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Take a sneak peek through York University’s new telescope before it opens to the public

Posted on September 17, 2019

Would you like to view celestial objects through the Faculty of Science’s new one-metre telescope? The Allan I. Carswell Observatory is inviting faculty and staff at the University and their families to attend a sneak peek on Thursday, Sept. 26, starting at 7:30 p.m. (registration opens at 7 p.m.).

Installation of the telescope

The largest telescope on a university campus anywhere in Canada was installed on Aug. 16 at the Allan I. Carswell Observatory at York University.

“This state-of-the-art, one-metre reflecting telescope will offer students unprecedented opportunities to explore and understand the night sky for their classes and research,” said physics and astronomy Professor Paul Delaney, observatory director.

“For the public, unrivalled views of the night sky will be available every Wednesday evening starting Oct. 2 during the observatory’s regular public viewing sessions.”

Tickets are free, but limited to four per person to ensure maximum enjoyment and minimum wait times for the telescope eyepiece. Twenty visitors will be invited to enter the one-metre dome every 30 minutes starting at 7 p.m. Observatory team members will be on hand to describe what visitors are viewing as well as the characteristics of the telescope.

Faculty and staff should meet in Room 317 of the Petrie Science & Engineering Building about 30 minutes before their scheduled time.

Refreshments will be available.

Organizers request that you book your tickets by Monday, Sept. 23 using the Eventbrite links below.

Remember to dress for the weather. The observatory domes are unheated and uncooled, so whatever the temperature is outside is what it will be in the dome while you are viewing.

Eventbrite ticket links:

Aerial view of the telescope being installed