Astro touring

The world’s first indoor, multimedia experience that combines Māori astronomy and science has opened in Takapō (Tekapo), New Zealand’s South Island. The Dark Sky Project is a new 1140 square-metre building on the Takapō lakefront. Evening stargazing experiences and a number of astro-tourism experiences will depart from the new centre, which also features the Dark Sky Diner. The building houses a 125-year-old Brashear Telescope, which stands up to nine metres tall and was in storage for five decades before its recent restoration. The Victorian telescope forms part of the new 45-minute Dark Sky Experience. Takapō is located in the middle of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve – the largest dark sky reserve in the world.