Editing Comet Observatory

{{location infobox

|image=[[File:SMG Comet Observatory Front Overview.png|250px]]

|greater_location=Outer space

|inhabitants=[[Luma]]s <small>([[Baby Luma]], [[Comet Luma]], [[Hungry Luma]]s, [[Polari]])</small>, [[Gearmo]]

|first_appearance=''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]'' ([[List of games by date#2007|2007]])

|latest_appearance=''[[Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope]]'' ([[List of games by date#2022|2022]])

{{quote|Welcome to the Comet Observatory. It's my home, and also home to the [[Luma]]s.|Rosalina|Super Mario Galaxy}}

The '''Comet Observatory''' (also called the '''Observatory Grounds''' or just the '''Observatory''' by ''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]''{{'}}s pause menus) is one of the many areas from ''Super Mario Galaxy''. It acts as the hub area, similar to [[Peach's Castle]] in ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' and ''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]'' or [[Delfino Plaza]] in ''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]''. The Comet Observatory is a space station controlled by [[Rosalina]], and it acts as the home of both her and the [[Luma]]s, as well as a single [[Gearmo]].

It was built by Rosalina and [[Baby Luma|Luma]] after Rosalina agreed to take care of him. Over time, it grew to be too big for just the two of them. Soon, other Lumas came to live in the Comet Observatory as well, and Luma transformed into the [[Beacon]] that powers the Observatory.

The Comet Observatory normally comes into orbit around the [[Earth]] every 100 years, and during that time, the people of the [[Mushroom Kingdom]] celebrate the [[Star Festival]], thinking that the observatory is simply a comet. During the most recent Star Festival however, [[Bowser]]'s forces attacked the Comet Observatory, causing it to lose its power source: [[Grand Star]]s and [[Power Star]]s. They were scattered throughout the cosmos following the attack, causing the Comet Observatory to remain immobilized above the Mushroom Kingdom. He later attacked [[Toad Town]] during their celebrations. Only after [[Mario]] recovers five out of seven Grand Stars can the Observatory fly like a starship again. When this has been accomplished, Rosalina takes Mario (or [[Luigi]]) to the [[Bowser's Galaxy Reactor|Center of the Universe]] to rescue [[Princess Peach]].

The Comet Observatory can be accessed through a portal in the [[Gateway Galaxy]]. Throughout the game, there are plenty of characters residing here, including Mario, Rosalina, the Lumas, Luigi, and the Toad Brigade. Much like [[Peach's Castle]] in ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' or [[Delfino Plaza]] in ''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]'', certain parts of the observatory are unlocked as [[Mario]] gradually acquires [[Grand Star]]s and [[Power Star]]s. This is because the Grand Stars are used to power the large Beacon in the middle of the Comet Observatory, which enables it to transform into a comet and fly across the cosmos. Once five Grand Stars have been acquired, the observatory will have enough power to travel toward the center of the universe. After six Grand Stars have been obtained while the total Stars obtained is less than 60, [[Polari]] says that the beacon is the brightest that it can be.

There are six [[dome]]s located throughout the Comet Observatory, which act as Mario's means of accessing all of the galaxies that he will encounter in the game. In order, the domes are the [[Terrace (Super Mario Galaxy)|Terrace]], the [[Fountain]], the [[Kitchen (Super Mario Galaxy)|Kitchen]], the [[Bedroom (Super Mario Galaxy)|Bedroom]], the [[Engine Room]], and the [[Garden (Super Mario Galaxy)|Garden]]. Galaxies are accessed by collecting multiple [[Power Star]]s to unlock more and more domes. Additional Galaxies can be unlocked by feeding the seven [[Hungry Luma]]s that appear outside each dome (and the [[Gate (Super Mario Galaxy)|Gate]]). According to the Lumas, the domes are used to view the cosmos. Other areas in the Observatory are the [[Garage (Super Mario Galaxy)|Garage]], the [[Library (Super Mario Galaxy)|Library]], and the Gate.

After [[Bowser]]'s giant sun collapses into a massive [[black hole]] following his defeat by [[Mario]] in the final battle, the Comet Observatory is pulled towards the black hole. Parts of the observatory are broken off and scattered as [[Peach's Castle]] crashes into the side of it. However, the Lumas all sacrifice themselves by jumping into the black hole, creating a large explosion and reforming the entire cosmos. It can also be inferred that this explosion reformed the Comet Observatory, as it is seen intact in the ending sequence after collecting 120 Power Stars and defeating Bowser a second time. Rosalina transforms it into a comet once again and then flies off to parts unknown.

As the game progresses, the waltz-like theme that plays in this area gains more instruments, though the [[Gateway Galaxy]] theme plays instead before the player completes the first mission. If Mario or Luigi try to jump off the Comet Observatory, they will be enveloped in an energy-like bubble and return to safe ground. After completing [[Bowser's Galaxy Reactor]] for the first time, a countdown will appear on the tiles underneath Rosalina (talking to her again from that point on will result in her asking if the player wants to complete that level again) showing how many Power Stars are still left to be collected. When all of the stars are finally collected, fulfilling 100% completion, then the countdown will read zero and it will be possible to access "another world" and play as Luigi (first playthrough as Mario) or access [[Grand Finale Galaxy]] (second playthrough as Luigi).

