The Allan I. Carswell Astronomical Observatory, formerly known as the York University Astronomical Observatory, is an

astronomical Astronomy () is a natural science that studies celestial objects and phenomena. It uses mathematics, physics, and chemistry in order to explain their origin and evolution. Objects of interest include planets, moons, stars, nebulae, galaxi ...

observatory owned and operated by

York University York University (french: Université York), also known as YorkU or simply YU, is a public university, public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's fourth-largest university, and it has approximately 55,700 students, 7,0 ...

. It is located in the North York district of

Toronto Toronto ( ; or ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the most populous city in Canada and the fourth most populous city in North America. The city is the anch ...

Ontario Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central C ...

, Canada. Opened in 1969, York's observatory is opened to both researchers and amateur astronomers. The observatory was renamed the Allan Ian Carswell Astronomical Observatory in 2017 after York University Emeritus Professor of Physics

Allan Carswell Allan Ian Carswell, Order of Canada, CM, Royal Society of Canada, FRSC (born 1933) is a physicist and researcher in the field of laser radar (lidar) applications. Carswell has been actively engaged in the study of the properties and applications of ...

. The observatory owns two telescopes housed in separate domes: a Cassegrain reflector, and a custom-built telescope, the largest at a university in Canada. Other smaller portable telescopes are available for visitor use. Telescopes 1 and 2 are located at the main building at Petrie, and the remainder at Arboretum Observing Facility on the roof of the Arboretum Parking Garage. The observatory's 40 cm cassegrain telescope, usually used for public outreach and observing, was replaced by a 1 metre telescope in August 2019, with the 40 cm telescope moved to the Arboretum Observing Facility. The observatory is open to the public every Wednesday evening, and also hosts public viewing sessions for special events, such as

Astronomy Day Astronomy Day is an annual event in the United States and later in other countries, intended to provide a means of interaction between the general public and various astronomy enthusiasts, groups and professionals. History This event was start ...

in 2006, Earth Hour and Science Rendezvous in 2008. There is no admission cost to visit the observatory. Like the

David Dunlap Observatory The David Dunlap Observatory (DDO) is an astronomical observatory site in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada. Established in 1935, it was owned and operated by the University of Toronto until 2008. It was then acquired by the city of Richmond Hill, ...

, York's location is subject to nearby light pollution. York is located away from residential neighbourhoods, but it is still subject to lights on campus and the surrounding business at the Keele location.

Gallery

File:60 cm telescope.jpg, File:Solar Observing Clear skies.jpg, Image:The 40cm Meade in York University Observatory.jpg, File:Public Viewing .jpg, File:Solar Observing at YorkU.jpg, Image:YorkUniversityObservatory3.jpg, Image:MoonYorkUObservatory.jpg,

References

External links

Official web site
Forecasts of observing conditions. {{Portal bar, Canada, Astronomy, Stars, Spaceflight, Outer space, Solar System Astronomical observatories in Canada York University buildings Buildings and structures completed in 1969 Buildings and structures in Toronto North York Brutalist architecture in Canada

Gallery

See also

References

External links