Stargazing launches at Skyline Rotorua

23 October, 2015

Stargazing launches at Skyline Rotorua

Explore constellations, look for a shooting star and discover planets invisible to the naked eye with the new Skyline Rotorua Stargazing experience opening in December.

Ngongotaha is one of the top eight locations in New Zealand for stargazing where the dark clear skies blanketing Rotorua make for a breathtaking experience.

Skyline Rotorua general manager Bruce Thomasen says the business will be investing $250,000 in developing the attraction including top-of-the line telescopes to give stargazers the chance to view an amazing array of sights, from the iconic Southern Cross, to nebulas, planets, the Milky Way and other galaxies.

The most impressive telescope on the platform is called ‘The Don,’ weighing over 100kg and performing 2,586 times better than your eye to see space like never before.

Mr Thomasen says the power of the scope is jaw dropping.

“You can look at space in a whole new dimension and there are stars there, not normally visible with your eyes,” he explains.

“What’s unique about this telescope is it’s sharpness - stars are sharp all the way to the edge, which is not the case for the majority of other telescopes.”

The Luminos eyepieces also have an 82 degree field of view creating an immersive experience.

The experience starts for visitors with a scenic gondola ride up Mt Ngongotaha. A knowledgeable and experienced stargazing guide then takes everyone for an orientation and the tour begins with a short walk to the purpose built stargazing platform. Guides point out constellations and help visitors to interpret the magical beauty of the night sky.

Tours depart daily (subject to weather), after dark, year-round and run for 75 minutes. Session times vary as sunset times change regularly, so visit www.skyline.co.nz/rotorua in December to see when Stargazing opens for summer.

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