Observatory Archives - Faculty of Science /science/tag/observatory/ York Science is a hub of research and teaching excellence. Fri, 20 Jun 2025 13:56:16 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 Open Air Astro Fair fosters learning, local support for 첥Ƶ observatory  /science/2025/06/18/open-air-astro-fair-fosters-learning-local-support-for-york-u-observatory/ Wed, 18 Jun 2025 13:50:44 +0000 /science/?p=38606 A collective passion for the cosmos is driving a fundraising initiative that aims to support the Allan I. Carswell Observatory at 첥Ƶ while fostering community involvement in scientific exploration.   The Open Air Astro Fair – which takes place from 5 to 11 p.m. on the first clear day between June 24 and July 4 at York’s […]

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A collective passion for the cosmos is driving a fundraising initiative that aims to support the Allan I. Carswell Observatory at 첥Ƶ while fostering community involvement in scientific exploration.  

The Open Air Astro Fair – which takes place from 5 to 11 p.m. on the first clear day between June 24 and July 4 at York’s Keele Campus – offers a unique opportunity for the York and extended community to celebrate the wonders of astronomy while contributing to the observatory's ongoing operations.  

Community members of all ages will have an opportunity to engage with astronomy at the Open Air Astro Fair.

The one-day fundraiser, which is expected to attract more than 500 attendees, will feature interactive displays and educational activities designed to spark curiosity about the cosmos. Attendees will have the chance to experience solar observation during the day and lunar viewing at night, with some participating vendors showcasing their products aimed at promoting science and astronomy awareness. 

첥Ƶ will be transformed into a vibrant hub of scientific inquiry where participants can see demonstrations showcasing solar observation, interactive games and hands-on activities suitable for all ages. The fair will feature opportunities for visitors to learn about sunspots, solar conventions and even construct their own astronomical fortune tellers. Activities will span across two locations of the Keele Campus – the Observatory Atrium atop the Arboretum Parking Garage and Allan I. Carswell Observatory Domes. 

Elaina Hyde
Elaina Hyde

“The fair's focus on collaborative learning aims to encourage a sense of community through shared experiences in science and education,” says Elaina Hyde, director of the Allan I. Carswell Observatory. 

Ticket purchases will facilitate repairs and essential maintenance for the observatory over the summer months. Each $30 ticket will fund Astronomy in Action’s planetarium shows, cover event costs and contribute to the observatory’s fundraising goals. 

Hyde notes that several local and national partners are collaborating for this inaugural event, including three Canadian companies exhibiting at the fair.  

If skies remain cloudy, a “no-go” notice will be published on the event website and sent to ticket holders by 9 a.m. daily, ensuring timely communication. If the event needs to be rescheduled due to inclement weather, tickets will automatically transfer to the following day's conditions, allowing for flexibility for those intending to visit. 

“By drawing people in through the allure of the cosmos, the Open Air Astro Fair demonstrates York’s commitment to engaging communities in science and discovery,” says Hyde. 

Tickets for the Open Air Astro Fair are .

Courtesy of Yfile

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Stargazing gets social: new partnership is changing astronomy at York /science/2025/05/02/stargazing-gets-social-new-partnership-is-changing-astronomy-at-york/ Fri, 02 May 2025 13:03:02 +0000 /science/?p=38323 This spring, 첥Ƶ’s Allan I. Carswell Astronomical Observatory (AICO) is drawing record crowds – not just from students, but from across Toronto’s astronomy community. The reason isn’t a rare celestial event, but a new partnership with the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada’s Toronto Centre (RASCTO). For the first time, the observatory’s powerful one-metre telescope is open […]

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This spring, 첥Ƶ’s Allan I. Carswell Astronomical Observatory (AICO) is drawing record crowds – not just from students, but from across Toronto’s astronomy community.

The reason isn’t a rare celestial event, but a new partnership with the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada’s Toronto Centre (RASCTO). For the first time, the observatory’s powerful one-metre telescope is open to RASC members and the public, marking a shift in how the University shares the night sky.

