Dominion Astrophysical Observatory

Welcome to Little Saanich Mountain in Victoria, British Columbia, home to a true marvel of Canadian scientific heritage: the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory. As you stand before this iconic white dome perched atop the hill,…

Before we cross the threshold into the observatory, take a moment to critically examine the exterior of the Plaskett Dome. This immense, cylindrical structure, capped with its rotating hemispherical roof, is a masterwork of early…

Step through the heavy doors and into the cavernous interior of the dome. The sensory shift is immediate and dramatic. …

Look upward, and behold the magnificent piece of machinery that justified this entire endeavor: the 72-inch Plaskett Telescope. When it achieved 'first light' in 1918, it held the prestigious title of the largest operating…

The massive mechanical structure of the telescope is ultimately useless without its precise optical heart: the 72-inch primary mirror. The story of this mirror is a thrilling historical saga of international logistics and wartime…

Having examined the hardware, we must now turn our analytical focus to the profound scientific output of this facility. The Dominion Astrophysical Observatory is widely considered the birthplace of modern astrophysics in Canada. …

Our final point of exploration takes us to the public-facing aspect of the observatory, historically known as the Centre of the Universe visitor center. From the very day the telescope saw 'first light,' John Stanley Plaskett…

As our scholarly tour of the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory concludes, let us pause outside the dome and take in the panoramic view of the Saanich Peninsula and the Salish Sea beyond. We have explored a facility that…