Star Gazer Traditional Geocache

This cache has been archived.

ROTSIP: This cache appears to be gone, and it seems unlikely that it will be replaced soon, so I'm archiving it.
If the cache is replaced, then please contact me to re-enable this listing.
Thanks for the past fun.

Regards,
Rodney Pistorius (ROTSIP)
Geocaching.com Volunteer Reviewer for Africa

IMPORTANT
To respond, please email rodneyp@yebo.co.za
Please DO NOT click "reply", because I will not receive it.

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Hidden : 7/4/2008
Difficulty:
3 out of 5
Terrain:
1 out of 5

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:


This cache will take you to the Port Elizabeth People's Observatory. It is only open on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday night of every month at 8pm. Although we won't restrict when you can find the cache, we would prefer and it would be better going there when the place is open. This way you can experience what we want you to experience and not just run up your numbers!

[history]

Some history:

This idea originated from a hand-ful of people in Port Elizabeth South Africa way back in 1947. During that time there was a certain Mr. J.C. Bentley - a keen amateur astronomer - who wanted to establish an Observatory in Port Elizabeth. He whipped up enough local support and they had an inaugural meeting on 28 May 1947.

The society started with a 4" refracting telescope and an epidiascope - on loan from the Port Elizabeth museum. With this and lots of astronomical enthusiasm, the society as we have it today was started. The need for a proper telescope led to the formation of a Trustee Committee in September 1947. Their task was to raise funds and on the 16th of April 1948, they were in a position to order the 8" refractor telescope that we still use.

The name was chosen as a tribute to the people of the city who contributed to the dream that made the purchase of the Telescope possible when it became available from the Royal Astronomical Society.

These early pioneers are still remembered today by members giving their time to man the Telescope on public viewing nights - every first and third Wednesday of the month and in December every Wednesday.

By mid-1948 the Telescope duly arrived. At first it was housed in a cumbersome shed that rolled away on old tram line tracks. It was later moved to the present site, granted to the Society by the Port Elizabeth Municipality - who also loaned the sum of 2000 pounds towards the building of the observatory.

On 29 June 1953, an invitation appeared in a local newspaper - The Herald - inviting the people of Port Elizabeth "To see the planets through the 8 inch Telescope which was mounted in Westview Drive, Mill Park" -The only large professional telescope set up solely for the benefit of the public, in South Africa.

In addition to the viewing sessions, the Observatory is also used to present lectures, talks and host discussion groups in a small lecture room equipped with the necessary presentation tools.

[/history]

Entry is free.

The cache is a biggish pill bottle that is available 24/7.

No clues with this one, enjoy the search while you wait for the caretaker to arrive! Please replace exactly as found and be careful when replacing.

Additional Hints (No hints available.)



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