Public Nights at The Hume Cronyn Observatory

"...read about the public night program in the Western News, and most recently in the Doon Valley Journal."

Astronomy Public Nights at the Cronyn Observatory occur weekly during May though August, and monthly during the winter (October-April).

There is no charge, and no reservations are necessary; come and go as you please throughout the evening.

This is a time to view the skies through the telescope and to pose your favorite questions to the astronomer hosting the evening. Objects viewed vary with the season, but might include the Moon, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, binary stars, star clusters, planetary nebulae, or galaxies. There is nothing like seeing these wonders with your own eyes! There will also be a presentation of general astronomical interest to be held in the lecture theatre at one or more times during the evening.

In the event of cloudy skies, the observatory will still be open for slides and a look at the telescopes, but closing time might be earlier.

Members of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada are also on hand with their portable telescopes set up on our front lawn. If you're interested in doing some astronomy as a hobby, these are the people to talk to.

Winter Schedule:

The observatory is open once a month (usually the last Saturday) during the winter months and on extra special occasions through our Exploring the Stars program.

Dates for Winter 2012: January 28, February 25, March 31, April 28. Start time: 7:00pm, closing time 9:00pm.

Summer Schedule:

The Observatory is open every Saturday evening during the months of May, June, July, and August.

Start time is 20:30 (8:30 p.m.). Closing time is 23:00 (11:00 p.m.).

Parking:

Check the Western parking map, or the Western visitors services web page for information on where to park. The parking lot just beside the observatory is open and free for the public on Saturday nights. In addition, the Springett parking lot, which is across Western Road, is open and free on weekends, along with one or two other lots across campus.