Tours

Visitors and guests of the Observatory may enjoy exclusive tours of Canada's national radio observatory. Experienced guides provide a one-hour introductory tour of the Observatory building and instrumentation. See Canada's largest radio antenna--a whopping 46 metres (150 feet) in diameter! See the Observatory in operation. A behind-the-scenes tour and guide to the operation of the Observatory is also available to visitors and researchers. Additionally, the Observatory hosts speakers on subjects including radio astronomy and space science.

Tour schedule

The Observatory tour is approximately one hour and starts from the Observatory House on Lake Travers. See the Observatory's Hydrogen Maser, one of the finest atomic clocks in the world. See inside Canada's largest radio antenna. Tour includes an optional visit to the antenna's observation deck which may not be suitable for all visitors. Sturdy footwear is recommended. Visitors must obtain a park permit to access the site.

The tour of the Observatory is $12.50 per person including tax. Spaces are limited, so reservations are required.

Want the complete experience? Join one of our observatory celestial-viewing weekends: