Carter Observatory

Take a virtual journey through space in Carter's Pelorus Trust Planetarium - a state-of-the-art full-dome digital theatre, then take your own steps through space as you walk through the world-class interactive multimedia space experience.

Discover our Universe, along with some of New Zealand's most prestigious telescopes and astronomical artefacts. Before and after you visit we encourage you to download the latest sky chart to spot the stars.

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Carter Observatory is New Zealand's longest-serving national observatory. Carter's name commemorates Charles Rooking Carter, who gifted £2,240 from his estate to the Royal Society of New Zealand to establish an astronomical observatory in Wellington for the benefit of the people of New Zealand. Parliament established the Carter Observatory in 1937 and it opened its doors in 1941.

Carter became a base for astronomical research in New Zealand. Work began with solar investigations and when new staff joined during the 1970s it expanded to include variable stars, galaxies and asteroids. Carter Observatory became New Zealand's National Observatory in 1977.

In 1992 the Goldern Bay Planetarium was relocated from its Harris Street location to the Carter Observatory site.  The Golden Bay Planetarium was opened in 1978 by SIr Keith Holyoake, then Patron of the Wellington Planetarium Society.  The original planetarium was sold to the Northland Astronomical Society in Whangarei, to make way for an expanded planetarium.