York University Observatory
in Toronto, CanadaCategory: Attraction
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Petrie Science & Engineering, North York, ON M3J, Canada Print route »
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Allan I. Carswell Astronomical Observatory formerly known as the York University Astronomical Observatory is an astronomical observatory owned and operated by York University. It is located in the North York district of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Opened in 1969, York's observatory is opened to both researchers and amateur astronomers. The observatory was renamed Allan Ian Carswell Astronomical Observatory in 2017 after York University Emeritus Professor of Physics Allan Carswell.The observatory owns two telescopes housed in separate domes: a 40 cm (16 in) Schmidt–Cassegrain telescope made by Meade Instruments, and a 60 cm (24 in) Cassegrain reflector. 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 will be replaced by a 1 metre telescope in November 2018. However, the 40 cm will be moved to a different location on campus, while the 1 metre will take its place in the dome (the dome will undergo construction in order to accommodate the new telescope).
The observatory is open to the public every Wednesday evening, and also hosts public viewing sessions for special events, such as Astronomy Day in 2006, Earth Hour and Science Rendezvous in 2008. There is no admission cost to visit the observatory.
Like the David Dunlap Observatory, 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.
