Observatory facilities at the University of Saskatchewan are available for use by both university students and visitors to the campus. The telescopes and other scientific equipment are used by university students during the laboratory component of their courses. University personnel regularly offer tours of the observatory to elementary and high school classes, youth groups and other community associations. The Observatory is staffed year-round on the first and third Saturday evening of every month so that any visitor may view celestial objects through the telescope.

The Saturday open house schedule and the observatory tour booking form can be accessed through the links below. If you have any questions about the observatory or wish any additional information on any astronomical question, please email campus.observatory@usask.ca

The campus observatory was constructed in two phases between 1928 and 1930, at a cost of approximately $23,000. University funding was supplemented by private donations. A plaque with the names of many donors still hangs inside the dome of the observatory. Saskatoon residents will find many of the names highly recognizable even today.

Saturday Open House

(1st and 3rd Saturday of every month)

The Observatory is open, free of charge, on the first and third Saturday evening of every month so that any visitor may view celestial objects through the telescope. Visit the Hours Schedule for more info, or email campus.observatory@usask.ca for other information. Parking Info >>

Tours

Unfortunately, due to current labour shortages we are unable to offer private tour bookings at this time. Please visit us during our open house on the first and third Saturday of every month. Check out the photo tour in the GALLERY >> 

Viewing

The observatory houses a 3 meter long refracting telescope with 6 inch diameter lens. On clear Saturday nights (1st and 3rd weekend of the month only), staff will point the telescope at seasonal objects in the sky. Planets, nebulae, star clusters, galaxies, and even comets can be viewed at the right times of the year. On cloudy nights, staff present an educational slide show depicting objects in our solar system, galaxy, and beyond. The Observatory also features a small museum with a tour of our solar system. Exhibits also highlight the history and fundamentals of Astronomy, and there is even a display on black holes!