Astronomy Open House

UVic telescope
Come see the universe through UVic's impressive telescope.
 
  The UVic Observatory Open House program is available on Wednesday evenings 
 

Each week, we will have discussions of astronomy headlines, a Q&A session and viewing through the 0.2m Celestron and the 0.8m DFM telescopes, if sky conditions permit.

Topic: Observatory Open House
When:  Wednesdays, May 14th - August 27th
Time: 8:30pm - 10:30pm 
Where: 5th floor Bob Wright Centre

For further information, please check out our Instagram page:

https://www.instagram.com/uvic_observatory

Join our mailing list at https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/uvic-observatory 

or email us at  

Health guidelines for attending the UVic Open House
1. Do a daily health self-assessment. 
2. If you have any symptoms from the daily health self-assessment, please stay at home and consult your physician.
3. Wearing a mask is now a personal choice. On campus, UVic strongly encourages the use of masks, particularly in indoor spaces where people are in close proximity.
4. Avoid crowding indoors/ at the telescopes
5. These guidelines are now all from the BC Public Health and apply to any activity or business in BC.

Please check the following links for further info

UVic Communicable Disease Plan:
https://www.uvic.ca/ohse/covid19/communicable-disease-plan/index.php

​Frequently Asked Questions:

Can anyone attend regardless of astronomy knowledge?

Absolutely! Everyone is welcome to attend, regardless of their astronomy background. Whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned enthusiast, the event is designed to be engaging and accessible for all levels of interest and knowledge.

In the summer, when is a good time to arrive?

As sunset is later during the summer, we run dome tours and an Astronomy Q&A from 8:30–10:30pm. If skies are clear, smaller telescopes will be set up on the roof. Once it gets dark (and if the local humidity level is below 70%) we may have the large telescope open -- however, this will be more difficult around the summer solstice.

What is the format of the open house?

Guests can move between three stations at their own pace:

  • Astronomy Q&A
  • Dome Tours
  • Small telescopes on the roof (if weather permits)

How long is the open house?

The open house runs from 8:30pm to 10:30pm on Wednesdays. Guests can arive anytime before 10:00pm and leave whenever they wish.

Is the observatory offering class visits? Who do I contact to organize?

We offer class visits on a limited basis. We have a maximum capacity of 25 people at a time for private tours. To inquire, email . 

Do you offer tours of the observatory during the day?

Yes, daytime tours are available.
To inquire, email .

Where can I find the most updated open house schedule?

This page is updated each term with the most up-to-date schedule.

You can also find updated information on the UVic Observatory & UVic Physics and Astronomy Instagram page.