“We’re seeing new faces and new energy,” says observatory director Elaina Hyde, an associate professor in the Faculty of Science who notes that RASC members are now applying for telescope time and joining York-led public observing sessions at Downsview Park. The partnership, she says, is changing the atmosphere at 첥Ƶ – making astronomy more open and the conversations more lively.

The shift is especially apparent during York’s Recreational Astronomy Nights, a monthly event typically held on the first Wednesday of each month. Hosted in collaboration with RASC Toronto Centre, these sessions invite everyone – students, amateur astronomers and those who are simply curious – to gather in person or online for presentations, tutorials and hands-on demonstrations.

“Having the Recreational Astronomy Nights at York gives students an opportunity to meet RASC members who can communicate their enthusiasm for astronomy,” says Ralph Chou, executive officer for RASC Toronto Centre. He sees these monthly gatherings as “a form of citizen science that complements what the students are learning about in their classes.”

Elaina Hyde
Elaina Hyde

Once a niche campus event, Recreational Astronomy Night now draws a broader crowd and encourages deeper conversations about the cosmos. The next session, , will give the public a chance to experience this new dynamic firsthand, with RASC members and York astronomers sharing projects and tips in Room 317 of the Petrie Science Building, as well as online. After the meeting, visitors can join weekly public stargazing in York’s Arboretum – another example of how the partnership is making astronomy more accessible.

This approach reflects a broader trend in Canadian science outreach: making research infrastructure available to the public, even in urban environments where light pollution is a constant adversary. York’s advanced telescopes offer a rare, hands-on look at the night sky.

“The observatory’s facilities give the public a hands-on experience of looking at celestial objects with state-of-the-art equipment,” Chou says. “Even in the city, you can still make useful observations.”

That spirit of openness will be on full display at the York AICO Open Air Astro Fair, planned for the first clear night between June 24 and July 4. Running from 5 to 11 p.m. at the Keele Campus, the fair will feature solar observing, night sky viewing, planetarium shows, interactive booths and activities for all ages. RASC Toronto Centre will be on hand with telescopes for both solar and nighttime viewing, while York’s own astronomers will lead workshops and demonstrations throughout the evening.

As with any stargazing event, success will depend on the cooperation of the weather – a perennial challenge for astronomers in Toronto. For now, Hyde and Chou are watching the forecast – and the growing crowds – as York’s astronomy community looks upward.

Courtesy of Yfile

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Faculty of Science prof launches 첥Ƶ’s first astronomy podcast /science/2024/12/04/faculty-of-science-prof-launches-york-us-first-astronomy-podcast/ Wed, 04 Dec 2024 19:45:23 +0000 /science/?p=35887 Elaina Hyde, a professor in the Department of Physics & Astronomy in 첥Ƶ’s Faculty of Science and director of the Allan I. Carswell Observatory, has launched York’s first-ever podcast dedicated to astronomy. Hyde’s existing Monday night audio program, “첥Ƶniverse” – already boasting an archive of more than 500 episodes as a radio show, […]

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Elaina Hyde, a professor in the Department of Physics & Astronomy in 첥Ƶ’s Faculty of Science and director of the Allan I. Carswell Observatory, has launched York’s first-ever podcast dedicated to astronomy.

Hyde’s existing Monday night audio program, “첥Ƶniverse” – already boasting an archive of more than 500 episodes as a radio show, internet program and YouTube broadcast – can now be found on all podcast-streaming platforms, further expanding its potential reach and impact. Listeners can join the Allan I. Carswell Observatory’s group of professors, students and alumni for an astronomical adventure, covering history, news and telescope-viewing insights. 

Elaina Hyde
Elaina Hyde

“첥Ƶniverse” started in 2009 as an online radio show on astronomy.fm. When that station went off air in 2023, the show’s audio broadcast was incorporated into the Observatory’s online public viewing program on YouTube. Since radio shows have been reaching fewer and fewer members of the public, and podcasts have conversely risen in popularity, the Observatory realized offering the show in podcast format was the natural next step.

