History of Mt John Observatory at Lake Tekapo

In 1960 the University of Pennsylvania and the U.S. National Science Foundation decided to survey New Zealand to find the best site for an astronomical observatory. They wanted to establish a southern station in New Zealand.

Among the criteria for an observatory site were a large number of clear nights, a dark sky not polluted by artificial light from any nearby town or city, a site reasonably close to power and water supplies, close to main roads and not too far from a major city. In 1963 it was decided that Mt John provided the best conditions. The observatory was officially opened on 10 July 1965.

The observatory’s early instruments were astronomical cameras (astrographs) provided by Pennsylvania and telescopes lent by Frank Bateson, the first Astronomer-in-Charge. In 1970 the 60-cm (24-inch) Optical Craftsmen telescope (the ‘OC’) was installed. Five years later a second 60-cm telescope made by Boller and Chivens (the ‘B&C’) was erected.

In 1969 the U.S. Air Force built a satellite tracking station on Mt John. The tracking station closed in 1983 as new technology made it redundant. Canterbury University modified the building, adding a large dome to house its new one-metre telescope. The One-Metre McLellan reflector was built in the University of Canterbury’s workshops and was installed at Mt John in February 1986. It is used for a wide variety of astronomical research, most of it in stellar astrophysics: the study of stars and their evolution. In 2001 a large ‘fibre fed’ spectrograph made at Canterbury was installed. The telescope is also used for tracking near-earth objects, small asteroids in orbits passing close to Earth's orbit.

In 2004 Earth & Sky Ltd, Nagoya University, Japan and Auckland University (partners in the MOA Project) built the computer room and unique giant Dome to house the 1.8-meter MOA telescope. The new telescope studies tens of millions of stars each clear night looking for changes in brightness. The MOA team on Mt John in co-operation with microlensing teams around the world has found several planets orbiting distant stars in our Milky Way. They are looking for a planet similar to Earth. !!

Canterbury University and Earth & Sky operate a public “Outreach” experience at the Mt John Observatory site to enable people to learn experience and enjoy a special encounter with Astronomy and Nature. Situated 700m or one thousand feet above Lake Tekapo, it is a fifteen minute drive from the town. It has an uninterrupted 360 degree panorama of the Alps, lakes, rivers, ancient glacial deposits and vast tussock grasslands. As well as the sealed access road there is a very popular public Walkway linking Mt John with the village and lake below.

During the Day-time regular tours depart from the Café on Mt John; visitors are introduced to the MOA project and its large, impressive telescope. Viewing solar activity and sun spots through a special telescope and also search for stars and planets visible during the daylight hours – subject to clear skies.

The comprehensive Starwatching night - tours operate at Mount John every night and use a 40 cm Meade telescope for public viewing in the 16 inch Dome, along with other smaller associated telescopes. These evening Astronomy experiences are very popular with both National and International visitors and are enjoyed by many thousands of people each year.

Now “Astrophotography” is offered as part of the evening tour. Visitors can learn how to use their cameras to photograph Stars, planets and distant galaxies through powerful telescopes.

To help ensure Tekapo’s precious dark night sky was not lost through light pollution, not only for the sake of Mt John but for future generations. A simple concept was born and one that quickly caught on, that is the establishment of a “Starlight Reserve”.
This idea took Mt John Observatory and Lake Tekapo to UNESCO in a bid to achieve World Heritage Status. The Mackenzie District Council has in place the required ordinances to control light pollution and to help better promote the reasonable use of electricity and as a result are regarded both nationally and internationally as leaders in this regard.

Earth & Sky can offer a unique educational experience which closely ties with national curriculum standards. Our focus is to bring Astronomy ‘in the field’ to a place where students can actively see it being used as a science.

Earth & Sky offer excellent rates for school trips. If you wish to discuss options to visit Mt John please contact our staff on 03 680 6960 or email info@earthandsky.co.nz