The Heights Observatory
Encyclopedia
The Heights School Observatory is an Astronomical Observatory
at The Heights School
in Modbury Heights, Adelaide
, South Australia
. It is one of the Astronomical Society of South Australia
(ASSA)'s two main observatories, the other being the Stockport
Observatory. There is a student group who manage and learn from the facilities.
. In 1996, a second, smaller building was constructed, that is known as the Inghams Family Building. This contained a 10" Meade
LX-200 Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, and a roll-off roof.
In August 2011, the Meade in the Inghams Family Building was replaced by a 14" Meade LX-200, and the observatory was loaned a 16" Meade Light-Bridge Dobsonian.
members who are knowledgeable on their topic. The group has had regular visits from professional astronomers, giving the students an insight into a future career in the field. The students also give tours of the facilities to visiting groups such as Internationalism Students from the Heights School and community groups that wish to experience the facilities.
Once a month on Friday Nights, the Astronomical Society of South Australia holds a public viewing night at the observatory, where members of the general public can visit the observatory to use the observatory's telescopes and telescopes brought in by members of ASSA.
The Observatory also contains a seismograph that is not operated by the students. It has recorded earthquakes including the Boxing Day Tsunami and the Cleve Earthquake.
A sub-group of ASSA, the Deep Sky Imaging Group also uses the facilities for their monthly meetings. They are actively involved in teaching the students.
In September 2011, the group will present to the Astronomical Society of South Australia's monthly meeting, providing information about how the facilities are used, what has been taught, the observatory's involvement with The Heights School
's Ignite Program, and one Year 12 Research Project that has been undertaken at the Observatory.
Observatory
An observatory is a location used for observing terrestrial or celestial events. Astronomy, climatology/meteorology, geology, oceanography and volcanology are examples of disciplines for which observatories have been constructed...
at The Heights School
The Heights School (Australia)
The Heights School is a combined Secondary and Primary school serving the Modbury Heights area in Adelaide, South Australia. It is located in Adelaide's District 5 school district, in close proximity to Golden Grove High School, Gleeson College and Pedare Christian College.-History:The Heights...
in Modbury Heights, Adelaide
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
, South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
. It is one of the Astronomical Society of South Australia
Astronomical Society of South Australia
The Astronomical Society of South Australia was founded in 1892 and is the oldest society of its kind in Australia. It is the only representative body for amateur astronomy in the state of South Australia....
(ASSA)'s two main observatories, the other being the Stockport
Stockport, South Australia
Stockport is a small town north of Adelaide and south of Tarlee in South Australia. On the southern boundary of the Clare & Gilbert Valleys Council area, it was once the heart of a small farming community. At the 2006 census, Stockport had a population of 234.Stockport today boasts a number of...
Observatory. There is a student group who manage and learn from the facilities.
History
The Observatory consists of two buildings. In 1989, the Emanual Papaelia Observatory was built containing a 1963 12" Dall-Kirkham Cassegrain reflecting telescope originally housed at Marryatville High SchoolMarryatville High School
Marryatville High School is a public state school in Adelaide, South Australia. It was founded in 1976 during the Don Dunstan era of South Australia and was formed out of the old Norwood Boys Technical High School. The school is situated on a large area of land in the eastern suburb of...
. In 1996, a second, smaller building was constructed, that is known as the Inghams Family Building. This contained a 10" Meade
Meade
Meade Instruments Corporation is a multinational company headquartered in Irvine, California, that manufactures, imports, and distributes telescopes, binoculars, spotting scopes, microscopes, CCD cameras and telescope accessories for the consumer market. It is the world's largest manufacturer of...
LX-200 Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, and a roll-off roof.
In August 2011, the Meade in the Inghams Family Building was replaced by a 14" Meade LX-200, and the observatory was loaned a 16" Meade Light-Bridge Dobsonian.
Current Activities
Since 2008, students have been actively involved with the observatory, gradually growing to a group of approximately 20 students. Students are taught basic astronomy theory and practice by a number of ASSAAstronomical Society of South Australia
The Astronomical Society of South Australia was founded in 1892 and is the oldest society of its kind in Australia. It is the only representative body for amateur astronomy in the state of South Australia....
members who are knowledgeable on their topic. The group has had regular visits from professional astronomers, giving the students an insight into a future career in the field. The students also give tours of the facilities to visiting groups such as Internationalism Students from the Heights School and community groups that wish to experience the facilities.
Once a month on Friday Nights, the Astronomical Society of South Australia holds a public viewing night at the observatory, where members of the general public can visit the observatory to use the observatory's telescopes and telescopes brought in by members of ASSA.
The Observatory also contains a seismograph that is not operated by the students. It has recorded earthquakes including the Boxing Day Tsunami and the Cleve Earthquake.
A sub-group of ASSA, the Deep Sky Imaging Group also uses the facilities for their monthly meetings. They are actively involved in teaching the students.
In September 2011, the group will present to the Astronomical Society of South Australia's monthly meeting, providing information about how the facilities are used, what has been taught, the observatory's involvement with The Heights School
The Heights School (Australia)
The Heights School is a combined Secondary and Primary school serving the Modbury Heights area in Adelaide, South Australia. It is located in Adelaide's District 5 school district, in close proximity to Golden Grove High School, Gleeson College and Pedare Christian College.-History:The Heights...
's Ignite Program, and one Year 12 Research Project that has been undertaken at the Observatory.