Canadian Astronomical Facilities

Drawing from the Pan-Canadian Science Protocol, many provinces have included Canadian contributions to astronomy and space technology in their curriculum. The sections below are intended to give an introduction to the various projects, institutions and programs, both past and present, in which Canadians are involved.

Ground-Based Telescopes

Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory (DRAO)
Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT)
James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT)
Gemini Telescopes

Currently Orbiting Space Telescopes

MOST - Microvariability and Oscillations of Stars

Launched in June 2003, MOST is Canada's first space telescope. The telescope performs ultra-high precision photometry of stars to look for changes in surface brightness caused by the burning of stellar fuel, or by exoplanets circling them. Dr. Jaymie Matthews (University of British Columbia) is the Mission Scientist, heading a team of seven scientists (five Canadians). The main contractor for the micro-satellite was Dynacon Enterprises, and the UTIAS Space Flight Lab handled the ground station design and operation.

SPIRE - Spectral and Photometric Imaging Receiver

To be launched in 2008, SPIRE will allow for high resolution imaging spectroscopy and photometry in the far infrared electromagnetic spectrum. Canadian contributions include test facilities for the instruments, software development and personnel for the instrument control and test teams. Six Canadian astronomers make up the Canadian Science Team for SPIRE, headed by Canadian Co-investigator Dr. David Naylor of the University of Lethbridge.

Joint Programs:

Canadian astronomers are also working jointly with astronomers from other countries on more space- and ground-based telescopes:

Atacama Large Milimeter Array (ALMA)
Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE)
James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)
Thirty Metre Telescope (TMT)

Canadian Universities offering research in Astronomy

(See also the Association of Canadian Universities for Research in Astronomy - ACURA)

• Bishop's University (graduate program only)
• Brandon University (undergraduate courses only)
• Laurentian University (graduate program only)
• McGill University (graduate program only)
• McMaster University
• Queen's University
• St. Mary's University
• Trent University (undergraduate courses only)
• University of Alberta
• University of British Columbia
• University of Calgary
• University of Guelph (undergraduate courses only)
• l'Université Laval (graduate program only)
• University of Lethbridge (undergraduate courses only)
• University of Manitoba
• l'Université de Montréal (graduate program only)
• University of Regina (undergraduate courses only)
• University of Saskatchewan (minor degree only)
• University of Toronto
• University of Victoria
• University of Waterloo
• University of Western Ontario
• York University

More on Canadian Astronomy:

News and Latest Research
Canadian Astronomers
History of Astronomy in Canada
Canadian Observatories profiled on the Virtual Museum of Canada
Canadian Contributions to Space Exploration
Getting Involved with Astronomy in Canada
Back to Canadian Astronomy main page

compiled by the CASCA education Webteam (2008)