RASC Victoria operates an observatory on Observatory Hill. Please note this is a private and secure facility, for use of members only.

Observatory Hill - aerial photo by Matt Watson
Observatory Hill – aerial photo by Matt Watson

Location

NRC Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics
5071 West Saanich Road
Victoria, British Columbia
Canada  V9E 2E7

N 48° 31′ 19″   W 123° 25′ 14″  Google Maps
Elevation: 224 metres

Located on the north side of Observatory Hill.

Equipment inside

  • Optical Guidance Systems 12.5″ Ritchey–Chrétien telescope
  • Takahashi TOA 130S Apochromatic refractor telescope
  • Paramount ME mount
  • Celestron off-axis guider
  • Feathertouch motorized focuser
  • Kendrick dew control system
  • QHY600PH imager with 7-position filter wheel and filters
  • Canon EOS wide t-adapter for use with members’ dSLRs
  • Various high quality 1.25″ and 2″ eyepieces
OGS 12.5 & Tak TOA 130S telescopes on the Paramount ME mount
OGS 12.5 & Tak TOA 130S telescopes on the Paramount ME mount

Computers & software

  • Windows 10 computer with dual monitors
  • The Sky X
  • PHD Guiding
  • High speed Wi-fi network

Equipment outside

  • 20″ Obsession Dobsonian telescope with digital setting circles
  • 12″ Dobsonian telescope
  • Weather station

RASC Victoria Centre and National Research Council (NRC) have a Licence to Use Land Agreement in place which gives members of Victoria Centre expanded access to NRC property located on Observatory Hill, including access during times which are outside the normal operating hours of the NRC facilities.

If you are a member in good standing of Victoria Centre RASC, consider yourself an “active observer”, and if you wish to take advantage of observing from Observatory Hill, please read how to register as an Active Observer (members only).

Weather at the VCO – real-time weather conditions on Observatory Hill

Observing at the Victoria Centre Observatory (events)

Victoria Centre Observatory History

Installing the OGS 12.5″ RC telescope – time lapse video

Discoveries

  • Mar 12, 2013 – Pro-Am Double Star discoveries by Michel Michaud (RASC Victoria Centre member) were published. Full story