With a team of seven regular hosts and 10 repeating guests, the podcast covers topics including what the Observatory is up to, current research at 첥Ƶ and life on other planets. Some recent episodes have focused on retro rockets and spooky stars – a Halloween episode that coincided with the Observatory’s Halloween event.

“Since most of the hosts, cohosts and organizers of ‘첥Ƶniverse’ are current York students and Observatory alumni, it is a great chance for the community to share in the accomplishments of some of our most accomplished grads – and undergrads,” says Hyde. “The student perspective and knowledge included in the broadcasts offers a chance for everyone to join in the exciting Observatory discoveries and observations.”

All episodes of “첥Ƶniverse” are recorded live from the Allan I. Carswell Observatory on 첥Ƶ’s Keele Campus, making it easy for students and researchers to join in person. Videoconferencing programs like Zoom make it possible to welcome guests from anywhere in the world.

Past guest speakers have included Blake Nancarrow from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (episode 512), and science communicators Emily Lakdawalla (episode 270), Sara Mazrouei (episode 124), David Levy (episode 117) and many more.

Looking ahead, listeners can look forward to more interesting guests and more astronomy news in the episodes to come. Given astronomy’s new focus on machine learning and data science, Hyde and her team plan to provide a window into some of the latest developments in those fields.

“One of our big plans for 2025 is to set up an episode from our Killarney Provincial Park collaborators in Ontario,” explains Hyde, referring to the Allan I. Carswell Astronomer in Residence program held annually at Killarney’s dark sky preserve. “We are looking forward to bringing one of our astronomers live from the site during residence to discuss astronomy, stargazing and, of course, the telescopes.”

The team also plans to convert past archived episodes of the show into podcast format, increasing the public’s access to valuable astronomical information.

“Reaching into the fields of history, physics, chemistry and biology is one of the things that astronomy does best,” says Hyde. “With the ‘첥Ƶniverse’ podcast, we can do all of that and include a York perspective as well. With this new format, we hope to reach a wider audience of both student scientists and science communicators.”

The “첥Ƶniverse” podcast is available on the  and can be streamed on all podcast platforms. The live broadcast takes place every Monday night at 9 p.m. on YouTube in conjunction with the Observatory’s online public viewing program, where live or archival images from the telescope are shown, depending on the weather.

With files from Elaina Hyde

Courtesy of YFile

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Night skies to deliver winter wonderland of light shows this holiday season /science/2023/12/12/night-skies-to-deliver-winter-wonderland-of-light-shows-this-holiday-season/ Tue, 12 Dec 2023 19:10:09 +0000 /science/?p=30292 Media release from December 8, 2023 It may be wintertime, but the night sky is still alight with star gazing possibilities this holiday season, starting with the Geminid meteor shower. “This winter leading up to the new year looks to be a great one for astronomy. Although it gets quite chilly in Ontario, if you […]

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Media release from December 8, 2023

It may be wintertime, but the night sky is still alight with star gazing possibilities this holiday season, starting with the Geminid meteor shower.

“This winter leading up to the new year looks to be a great one for astronomy. Although it gets quite chilly in Ontario, if you wrap up carefully there are a few events this winter to look forward to,” says 첥Ƶ Assistant Professor , director of the Allan I. Carswell Astronomical Observatory, who is available to comment on the last astronomical wonders of 2023.

Elaina Hyde
Elaina Hyde

The first sky-watching spectacle will be the Geminid meteor show, which will peak Dec. 14 and 15, and is considered one of the best displays with as many as 120 meteors (or shooting stars) per hour. It owes its name to the constellation Gemini where the shooting stars seem to originate from.

The Geminids are associated with the asteroid 3200 Phaethon, and when Earth zips through its debris trail, the resulting dust grains appear as shooting stars. There will be many chances to see this one, and although dark skies are recommended for viewing, no binoculars or telescopes are needed.

