Bellevue Observatory
New Eyes on the Universe Opening for the Montreal Community
Montreal, Quebec Oct,19, 2012 – The Montreal Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (“RASC”)in partnership with McGill University is pleased to announce the official opening of a new public-access astronomical observatory in west end of the island of Montreal in Ste.Anne-de-Belleview.
It the first and only public access astronomical observatory on the island of Montreal and is located at the picturesque Morgan Arboretum – which boasts the darkest skies on the entire island – making it an ideal place for urban stargazing.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially mark the opening of the Belleview observatory will be held on October 23, 2012 at 4 pm to 5 pm with special guest attendees such as the mayor of Ste. Anne-de-Bellevue and Canadian Space Agency representatives.
The project has taken nearly 10 years and has been funded by grants from various Quebec government minister offices and McGill University’s Physics department and Morgan Arboretum. The facility is owned and operated by the Montreal Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.
At the heart of the observatory is a 14″ robotic, research-grade telescope generously donated by former Montrealer Dr. David Levy – one of the most prolific comet discoverers in history – co-discoverer of Shoemaker-Levy 9 which impacted Jupiter back in July 1994.
Since it was founded in 1868, the RASC has fulfilled a special role in both amateur and professional astronomy. Today, it has almost 4,000 members who share a passion for the night sky and make contributions to astronomy in many ways. The Montreal Centre, which is one of 29 Centres of the RASC, has been bringing astronomy to the citizens of the Montreal Region since 1918.
Operating from their historic downtown location on the side of Mount Royal behind the Molson Stadium for more than 50 years the Centre decided to move to the darker skies of the Morgan Arboretum in the far west end of the island of Montreal five years ago because of poor access and the growing problem of light pollution.
The Montreal Centre is currently working on attaining an official Urban Star Park designation for the Morgan Arboretum – which would be a first in Quebec. The goal of the RASC’s “Urban Star Park” Program is to make available to people in cities accessible areas relatively free of light pollution for the enjoyment of the night sky and demonstrate good nighttime lighting practices.
Event: Opening Ceremony for Bellevue Observatory
Date: October 23, 2012
Time: 4 pm – 5 pm ; Ribbon-cutting presentation, moon observations (weather permitting), reception at Conservation Centre
Location: Morgan Arboretum 150 chemin des Pins
Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC info: (514) 398-7811
