Two new observatory domes have been replaced in Toronto for the first time in more than 50 years, giving star researchers and observers a clearer view of the night sky.
The domes were originally erected in the 1960s and, according to York University Assistant Professor Elaina Hyde, director of the York Observatory, were beginning to show their age.
“They’ve spent about two years in planning,” he said. “We are finally able to replace them with something that can really compete and do modern astronomical surveys.
On Tuesday morning, with the help of a crane, the 6,000-pound domes of the Allan I. Carswell Astronomical Observatory at York University were lifted and replaced. One of the structures covers a one-meter-long telescope, while the other covers a 60-centimeter telescope.
The equipment uses a crane to install new domes at the Allan I. Carswell Astronomical Observatory at York University. (York University)
The new domes are also mechanical and programmable, which Hyde says is a great improvement and allows scientists to see the entire night sky without having to make any adjustments or reconfigurations.
“The old design that wasn’t possible, you should actually stop looking and reconfigure the dome if you move from a high target to a low target,” Hyde said. “Of course, all of these things would take time and mean you have to do a little bit of hassle and a lot of surveys and you have to be there in person. But what the new domes said is no problem.”
Hyde added that the domes can also be programmed remotely, meaning they can be worked on while researchers are at home with their computers.
“It’s more than anything we love. So more outreach, more student support, more research.”
The domes will be tested over the next few weeks, starting Tuesday night to see the super full moon, also known as the strawberry moon. Saturn, Jupiter, Mars and Venus are expected to be visible.
“We have a planetary alignment and a full moon tonight and our domes are back and it’s been a great day for astronomy,” Hyde said.
This story has been updated to say 6,000 pounds instead of 6,000 tons, as stated earlier in an earlier version.