Since 1918, it has been a landmark, and the place where some of the country's best star-watchers learned about and observed the night sky. That dedication has paid off in some impressive discoveries, and now, it's earned the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory status as a national heritage site. The place was first opened and run by an astronomer named John Plaskett. The first mirror for the his giant telescope was built in 1912 and sailed to Victoria just before the outbreak of the First World War. Much of the equipment had to be hauled up the mountain on horseback.
The Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, a monument to Canada's honoured place in the study of astronomy, has been recognised as a national historic site. That puts the 92-year-old landmark on shared footing with such other local fixtures as St. Ann's Academy, Emily Carr House and the Butchart Gardens. Read more
Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, located on Observatory Hill, in Saanich, British Columbia, was completed in 1918 by the Canadian Government. Proposed and designed by John S. Plaskett in 1910 with the support of the International Union for Cooperation in Solar Research, when the 72" aperture telescope was constructed, it was very briefly the largest telescope in the world.
Plaskett telescope celebrates 90th anniversary One week could have made all the difference to one of Saanichs most iconic landmarks. As of next Tuesday, the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory atop Little Saanich Mountain will have been visible across the region for exactly 90 years.