Mont Mégantic Observatory

The Mont Mégantic Observatory (French: Observatoire du Mont-Mégantic; OMM) is an astronomical observatory owned and operated jointly by the Université de Montréal (UdeM), and the Université Laval (ULaval). Founded in 1978, the observatory houses the second largest telescope in Eastern Canada after David Dunlap Observatory near Toronto.^[1] It is situated at the summit of Mont Mégantic, the highest point of Eastern Canada accessible by car. OMM is about 60 kilometres (37 mi) east of Sherbrooke and 190 kilometres (120 mi) east of Montreal.

Mont Mégantic Observatory

Dome of OMM's 1.6 m telescope
Alternative names	Mont Megantic Observatory
Organization	UdeM, and ULaval
Observatory code	301
Location	Notre-Dame-des-Bois, Québec
Coordinates	45.4558°N 71.1525°W / 45.4558; -71.1525
Altitude	1,111 m (3,645 ft)
Established	1978 (1978)
Website	Observatoire du Mont-Mégantic
Telescopes
unnamed telescope 1.6m reflector
Location of Mont Mégantic Observatory
Related media on Commons

The asteroid 4843 Mégantic is named for the observatory.

Telescope

The 1.6 meter telescope inside Mt Megantic Observatory

The 1.6 metres (63 in) Ritchey-Chrétien telescope is equipped with a complement of modern instruments. Imaging, spectroscopy, and polarimetry are routinely conducted at both visible and infrared wavelengths.^[2]

Light pollution

Efforts to control local light pollution, about one-quarter of which is due to the nearby city of Sherbrooke, have led to the establishment of the world's first International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) Dark Sky preserve around the observatory, covering some 5500 square km (2123 square miles).^[3]

ASTROLab

ASTROLab is an astronomy activity centre operated by the Parc national du Mont-Mégantic. There are interactive displays about the history of the Universe, the Earth and life. Visitors can take guided daytime tours of ASTROLab and the Mount Megantic Observatory. There are also astronomy evenings, an astronomy festival, and the Perseid Festival.

Solar eclipse of April 8th 2024

The observatory is near the center path of totality of the solar eclipse of April 8, 2024.

See also

• List of astronomical observatories
• List of largest optical reflecting telescopes

References

1. "The Mont-Mégantic Observatory - Observatories - Astrolab". ASTROLab of Mont-Mégantic National Park. Retrieved 2012-01-08.
2. "OMM". Observatoire du Mont-Mégantic. Archived from the original on 2012-01-29. Retrieved 2012-01-09.
3. "First International Dark Sky Reserve Is Announced in Québec!" (PDF). International Dark-Sky Association. September 21, 2007. Retrieved 2012-01-08.^{[permanent dead link]}

External links

• Homepage of the Observatoire du Mont-Mégantic
• Mont Mégantic Observatory Clear Sky Clock Forecasts of observing conditions.
• Astrolab du parc national du Mont-Mégantic Information about visiting the ASTROlab during the day.
• 360 interactive panorama featuring Mont Mégantic Observatory