What to know
- David Dunlap Observatory is hosting a free guided stargazing party beginning Monday, Aug. 31.
- Visitors will learn how to use star charts and binoculars before exploring the night sky with volunteers.
- No registration is required, but guests should bring binoculars, a flashlight, a folding chair and warm clothing.
- The event is weather-dependent, and visitors should check the daily decision before travelling to the observatory.
If you’re looking for a free way to enjoy the final nights of summer, one of the GTA’s most historic observatories is inviting visitors to turn their eyes to the stars.
The Richmond Hill David Dunlap Observatory is hosting a free stargazing party beginning Monday, Aug. 31, giving amateur astronomers and curious visitors a chance to learn the basics before taking a guided tour of the night sky.
According to the City of Richmond Hill, the event is scheduled to run from 8 to 10 p.m. at Observatory Park, located at 123 Hillsview Drive.
However, the party is weather-dependent and will take place on the first clear evening between Aug. 31 and Sept. 3.
Here’s what you need to know before heading out.
What happens during the stargazing party?
The evening begins with an introduction to star charts and basic observing techniques, showing visitors how to find their way around the night sky.
Participants will then use their own binoculars during a guided sky tour led by volunteers from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada’s Toronto Centre.
Volunteers will be available to help visitors identify celestial targets, answer questions and practise their new observing skills after the guided portion of the night wraps up.
The event is open to everyone and no previous astronomy experience is required. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Admission is completely free and no registration is required.
What should visitors bring?
Organizers recommend bringing binoculars, a flashlight and a folding chair to use while stargazing.
Visitors should also dress warmly and prepare to remain outdoors for the full evening, as temperatures can feel cooler once the sun goes down.
Despite the event taking place on the observatory grounds, visitors will not have access to the Observatory Dome, Administration Building or the site’s famous 74-inch telescope. There will also be no washroom access during the program.
Make sure the event is going ahead
Clear skies are essential, so Monday night is not guaranteed.
The event will be held on the first suitable evening between Monday, Aug. 31 and Thursday, Sept. 3. Visitors should check the organizers’ daily weather decision before travelling to the observatory.
If conditions cooperate on Monday, the city’s calendar lists the event from 8 to 10 p.m., while the RASC lists the guided stargazing portion from approximately 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.
A historic place to look at the sky
The David Dunlap Observatory first opened in 1935 and once helped position Canada at the forefront of astronomical research.
Its 74-inch reflecting telescope was the second-largest telescope in the world when it opened and remains the largest telescope in Canada. Astronomer Charles Thomas Bolton also used research conducted at the site to present direct evidence of the black hole Cygnus X-1 in 1972.
The observatory was designated a national historic site in 2019 and now welcomes more than 15,000 people to its astronomy programs each year.
The free stargazing party takes place at the Richmond Hill David Dunlap Observatory, located at 123 Hillsview Drive.
What could be visible in the sky?
The exact objects included in the guided tour will depend on cloud cover, visibility and which evening the event takes place.
If the party goes ahead on Aug. 31, visitors may be able to spot Mu Cephei, also known as the Garnet Star, through binoculars. The red supergiant will be positioned high in the northern sky, according to an August skywatching guide.
Saturn will also begin rising in the southeast later in the evening, while a bright waning gibbous moon could make some fainter stars and deep-sky objects harder to see.
Parking and getting there
Free parking is available at David Dunlap Observatory Park. The property also contains 3.7 kilometres of accessible recreational trails, although a portion of the trail system is currently closed for construction.
Public transit options are limited. According to the RASC Toronto Centre, the closest bus stop is served by YRT Route 86 at Essex Avenue and Weldrick Road East. Richmond Hill GO Station is approximately two kilometres from the observatory.
Those driving should use the observatory entrance at 123 Hillsview Drive rather than the park listing at 350 16th Avenue.
