The Wellington Astronomical Society Cretney observatory is located in the Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve near Martinborough. Arguably the best place in the North Island for observing the night sky. For information about the dark sky reserve see https://www.wairarapadarksky.nz/. The observatory is fully remote and is operated over the internet.
The late Robert Sydney Cretney, who died October 2013 in his 95th year at Pukerua Bay Wellington, left a bequest to the Wellington Astronomical Society for the establishment on observatory. Syd was and active member of WAS from the 1940’s through to the 1960’s with a particular interest in the history of astronomy in New Zealand. This bequest has allowed WAS to establish the Cretney Observatory with state of the art equipment.
“I give this bequest to the Wellington Astronomy Society Incorporated and express the wish that the gift be used for or towards establishment of an observatory for the Society’s own use and benefit and that it be made available to all competent members of the Society who wish to use it.”
There have been a few trials and tribulation getting the project completed. The construction and testing of the observatory is now all done. See the video below for an idea of some of the work that has gone into the project.
To see some of the images taken using the observatory have a look at https://www.was.org.nz/cretney-images/.
As stated in the bequest the use of the observatory is to “be made available to all competent members of the Society”. Using the equipment is non-trivial and has a significant learning curve. There will be training available to WAS members on the use of the observatory and then on processing the image data that is downloaded. If you are interested in becoming more involved then see https://www.was.org.nz/cretney-observatory-how-to/ and/or email Matt Balkham at mbalkham@gmail.com.
We are also planning the Official Opening of the Cretney in April (probably Saturday 26 April). We have had to delay the opening of the Cretney observatory until September because of water damage to computer and the availability of people. If you were involved with the bequest from Syd Cretney and the early planning for the observatory, we want to hear from you to make sure you can take part in the opening. Please email Anne to let us know.
Coming up this year:
- A workshop on astrophotography, and the formation of an active Cretney astro group within WAS
- A workshop or two on how to use the Cretney, with manual
- A workshop on how to process Cretney data to produce beautiful images like the one above
- Whatever else you tell us that you need to get the benefit of your WAS membership and access to the Cretney Observatory. Talk to Matt Balkham, Anne French, or any Council member about your ideas.