The winter solstice is up next. Anyone watching the sunrise on winter solstice may notice that the sun is quite far to the south. “This is the southernmost latitude for the sun during the day due to the 23.4-degree tilt of the Earth,” says Hyde. “After the solstice, the sun begins moving north again as it goes across the sky.”

The points between the December (winter) and June (summer) solstices are important for anyone looking to place a sundial in their backyard or solar panels, says Hyde. This year’s winter solstice is marked at 10:27 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 21 with the solstice sunset at a very easy to catch 4:41 p.m. in Ontario.

The next noteworthy event is on Dec. 26 when what is known as the “Cold Moon” or full moon is in the night sky. It will be at its fullest at 7:33 p.m. in Toronto.

“Since it is the closest full moon to the winter solstice, in ancient times it would be used to mark solstice celebrations. ‘Cold Moon’ is an accurate name for the full moon on the shortest day and is a bit of ancient astronomy we can appreciate in the modern day,” says Hyde.

The full moon occurs when the sun and moon are aligned on opposite sides of Earth. When you see the full moon directly overhead in the sky, the sun is beneath your feet on the other side of the planet. Rising at 4:09 p.m. ET and setting at 7:54 a.m. ET on Dec 26, this full moon will be widely visible for the whole night and well worth gazing through a pair of binoculars, says Hyde.

That rounds up 2023 for astronomical events, but the New Year brings Earth the closest to the sun it can get – called Earth’s perihelion – at 7:38 a.m. ET on Jan. 2, 2024. At that time, Earth will be only 147,100,632 km away from the Sun.

Just into the new year, the Quadrantids meteor shower will begin Jan. 3, 2024, but it’s challenging to see and its peak lasts only a few hours. Interestingly, the constellation it was named for, Quadrans Muralis, no longer exists, says Hyde. Today, the region of the sky to look towards for this meteor shower is known as the Bootes constellation.

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Astronomers in Residence program returns for second year /science/2023/05/23/astronomers-in-residence-program-returns-for-second-year/ Tue, 23 May 2023 17:52:24 +0000 /science/?p=26981 The Astronomers in Residence (AIR) program, an initiative by the Allan I. Carswell Observatory, partners with the Killarney Provincial Park to enable astronomers to lead presentations and shows using the park’s observatory. It runs this year from May 1 to Oct. 15. Launched in 2022, the program calls on qualified astronomers to apply to run […]

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The Orion Nebula
The Orion Nebula – Allan I. Carswell Observatory

The Astronomers in Residence (AIR) program, an initiative by the Allan I. Carswell Observatory, partners with the Killarney Provincial Park to enable astronomers to lead presentations and shows using the park’s observatory. It runs this year from May 1 to Oct. 15.

Launched in 2022, the program calls on qualified astronomers to apply to run in-person tours two to five times a week, create observatory shows, YouTube livestreams and recorded video sessions, as well as author a blog. AIRs are offered free parking and lodging, as well as a $400 per week stipend, for their one-to-three-week residency.

The first 2023 AIR is Bruce Waters, who has been teaching astronomy within the provincial park system since 1985. He is the co-founder of “Stars over Killarney,” an annual astronomy program featuring topics related to the park, and the author of Campers Guide to the Universe.

Among other confirmed AIRs are:

  • Conor Hayes, a York graduate with a master’s of science in physics and astronomy;
  • Quinton Weyrich, a York graduate who is now an Outreach Coordinator for the David Dunlap Observatory, and was an AIR in Killarney Provincial Park last summer;
  • Mary-Helen Armour, an associate professor in the Department of Science, Technology and Society at York; and
  • Julie Tome, a York graduate, lead educator at the Royal Ontario Museum and a returning AIR from last summer.

The full summer schedule can be found here.

Those interested in an AIR application for one of the remaining spots this summer and fall can do so .

Throughout the duration of the program, those passionate about stargazing can follow along through the Astronomer in Residence Blog and livestreams on the .

