Northern Star – Documentary

2025-Northern Star-banner

The history of astronomy in Canada and Victoria in particular is the subject of a documentary series that will appear on CHEK television on June 13 and 20, 2025.

The two-part documentary, Northern Star, tells the story of John S. Plaskett, the Ontario farm boy who grew up to become the founding father of astrophysics in Canada. Plaskett spearheaded the construction of the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory (DAO) just north of Victoria that is equipped with a giant telescope that was for a few months in 1918 the largest operating telescope on Earth.

Island Star Party 2024

The observing field at night - 2019 RASCals Star Party

August 9-11, 2024 – this year’s Island Star Party is being held at a dark valley 20 km north of downtown Victoria on southern Vancouver Island, BC, Canada. Camp on the field (by donation) or drop in (free). Setup your telescope and bring binoculars to enjoy observing the night sky. Everyone gets door prize tickets – win a telescope!