Space Place at Carter Observatory is a significant location in Wellington, New Zealand. It is situated at the top of the Wellington Botanic Garden, offering a unique combination of natural beauty and scientific exploration. The observatory is a public museum and planetarium with a focus on space and New Zealand astronomy, making it an interesting destination for tourists interested in these fields.
The Observatory is home to a digital planetarium and a historic 9 3/4-inch Cooke refractor telescope. The digital planetarium offers an immersive experience of the night sky, while the historic telescope allows visitors to observe a variety of Solar System and deep-sky objects. These features provide a unique opportunity for tourists to learn about space and astronomy in an interactive way.
Within its main building, Space Place houses two telescopes and a planetarium. The Thomas Cooke telescope serves as the primary telescope for public observing sessions. The Ruth Crisp telescope, a 16-inch Cassegrain reflector, arrived as a donation in 1968. The planetarium and the telescopes offer a comprehensive experience for tourists interested in astronomy.
Science & Technology Nature & Natural History Astronomy Botanical garden
Monday | 10:00 – 17:00 |
Tuesday | 10:00 – 23:00 |
Wednesday | 10:00 – 17:00 |
Thursday | 10:00 – 17:00 |
Friday | 10:00 – 23:00 |
Saturday | 10:00 – 23:00 |
Sunday | 10:00 – 17:00 |
40 Salamanca Road, Wellington
No exhibitions in Space Place have been found.
Space Place has 1 rating.
Space Place, located in Wellington, New Zealand, offers visitors an educational and interactive experience focused on astronomy and space science. The museum features a planetarium, which many visitors find to be the highlight of their visit. The planetarium shows are generally well-received, providing informative and visually appealing presentations about the night sky and celestial objects.
The museum houses various exhibits on space exploration, the solar system, and New Zealand's contribution to space research. While some visitors appreciate the hands-on nature of certain displays, others mention that some exhibits could benefit from updates or expansion.
The observatory, when operational, allows visitors to view the night sky through telescopes, which can be an exciting experience for many. However, this feature is weather-dependent and not always available.
Staff members are often described as knowledgeable and friendly, enhancing the overall experience for visitors. The museum's location within the Wellington Botanic Gardens is also frequently mentioned as a positive aspect, allowing for a pleasant surrounding environment.
Some visitors note that the museum is relatively small and can be explored in a short amount of time. This can be seen as a drawback for those expecting a more extensive experience, but others find it to be a manageable and focused visit, particularly for families with children.
Accessibility is generally good, though some mention that certain areas might be challenging for those with mobility issues. The gift shop offers space-related souvenirs, which some find interesting, while others consider it limited.
Overall, Space Place provides an informative introduction to astronomy and space science, particularly suitable for families and those with a casual interest in the subject. While it may not offer the depth that space enthusiasts might seek, it serves as an engaging educational experience for most visitors.
This rating is based on the rating of this museum on several other platforms.
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