Observatory for Schools Welcome to the website of BPO's Observatory for Schools. It is a not-for-profit educational facility situated at 650 meters (2,132') elevation, near Lake Pukaki in New Zealand's South Island. The site is rated as Class 1 on the Bortle Dark-Sky Scale. Relative Humidity is usually below 40% and annual precipitation less than 400mm. All school and community groups are welcome and there are no fees of any kind. Internet access is available for groups not in a position to visit the site in person. *Development continues, albeit at a glacial pace. More equipment and instruments have arrived but installation won't be immediate. (21-02-09) BPO Staff Login Contributors Links