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Observe magic of the sky over winter break and beyond /science/2022/12/19/observe-magic-of-the-sky-over-winter-break-and-beyond/ Mon, 19 Dec 2022 19:09:31 +0000 /science/?p=22796 Take in the night sky over the holiday break, and watch as some magical astronomy events unfold in December and into the new year. Located at York’s Keele Campus, the Allan I. Carswell Observatory supports student learning and research and is a hub for public engagement and outreach. It is home to a one-metre telescope […]

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Take in the night sky over the holiday break, and watch as some magical astronomy events unfold in December and into the new year.

Located at York’s Keele Campus, the Allan I. Carswell Observatory supports student learning and research and is a hub for public engagement and outreach. It is home to a one-metre telescope – the largest telescope on a university campus in all of Canada – and a 60-centimetre Cassegrain, both equipped with state-of-the-art electronic cameras. As well, the Observatory has five 20-centimetre telescopes available for outdoor viewing during special celestial events.

The Observatory offers a variety of free programming for the public, including public viewing sessions, group tours, our online radio show, online public viewing and more.

Here’s what to watch for in December, as suggested by Elaina A. Hyde, director, Allan I. Carswell Observatory.

Ursids meteor shower
Ursids meteor shower peaks on Dec. 22 and 23

Dec. 21: The December solstice will take place at 21:48 UTC. Also known as the winter solstice, it is the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. In the southern hemisphere, it is the longest day of the year and is called the summer solstice.

Dec. 21: Mercury will be at its greatest elongation, which makes it a good time to try and spot the planet. Mercury will appear at its farthest distance from the sun in the evening sky.

Dec. 22/23: Ursids meteor shower peaks on Dec. 22 and 23. The Ursids meteor shower is active annually between Dec. 17 and 24. According to Hyde, the shower usually peaks around Dec. 23. At its peak, observers may be able to view as many as 10 meteors in an hour.

Dec. 23: Super new moon. This new moon takes place very close to its perigee – the point on its orbit closest to the Earth.

Events to watch for in the new year

Venus and Saturn conjunction: In January 2023, the brightest planet Venus will become easier to spot as it climbs slightly higher in the twilight sky each evening. Meanwhile, Saturn will start January 2023 high in the twilight sky. But it’ll drop closer to the horizon as January proceeds. And – on Jan. 22, 2023 – Venus and Saturn will appear to brush past each other.

Additionally at York’s Keele Campus, the Allan I. Carswell Observatory does online astronomy viewings accessible to the public on Mondays and Wednesdays.

첥Ƶ’s 40-cm telescope
첥Ƶ’s 40-cm telescope

Mondays: The 첥Ƶniverse Radio Show is broadcast on Monday nights (9 to 10 p.m. EST October to March; 9 to 10 p.m. EDT April to September) on the online radio station astronomy.fm. Tune in every week for a new exciting broadcast about what is new in astronomy, this week in history, and amazing interviews with scientists from around the world. Running simultaneously with the 첥Ƶniverse Radio Show is the weekly experience on YouTube. Anyone can tune in to see live images from the Observatory’s four telescopes/cameras when possible, view reduced astronomical images, and chat with Observatory staff, who are happy to answer questions. Requests for objects to observe will be entertained.

Wednesdays: Prior to the pandemic, the Observatory was open for in-person public viewing every Wednesday night. In the absence of weekly in-person public viewings, the Observatory hosts a live on its YouTube channel every Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. This online version of public viewing is followed by a Q-and-A session with the Observatory team. In-person public viewing is only available a few days each month. Keep checking the Observatory homepage for dates.

“The next in-person viewing will be at the end of January, so bring your warmest jackets,” says Hyde.

Those who want to view old broadcasts or join in live can get the schedule with all the links from the Observatory’s new website: /science/observatory/ or join directly on YouTube at: .

