Comet Observatory

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Comet Observatory
SMG Comet Observatory Front Overview.png
First appearance Super Mario Galaxy (2007)
Latest appearance Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope (2022)
Greater location Outer space
Ruler Rosalina
Inhabitants Lumas (Baby Luma, Comet Tico, Hungry Lumas, Polari), Gearmo
“Welcome to the Comet Observatory. It's my home, and also home to the Lumas.”
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 Lumas, as well as a single Gearmo.

History

Super Mario series

Super Mario Galaxy

Comet Observatory
SMG Comet Observatory Bedroom Overview.png
The Comet Observatory as viewed from a circular platform by the Bedroom.
Game Super Mario Galaxy
Super Mario 3D All-Stars
Level(s) 13 (outside of domes)
<< List of worlds >>

It was built by Rosalina and 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 Stars and Power Stars. 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 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 Stars and Power Stars. 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 domes 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, the Fountain, the Kitchen, the Bedroom, the Engine Room, and the Garden. Galaxies are accessed by collecting multiple Power Stars to unlock more and more domes. Additional Galaxies can be unlocked by feeding the seven Hungry Lumas that appear outside each dome (and the Gate). According to the Lumas, the domes are used to view the cosmos. Other areas in the Observatory are the Garage, the 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 play as Luigi (first playthrough as Mario) or access Grand Finale Galaxy (second playthrough as Luigi).

Super Mario Galaxy 2

Rosalina and the Comet Observatory in the ending of Super Mario Galaxy 2
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 3D World / Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury

Rosalina as a playable character performing a Spin Attack. This image also shows a Pixel Luigi coming out of a Warp Box.
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.[1]

Mario Kart series

Comet Observatory, from Mario Kart 7.
The Comet Observatory in Mario Kart 7

A structure that strongly resembles the Comet Observatory appears on the side of the Rosalina's Ice World course in Mario Kart 7, Mario Kart Tour, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Instead of being a peach color with purple outlining, it appears in an aqua color, but still includes the stars on the side of the observatory, hinting that this is the Comet Observatory. However, it serves only as a part of the course's background.

Mario Tennis Open

The Comet Observatory in Mario Tennis Open.
The Comet Observatory as it appears in Mario Tennis Open

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.

When the game is played in Tournament Mode for the first time and the player beats the World Open, the player receives an invitation from the Comet Observatory stating that the player is now proclaimed as a Star Player and is now able to play in the Star Open.

Mario Party: Island Tour

Comet Observatory in Mario Party: Island Tour.
The Comet Observatory in Mario Party: Island Tour

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.

Mario Golf: World Tour

The Comet Observatory appears in Mario Golf: World Tour in Rosalina's best post-hole animations.

Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge

Image of an unnamed level in Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge
The Comet Observatory in the background in Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge

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.

Mario Sports Superstars

Since Mario Sports Superstars reuses Rosalina's golf animations from Mario Golf: World Tour, the Comet Observatory reappears in the same capacity.

Dr. Mario World

In Dr. Mario World, the Comet Observatory appears in the second area of World 8. When the second area is cleared, the Beacon lights up.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope

The Comet Observatory appears in Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope, where it is taken over by Cursa and made a part of Cursa's stronghold. The observatory's beacon becomes the source of all Darkmess spreading across the galaxy, and also serves as the entrance to the core of the Darkmess Dimension where Cursa resides.

Music

Main article: Rosalina in the Observatory
Audio.svg Rosalina in the Observatory 1 - Comet Observatory theme before beating The Fiery Stronghold.
File infoMedia:Comet Observatory 1 Super Mario Galaxy.oga
0:30
Audio.svg Rosalina in the Observatory 2 - Comet Observatory theme after beating The Fiery Stronghold and before beating Darkness on the Horizon.
File infoMedia:Comet Observatory 2 Super Mario Galaxy.oga
0:30
Audio.svg Rosalina in the Observatory 3 - Comet Observatory theme after beating Darkness on the Horizon.
File infoMedia:Comet Observatory 3 Super Mario Galaxy.oga
0:30
Help:MediaHaving trouble playing?

The Comet Observatory's background music is titled "Rosalina in the Observatory". It has made multiple reappearances in later games, including Super Mario Galaxy 2, the Super Smash Bros. series, Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, and Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope.

Gallery

Super Mario Galaxy

Subsequent appearances

Names in other languages

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese ほうき天文台[2][3]
Hōkiboshi no Tenmondai
Comet Observatory
Chinese (simplified) 长尾星天文台[?]
Chángwěi Xīng Tiānwéntái
Comet Observatory
Chinese (traditional) 掃帚星天文台[?]
Sàozhǒu Xīng Tiānwéntái
Comet Observatory
Dutch Kometenobservatorium
Kometenwacht (Mario Golf: World Tour only)
[?]
Comet Observatory
A portmanteau of Komeet (Comet) and Sterrenwacht (Observatory)
German Sternwarte des Kometen[?] Comet Observatory
Italian Osservatorio Cometa[?] Comet Observatory
Korean 별똥별 천문대
Byeolddongbyeol Cheonmundae
[?]
Shooting Star Observatory
Portuguese (NOA) Observatório Cometa[?] Comet Observatory
Russian Обсерватория «Комета»[?]
Observatoriya «Kometa»
"Comet" Observatory
Spanish Planetarium del Cometa[?] Comet Planetarium

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 is 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 returns to the title screen then returns to the observatory, the dark purple turns to an off white color.

See also

References

  1. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Gxx5rgxkdI
  2. ^ Nintendo (2007). スーパーマリオギャラクシー:プロローグ. nintendo.co.jp. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  3. ^ シン (February 2, 2016). 【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. Nicovideo. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
    Rosalina's dialogue: "さすれば、このほうき天文台も 星船としての機能を 回復し"