Mobile Menu

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • West Coast Galleries
      • Nature Photography
      • Wildlife Photography
      • Cityscapes
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Accessible Travel
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • Newsletter Sign-up
  • Contests
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • West Coast Traveller Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Terms of Service
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • TikTok Icon
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Flickr Icon
  • Menu
  • Skip to left header navigation
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • TikTok Icon
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Flickr Icon

West Coast Traveller

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • West Coast Galleries
      • Nature Photography
      • Wildlife Photography
      • Cityscapes
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Accessible Travel
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • Newsletter Sign-up
  • Contests
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • West Coast Traveller Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Terms of Service
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
You are here: Home / Travel / Centre of the Universe reopens for astronomy enthusiasts in Saanich

Tours of the dome hosting the Plaskett telescope are included in admission to the Centre of the Universe. Black Press Media file photo

Centre of the Universe reopens for astronomy enthusiasts in Saanich

August 13, 2022 //  by Saanich News Staff

Share this:

Astronomy fans and those curious about space are celebrating the reopening of the Centre of the Universe visitor centre in Saanich, just outside Victoria.

Operated by the Friends of the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, the centre has been closed since March 2020, leaving the region without an interpretive connection to the night skies for the layperson.

The timing of the reopening is perfect, with cosmic photos coming from the James Webb Space Telescope inspiring people worldwide to wonder further about the nature and history of the universe.

READ MORE: 10 things to see and do in Greater Victoria for summer 2022

Friends board member Lauri Roche said the findings of the Webb telescope have ignited people’s curiosity.

“Everybody has been really made aware of it, that there’s some very different and new astronomy being done and that Canada is a part of it,” Roche says. Scientists with the Saanich-based Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Centre are also doing project management for the Webb project and are sharing what they’re learning, Roche added.

“We hope that by opening the centre here we’ll be able to showcase some of astronomy that’s being done in Canada, and just to show people that people that we’re on the world stage.”

READ MORE: Saanich observatory to include local First Nations history

Star parties continue Saturdays through Sept. 3, with a special finale scheduled for Sept. 17. The events feature children’s programming with an engaging presentation, dome and planetarium tours and astronomy-related crafts. Each week sees a new speaker and theme with two talks along with two tours of the Dome. Tickets are by donation, with a list of events available at centreoftheuniverse.org.

Through the week the centre is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and offers self-guided gallery tours, a short film documenting the site’s history, and tours of the domed home of the Plaskett telescope. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors and $25 for small groups of up to two adults and three students or seniors.

READ MORE: Victoria’s architecture steeped in history

Plan your adventures throughout the West Coast at westcoasttraveller.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @thewestcoasttraveller. And for the top West Coast Travel stories of the week delivered right to your inbox, sign up for our weekly Armchair Traveller newsletter!

Share this:

Category: TravelTag: Astronomy, British Columbia Destinations, Family activities, Saanich Peninsula, Stargazing, Staycation secrets, Things to do, Things to Do in Vancouver Island

Related Posts

You may be interested in these posts from the same category.

13 of the most surreal places to visit in the western US

You know those places that feel so dreamlike that you ask yourself, “Did I just…

13 of the most surreal places to visit in the western USRead More

Ancient species spotted along Trail shoreline offers hope for Upper Columbia sturgeon

What could be greater than a lunchtime stroll along the Trail Esplanade, with the sunshine…

Ancient species spotted along Trail shoreline offers hope for Upper Columbia sturgeonRead More

Sidney, B.C. museum launches exhibit on ‘most fascinating frontier’: space

A southern Vancouver Island museum invites you to explore the reaches of space with a…

Sidney, B.C. museum launches exhibit on ‘most fascinating frontier’: spaceRead More

Cloverdale heritage railway rolling out 2nd annual music festival

Surrey’s heritage railway is off to a busy start. The historic rail line in the…

Cloverdale heritage railway rolling out 2nd annual music festivalRead More

Crossing the Canada-U.S. border this summer? CBSA shares tips for a smooth trip

If you’re planning to cross the Canadian border during this summer travel season, the Canada…

Crossing the Canada-U.S. border this summer? CBSA shares tips for a smooth tripRead More

Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest transitioning to cashless collections on June 21

The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest will transition to primarily cashless collections for day and annual…

Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest transitioning to cashless collections on June 21Read More

5 ways to take an affordable family vacation this summer

You want to create memories and have a great time with your family this summer.…

5 ways to take an affordable family vacation this summerRead More

48 hours in Nelson, B.C.: Trails, taps and laid-back charm

I rolled into Nelson on a warm Friday morning, welcomed by a mix of fresh…

48 hours in Nelson, B.C.: Trails, taps and laid-back charmRead More

Brick-by-brick, stories beyond the history come alive in Kelowna this summer

Brick-by-brick, Canadian artist Ekow Nimako re-imagined ancient African kingdoms by building and envisioning a journey…

Brick-by-brick, stories beyond the history come alive in Kelowna this summerRead More

Previous Post: « Government House gardens recognized in national list
Next Post: For $7, take a walk on the spiritual side of Whidbey Island »

Primary Sidebar

Things To Do

13 of the most surreal places to visit in the western US

June 18, 2025

Ancient species spotted along Trail shoreline offers hope for Upper Columbia sturgeon

June 17, 2025

Sidney, B.C. museum launches exhibit on ‘most fascinating frontier’: space

June 17, 2025

Cloverdale heritage railway rolling out 2nd annual music festival

June 16, 2025

Recent Posts

13 of the most surreal places to visit in the western US

June 18, 2025

Ancient species spotted along Trail shoreline offers hope for Upper Columbia sturgeon

June 17, 2025

Sidney, B.C. museum launches exhibit on ‘most fascinating frontier’: space

June 17, 2025

Cloverdale heritage railway rolling out 2nd annual music festival

June 16, 2025

Footer

The West Coast Traveller has an immense social media footprint, with eight social media sites and and 125,000+ social followers.

Join us on social media and Join Our Community by sharing your stuff!

Get Inspired

News Media Groups

Black Press Media
Sound Publishing
Oahu Media Group
Alaska
Boulevard Magazines
Used.ca

Let’s Get Social

West Coast Traveller
I Love British Columbia
I Love Alberta
I Love Yukon
I Love Northwest Territories
I Love Washington
I Love California
I Love Oregon
I Love Alaska

Visit Our Companion Sites

I Love Saskatchewan
I Love Manitoba
I Love Nunavut
I Love Ontario
I Love Quebec
I Love Newfoundland and Labrador
I Love Nova Scotia
I Love New Brunswick
I Love Prince Edward Island

Site Footer

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • TikTok Icon
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2025 West Coast Traveller and · All Rights Reserved