Ward Observatory telescope a star attraction
Published on 03 July 2020
Much to the delight of local stargazers, the 161-year-old telescope at Whanganui’s historic Ward Observatory is back in place after a recent refurbishment.
The 9-½ inch refractor telescope is the largest unmodified telescope of its type in the North Island and is used regularly by the Wanganui Astronomical Society.
Ross Skilton, President of the Whanganui Astronomical Society, says, “In 1902 the society acquired a second-hand 9-½ inch refractor made by Thomas Cooke & Sons of York in 1859 in England, with the mount made in the same year by Isaac Fletcher in England.
“It’s been a great pleasure to restore what was once New Zealand’s premier astronomical instrument,” says Ross Skilton.
The telescope was refurbished by well-known New Zealand telescope specialist and astronomer, Gordon Hudson, who carried out the telescope’s last refurbishments in 2007. Gordon Hudson says refurbishing such a large, old piece of equipment has its challenges.
“When I take on an instrument like this I clean and repair every screw and re-tap the holes using the same thread as before,” says Gordon Hudson.
“I always put the instruments back into full working order but dents are not removed as they are part of the history of the telescope.”
Whanganui District Council Heritage Advisor, Scott Flutey, says, “The telescope was one of the first civic telescopes in New Zealand and is a strong indicator of Whanganui's longstanding commitment to science and technology.
“The Ward Observatory which houses the telescope was built in 1903. The building is one of the oldest observatories in New Zealand established by an amateur astronomer – in Whanganui’s case, Joseph Thomas Ward (1862-1927).
“Joseph Ward and his assistant, local lawyer Thomas Allison, made a special study of double stars. Many of these observations are now recognised in international star catalogues as 'Ward doubles'.
“He also made astronomy accessible to the general public through lectures, opening the observatory to visits, and in his weekly column in the Wanganui Herald,” Scott Flutey says.
Whanganui District Councillor, Helen Craig – a trustee of the Whanganui Regional Heritage Trust – says, “Whanganui has some amazing heritage structures and many of these are still in use, like the observatory and telescope, more than 100 years later.
“The observatory is the very first item on the Council’s Heritage Inventory and registered as a Category I place with Heritage New Zealand.
“We’ll be celebrating Whanganui’s unique heritage in our upcoming Heritage Month in October,” Cr Craig says.
The telescope's refurbishment was funded by Whanganui District Council, which owns the Ward Observatory.
Ross Skilton says, “The Wanganui Astronomical Society volunteers have enjoyed working with Whanganui District Council staff to enhance this part of Whanganui heritage, and this fine old telescope will continue to help us inspire visitors that science is real and exciting.
“The telescope is one of New Zealand’s best visual telescopes for viewing the Moon and planets,” says Ross Skilton.
The Ward Observatory is open alternate Friday nights from 7.00pm for public viewing, weather permitting (near the Moon’s first and last quarter phases: check on their notice boards and Facebook.com/wanganuiastronomicalsociety) and by arrangement for groups.