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Astrophysicist Sarah Rugheimer appointed new Allan I. Carswell Chair for the Public Understanding of Astronomy /science/2022/07/28/astrophysicist-sarah-rugheimer-appointed-new-allan-i-carswell-chair-for-the-public-understanding-of-astronomy/ Thu, 28 Jul 2022 13:56:22 +0000 /science/?p=19075 On July 1, Associate Professor Sarah Rugheimer began her appointment as the new Allan I. Carswell Chair for the Public Understanding of Astronomy in the Faculty of Science at 첥Ƶ. Rugheimer is an astrophysicist interested in understanding how to detect life on exoplanets by looking for atmospheric biosignatures (i.e., atmospheric evidence for past or […]

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On July 1, Associate Professor Sarah Rugheimer began her appointment as the new Allan I. Carswell Chair for the Public Understanding of Astronomy in the Faculty of Science at 첥Ƶ.
Sarah Rugheimer
Sarah Rugheimer

Rugheimer is an astrophysicist interested in understanding how to detect life on exoplanets by looking for atmospheric biosignatures (i.e., atmospheric evidence for past or present life).

Previous to her post as the new Chair, she was a Glasstone Research Fellow and a Hugh Price Fellow at the University of Oxford. She received her PhD in astrophysics from Harvard University and completed a Simons Origins of Life Research Fellowship at the University of St. Andrews.

The Allan I. Carswell Chair for the Public Understanding of Astronomy was established in 2018 through a $3-million from Professor Emeritus Allan Carswell and the Carswell Family Foundation. The Chair is dedicated to science engagement and outreach and benefits students and the public through education and activities involving the telescopes at the Allan I. Carswell Observatory and other novel technologies.

“I am especially excited about the Chair position since it merges two of my passions: public outreach and exoplanet research,” said Rugheimer. “Most academic positions are focused on research or teaching, but the Allan I. Carswell Chair is unique in the world. It recognizes the importance of outreach and research together – that the two can complement each other.”

Rugheimer’s research interests are in modelling the atmosphere and climate of extrasolar planets with a particular focus on atmospheric biosignatures in Earth-like planets, as well as modelling early Earth conditions. Her interests include many topics in the field of astrobiology, such as the origin of life on Earth and the pursuit of detecting life on other planets and moons in the universe. She says she is excited to start a new exoplanet research group at York to pursue these interests and to share the joy of astronomy to new communities within Canada.

“For the first time in history, we are now finding planets that are Earth-sized and temperate,” said Rugheimer. “In the next two decades, first with the James Webb Space Telescope and later with follow-up missions like LUVOIR, the Large Ultraviolet Optical Infrared Surveyor, and LIFE, the Large Interferometer for Exoplanets telescope concepts, we will be able to detect the atmospheres of terrestrial extrasolar planets in the habitable zone. These questions of our origins and the distribution of life in the universe are the main driving inspiration for my day-to-day work.”

She has also been actively involved with public outreach. She is the author of Searching for Extraterrestrial Life, an astrobiology course for the public on Amazon Audible Originals. Her TED talk has more than 1.6 million views on TED.com. She received the Barrie Jones Award and the BSA Rosalind Franklin Lectureship in 2019, as well as the Caroline Herschel Lectureship Prize in 2018. She has also appeared on NPR and BBC discussing her work on modelling the atmosphere and climate of extrasolar planets.

Additionally, Rugheimer is an advocate for women in science, hosting the podcast with Professor Sarah Ballard (University of Florida). The podcast features wide-ranging conversations around navigating science culture and the importance of self-care for women scientists. Her other passions include dance and high-altitude mountaineering.

The inaugural holder of the Carswell Chair for a three-year term (2018-21) was University Professor Emeritus Paul Delaney.

