U of M opens new observatory [Video]

A new observatory at the University of Manitoba just needs your phone and a Wi-Fi connection to help stargazers connect with the cosmos.

The university opened a new remote observatory in Glenlea, Man. on Tuesday. The observatory consists of a dome and a CDK 350 telescope.

“It’s not so easy to bring everybody out to Hawaii or to Chile, and actually work with some of the big eight-metre telescopes that we have today,” said Tyrone Woods, an assistant professor at the University of Manitoba.

“This gives them a chance to actually get that hands-on experience that’s going to be invaluable on the job market, whether they’re working in astronomy or any of the number of fields that overlap with astronomical techniques and methodology today.”

Students are able to access the telescope at the observatory and make readings from anywhere in the world if they have an internet connection. (Jamie Dowsett/CTV …