to cover the additional costs. This is now well underway and with any luck the Trust should have enough money to complete the work.

January 2001

May 2001

The internal work is now well under way and the new pier section has been cast and tested for fit. The lower section was unfortunately discarded some time ago by someone who did not realise what it was and the means of replacing it has been the topic of some debate. Fortunately the new section was constructed at a very good price by a Gifford friendly craftsman and the result is in every way as good if not better than the original.

The pier has now been installed and is ready for the telescope mounting and first light.

February 2002

Gifford Memorial Observatory welcomes a new era of star gazers including Michael Gifford (Charlie's grandson) and partner Rosali Zigliani.

Work Partys

The following working sessions have been held on the Observatory site:

• August 6th, 2000 - Clearing the site
• August 13th, 2000 - Removing all damaged wood
• August 27th, 2000 - Installation of the power poles
• January 27th, 2001 - Starting work on the roof
• February 6th, 2001 - Assembling the dome
• February 9th, 2001 - Installing the dome
• May 5th, 2001 - Relaying the path
• September 29th, 2001 - Fixing shutter attachments
• February 10th, 2002 - Fixing Telescope controls and landscaping