Dominion Astrophysical Observatory

4 May — 30 Jun 2018 at the Royal BC Museum in Victoria, Canada

2 June 2018

Test assembly of the rotating dome at Warner and Swasey’s factory. It arrived in Victoria on eight railway cars on March 22, 1916. Photo: National Research Council Canada

This bilingual travelling exhibit celebrates the first 100 years of the National Research Council of Canada’s (NRC) Dominion Astrophysical Observatory in Saanich.

The small, ten panel exhibit presents the amazing story of its founder, construction and some of the major contributions made to our understanding of our galaxy and the universe.

The exhibit includes historic video footage of Canada’s preeminent gateway to the stars and a large format hologram. It also includes a one-tenth-scale model of the observatory, built to help the designers test all possible positions and motions of the telescope and dome.

Royal BC Museum

Through research and learning, we strive to broaden understanding about our province and inspire curiosity and wonder.

Museum profile

Location

Victoria, Canada

Founded in

1886

Dr. K.O. Wright observing at the 1.2 metre secondary telescope. In 1962 Hyron Spinard used it to investigate the gases in the atmospheres of Mars, Venus and Jupiter. Photo: National Research Council Canada

Dominion Astrophysical Observatory Photo: National Research Council Canada

(1865-1941) John Stanley Plaskett (1865–1941). Trained in a Woodstock foundry he became a mechanical engineer and then one of the world experts on telescope design. Photo: National Research Council Canada

Dr. K.O. Wright observing at the 1.2 metre secondary telescope. In 1962 Hyron Spinard used it to investigate the gases in the atmospheres of Mars, Venus and Jupiter. Photo: National Research Council Canada
Dominion Astrophysical Observatory Photo: National Research Council Canada
(1865-1941) John Stanley Plaskett (1865–1941). Trained in a Woodstock foundry he became a mechanical engineer and then one of the world experts on telescope design. Photo: National Research Council Canada

Dominion Astrophysical Observatory Photo: National Research Council Canada
(1865-1941) John Stanley Plaskett (1865–1941). Trained in a Woodstock foundry he became a mechanical engineer and then one of the world experts on telescope design. Photo: National Research Council Canada
Dr. K.O. Wright observing at the 1.2 metre secondary telescope. In 1962 Hyron Spinard used it to investigate the gases in the atmospheres of Mars, Venus and Jupiter. Photo: National Research Council Canada