Dominion Astrophysical Observatory

The white domes and buildings atop Observatory Hill form a familiar profile on Victoria, B.C.'s skyline and throughout the astronomical world. The long history of this observatory has helped establish Canada's international scientific reputation in astronomy.

The Dominion Astrophysical Observatory went into operation on 6th May 1918, and became home to the Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics in 1995. It is home to three telescopes, two of which are used for research.

The three telescopes are the 1.8-metre optical/near-infrared Plaskett Telescope, named after Observatory founder John Stanley Plaskett, the 1.2-metre telescope with its McKellar spectrograph (named for the Canadian astronomer who identified hydrocarbons in interstellar space in the 1930s), and a 40-cm telescope.

The centrepiece for the general public is the 1.8-m Plaskett Telescope, for a short time the world's largest telescope. Like the smaller 1.2-m telescope on the hill, it features the latest technology to capture the feeble light of distant objects, making the Plaskett Telescope some 10,000 times more sensitive than when it was completed in 1918. The 1.8-m and 1.2-m telescopes are used for research by professional astronomers from across Canada and around the world every clear night, some 200 nights a year.

The public has the opportunity to learn more about these telescopes by attending the wide variety of programs, courses and events offered at the Centre of the Universe, including our Star Parties featuring the Plaskett Telescope.