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Two new observatory domes coming to 첥Ƶ will improve night sky viewing /science/2022/06/09/two-new-observatory-domes-coming-to-york-u-will-improve-night-sky-viewing/ Thu, 09 Jun 2022 14:50:25 +0000 /science/?p=16371 Media release from June 8, 2022 State-of-the-art, remote-controlled domes will replace old ones from the 1960s Two new state-of-the-art domes will replace the original 1960s domes at the Allan I. Carswell Astronomical Observatory at 첥Ƶ, opening the night sky for better viewing of planets, stars, nebulas and more. Preparation for the new domes is […]

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Media release from June 8, 2022

State-of-the-art, remote-controlled domes will replace old ones from the 1960s

Two new state-of-the-art domes will replace the original 1960s domes at the Allan I. Carswell Astronomical Observatory at 첥Ƶ, opening the night sky for better viewing of planets, stars, nebulas and more.

Preparation for the new domes is happening now on York’s Keele Campus. On the morning of Tuesday, June 14 (weather permitting), the old domes will be craned off and the new ones craned on. The time of the event will be decided Monday morning depending on the weather forecast, but media are welcome to watch from one of the designated safe areas.

“These new domes will be a functional and technological improvement, the likes of which the observatory hasn't seen since its construction. Unlike the old domes, the new domes will have an automatic control system that goes to a computer where you can tell the dome to follow the telescope. Not only is this a huge timesaver, it means we can collaborate with other astronomers and teachers anywhere in the world for research and outreach,” says Assistant Professor , observatory director. “To get the best use out of the recent one-metre telescope, plus the 60cm telescope, which we already had, it was well time we replaced the domes.”

As the old domes are some 50 years old, the system that controls them has been a patchwork of various electronic fixes over the years.

“These new domes will give us a massive upgrade in terms of our technology. We can come at the beginning of the night, set up the telescope, and then operate them from home, which is something we can’t do right now with the dome for the one-metre telescope,” says grad student Sunna Withers of the Faculty of Science.

The design of the new domes will allow for a larger viewing area as the top part of the shutter opens up and the bottom part flips down, exposing more of the sky. It will also now follow the telescope as it moves. One of the main advantages will be the ability to expand research and public observing activities.

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Mysterious dead cluster galaxy found in thriving ancient galaxy city /science/2022/02/11/mysterious-dead-cluster-galaxy-found-in-thriving-ancient-galaxy-city/ Fri, 11 Feb 2022 13:59:43 +0000 /science/?p=13166 Media release from February 10, 2022 The discovery of a massive dead cluster of galaxies in a young universe full of star producing galaxies, close to 12 billion light-years away from Earth, has surprised an international team, including researchers from 첥Ƶ. York researchers discovered a large galaxy structure, also known as a protocluster, and […]

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The discovery of a massive dead cluster of galaxies in a young universe full of star producing galaxies, close to 12 billion light-years away from Earth, has surprised an international team, including researchers from 첥Ƶ.

Adam Muzzin
Adam Muzzin

York researchers discovered a large galaxy structure, also known as a protocluster, and partnered with international collaborators and researchers at the University of California, Riverside, who led the effort to explore it in further detail using the largest telescope in the world at the W. M. Keck Observatory in Hawaii.

“The Universe is filled with these clusters of galaxies. They’re everywhere,” says Professor Adam Muzzin of the Faculty of Science, 첥Ƶ. “One of things we were looking at was these galaxies very far in the past and when you look at them in the past, they are all still forming stars, but this one is really different. It was no longer forming stars, while all its neighbours were.”

The newly discovered growing galactic metropolis, named MAGAZ3NE J095924+022537, is a massive newborn galaxy cluster consisting of at least 38 member galaxies. When viewing the galaxy, scientists are looking back in time to when this universe was less than two billion years old.

Image caption: In the early Universe, all previously discovered distant protoclusters like, for example, “The Spiderweb” (left: artist’s impression) are full of vigorously star-forming galaxies. In contrast, the newly-discovered protocluster “MAGAZ3NE J095924+022537” contains a high fraction of red and dead galaxies like the nearby “Coma” cluster (right). The discovery of an ancient cluster containing galaxies which resemble those found in modern clusters was a huge surprise. Image credits: Spiderweb: M. Kornmesser/ESO; Coma: Russ Carroll, Robert Gendler, & Bob Franke/Dan Zowada Memorial Observatory.

