Comet Observatory
- “When we get enough stars the Observatory can move like a spaceship again.”
- —Luma, Super Mario Galaxy
The Comet Observatory is one of the many areas from Super Mario Galaxy for the Wii. It acts as the 'hub' area, similar to Peach's Castle in Super Mario 64 and Delfino Plaza in Super Mario Sunshine.
It is accessed through the Gateway Galaxy and is where Princess Rosalina lives. 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 acquires Grand Stars. This is because the Grand Stars are used to power the large Beacon in the middle of the observatory. Once five Grand Stars are acquired, the observatory will have enough power to travel toward the center of the universe.
There are six Domes scattered throughout the Observatory. The Domes are used to access the Galaxies. Galaxies are accessed by getting more Power Stars to unlock more Domes. Additional Galaxies can be unlocked by feeding Hungry Lumas that appear. The Domes are the Terrace, the Fountain, the Kitchen, the Bedroom, the Engine Room, and the Garden. According to the Lumas, the Domes are used to view the cosmos.
The Comet Observatory is controlled by Rosalina with her power. Only when Mario rescues the Grand Stars can the Observatory fly again. Rosalina takes Mario (and Luigi) to the Center of the Universe to rescue Mario's special one - Peach.
When the black hole was created after Mario defeated Bowser in the final battle, the Observatory was also pulled into the zone. Just before it did though, part of it was crushed as Peach's Castle was pushed into the Comet Observatory's side, making parts of it be scattered like the Kitchen and even parts of the spire were seperated.