[[File:SMG2 Rosalina Comet Observatory.png|thumb|left|[[Rosalina]] appears with the Comet Observatory in the ending scene.]]

The Comet Observatory is absent from most of the game, as its role as a hub level is now filled by [[Starship Mario]]. Once Mario has obtained enough Power Stars to access [[Bowser's Galaxy Generator]], he, Baby Luma, and [[Lubba]] witness from the starship a large comet being drawn into Bowser's fortress. This comet resembles the observatory as it was seen flying in the previous game, and Baby Luma's despairing reaction to seeing it heavily implies that they are the one and the same. Lubba speculates that Bowser must be seeking to become even larger, indicating he had been trying to steal power from the observatory and at the same time keep it from aiding Mario on his journey.

 

Once Mario has defeated Bowser for the final time and returned to Starship Mario with Peach, the two watch as the Comet Observatory flies up to them and Rosalina appears from inside, seeking to finally reunite with her lost Baby Luma. After thanking Mario for his help, Baby Luma takes his hat as a souvenir, so that he may never forget the adventures they went on, before departing in the observatory with his mother.

 

The final planet of the [[Grandmaster Galaxy]], where Mario encounters Rosalina once more later on, also resembles the Comet Observatory's [[Gate (Super Mario Galaxy)|Gate]].

====''Super Mario 3D World'' / ''Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury''====

[[File:SM3DW Rosalina Super Galaxy.png|thumb|The Comet Observatory as it appears in the background behind Rosalina in ''Super Mario 3D World'']]

The Comet Observatory makes an appearance in the background of World Star-2 ([[Super Galaxy]]), which is based off of the ''Super Mario Galaxy'' games. The Comet Observatory can also be seen faintly in the top right of ''[[Super Mario 3D World]]''{{'}}s full group artwork, and in the sky above [[Peach's Castle]] after the game's credits.<ref>{{cite|url=www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Gxx5rgxkdI|title=Super Mario 3D World: Ending & Credits (Spoilers!)|date=November 21, 2013|publisher=YouTube|author=GameXplain|accessdate=May 25, 2024|language=en}}</ref>

===''Mario Kart'' series===

A structure that strongly resembles the Comet Observatory appears on the side of the [[3DS Rosalina's Ice World|Rosalina's Ice World]] course in ''[[Mario Kart 7]]'', ''[[Mario Kart Tour]]'', and ''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]''. Instead of featuring a peach tent with purple outlining, it appears in an aqua color, but still includes the stars on the side of the observatory. It lacks any domes and most structures besides the beacon and the main tent, but in ''Mario Kart Tour'' and ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe'', it sits on top of a large circular brick platform. However, it serves only as a part of the course's background.

The Comet Observatory first appears in the title screen of ''[[Mario Tennis Open]]''. It is seen hovering with the [[Galaxy Arena]] above the Earth. It appears prominently as a background for the Star Open's Final cup, the Galaxy Arena. One can clearly see the contents of the observatory by simply switching the camera's angle.  

The Comet Observatory is seen in the background of [[Rocket Road]] in ''[[Mario Party: Island Tour]]'' for the [[Nintendo 3DS]]. When a character wins the game, they circle the Observatory in a victory lap. In this game, both the Fountain area of the Observatory and the [[Beacon]] are absent.

 

 

The Comet Observatory makes an appearance in the background of Mini Rosalina's levels in ''[[Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge]]''. The observatory has a few differences, such as the Garden platform and the Engine Room platforms having been replaced with glowing rings. The Fountain is much farther from the observatory than usual, and the front platform is, upon closer examination, missing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

SMG Asset Texture Prologue 01.png| Texture from the storybook-styled prologue cutscenes.

 

{{foreign names

|Jap=ほうき{{hover|星|ぼし}}の{{hover|天文台|てんもんだい}}<ref>{{cite|author=Nintendo|date=2007|url=www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/rmgj/prologue/index04.html|title=スーパーマリオギャラクシー：プロローグ|publisher=nintendo.co.jp|language=ja|accessdate=May 8, 2016}}</ref><ref name="smg1rosalina" />

|FreM=Comet Observatory

==Trivia==

*When Rosalina transforms the Comet Observatory into a comet, all of the Warp Pads are missing.

*When the player first unlocks the observatory, the ceiling and sloped circular floor where the beacon is are a dark shade of purple on the inner parts with magenta on the outer parts; however, if the player enters the Terrace or saves and exits to the title screen, then returns to the observatory, the dark purple turns to an off-white color.

==References==

<ref name="smg1rosalina">{{cite|author=シン|date=February 2, 2016|url=nicoco.net/sm28127180|title=【実況】ぽんこつ配管工 スーパーマリオギャラクシーでたわむれる　part1|publisher=Nicovideo|accessdate=May 12, 2016|quote=さすれば、この'''ほうき{{hover|星|ぼし}}の{{hover|天文台|てんもんだい}}'''も　{{hover|星船|ほしぶね}}としての{{hover|機能|きのう}}を　{{hover|回復|かいふく}}し}}</ref>

[[de:Rosalinas Sternwarte]]

[[it:Osservatorio Cometa]]

[[Category:Cosmic areas]]

[[Category:Super Mario Galaxy locations]]