“What we were trying to do initially is see how far in the past can we see these massive galaxies and whether or not they have started forming or accumulating this cluster like structure,” says York Visiting Professor Cemile Marsan. “What we found is surprising. Not only do we see an over density of galaxies around this one massive galaxy, we also found that they have already advanced quite a bit in their evolution.”

headshot of York visiting prof Cemile Marsan
Cemile Marsan

Researchers weren’t expecting to see this dying out of galaxies at this epoch in time. Galaxy clusters grow over time under gravity and, in the present-day universe, can contain hundreds or even thousands of galaxies, as well as hot gas and dark matter. As time goes by, their galaxies burn through the fuel available and evolve from vigorously star-forming galaxies into red and dead galaxies.

“In the early universe, all protoclusters discovered until now are full of vigorously star-forming galaxies,” said Ian McConachie, a graduate student at the University of California, Riverside, and the lead author of the research paper. “But incredibly, unlike all of the other protoclusters which have been found at this epoch, many galaxies in MAGAZ3NE J0959 appear to have already stopped forming stars.”

The finding raises many questions and could test the current paradigm of how protoclusters are formed, especially if more dead cluster galaxies are found. In the future, Muzzin and Marsan hope to be able to explore further using the new  as there could be others like it out there that have yet to be found.

How do you find something like this?

The team used spectroscopic observations from the W. M. Keck Observatory’s Multi-Object Spectrograph for Infrared Exploration, or MOSFIRE, to make detailed measurements of MAGAZ3NE J0959 and precisely quantify its distances.

“There is a degree of serendipity about it. It’s like with archeologists – you see a building sticking out and you start digging, and sometimes it’s just a wall and sometimes it’s an entire city with pots and pans,” says Muzzin. “You don’t know until you actually start digging and that’s the same with astronomy. Sometimes you look and there isn’t much there, and then other times you find something surprising and different.”

Closely associated to the question of how ultramassive galaxies (UMGs) form, is the question of the environment in which they form. Are they always found in over dense environments like protoclusters or can they also form in isolation? Next, the team plans to study the neighbourhood of all of the other UMGs in the MAGAZ3NE (Massive Ancient Galaxies At z>3 NEar-infrared) survey to answer this question.

“We don’t think we’ve mapped out the whole structure. We’ve kind of looked at one corner of it and saw an over density of galaxies, but there are the other sides of it we haven’t looked at,” says Marsan, adding, “It’s one of the most distant structures discovered – and the oldest in such a young universe by far – so that’s what sets it apart.”

The paper, “,” is published in the Astrophysical Journal.

Other researchers involved in the study are Gillian Wilson of University of California, Riverside; Benjamin Forrest of University of California, Davis; Michael Cooper of UC Irvine; Marianna Annunziatella and Danilo Marchesini of Tufts University; Jeffrey Chan and Mohamed Abdullah of UCR; Percy Gomez of Keck Observatory; Paolo Saracco of the Astronomical Observatory of Brera, Italy; Julie Nantais of Andrés Bello National University, Santiago, Chile.

The study was supported by grants from the National Science Foundation and NASA.

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Community Outreach /science/community-alumni/community-outreach/ Thu, 16 Jul 2020 01:43:47 +0000 /science/?page_id=654 Speakers Bureau Schools and other community organizations can schedule talks by our professors on a wide variety of scientific topics. Book your speaker now!  Learn more about our Speakers Bureau Observatory The Allan I. Carswell Observatory is home to a one-metre telescope, the largest on a Canadian campus. It hosts public viewings, tours, an online radio show and more. Learn […]

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Schools and other community organizations can schedule talks by our professors on a wide variety of scientific topics. Book your speaker now! 

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The Allan I. Carswell Observatory is home to a one-metre telescope, the largest on a Canadian campus. It hosts public viewings, tours, an online radio show and more.

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We participate in the annual nation-wide Science Rendezvous, a public science event with demonstrations and hands-on activities for all ages. 

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