We love the Saanich Observatory!: More than a 1000 people demonstrated support for Saanich Observatory on 'final night'

Friday, September 6, 2013

More than a 1000 people demonstrated support for Saanich Observatory on 'final night'

Click image to see more photos.

More than a thousand people attempted to visit the Saanich Observatory on August 24 2013, the last evening scheduled for public attendance. Most were turned away, as the facility can accommodate less than 200 people at a time.

I stayed at the bottom of Little Saanich Hill for six hours, taking in the public's disappointment and frustration at the decision to end public access to the Saanich Observatory. I also collected more than 600 signatures on a petition calling on the Federal Government to re-instate funding for the Centre.

This fight isn't over! I will continue to work on this issue until public access is restored. Please join the private email list - a sign-up form is to your left - so I can update you on this campaign. (Your email address will not be used for any other purpose.)

And check out great photographs from the 'final night'. Wonderful images to inspire us: we'll be back up there again!!

Lana

Lana Popham
MLA Saanich South

The Stargazers: 1955 CBC Radio Documentary about the Saanich Observatory

In the first half of the 20th century, Canadian astronomers were seldom heard from beyond the university classroom. But after the Second World War, interest in space travel, the planets and comets was growing. Science fiction was a popular subject in motion pictures, comics, and novels. In this special CBC Radio documentary, first broadcast in 1955, we visit the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory in British Columbia and meet scientists active in the study of the night sky. Click image to listen.