The Building of the Observatory
Black and white landscape photograph showing a forested area with pine trees in the foreground, a body of water, and distant hills in the background.
Two men working on a steam-powered drilling machine in a forested area.
Industrial construction site with partial steel framework and wood scaffolding
Construction workers building a concrete structure with wooden scaffolding on a rocky terrain. A large arch is part of the structure. There is a tree in the background.
Historic construction site showing an unfinished concrete arch structure with workers and a ladder. Trees are visible in the background.
An elderly man sitting next to a large circular metal disc in a workshop.
Model of an observatory dome with telescope and scaffolding, featuring small figures for scale.
Black and white photo of a large steel structure under construction, with workers on site. The structure features multiple curved beams forming an arch-like frame. "Hale Assembling Co. No 24837" is visible on the beams.
Black and white photo of a large steel dome structure under construction with several workers visible. The framework consists of metal arches and rectangular bracing, set in an industrial area with power lines and small buildings in the background.
Large industrial pipe placed on wooden supports inside a warehouse.
Man standing in front of large industrial machinery outdoors near brick building
A man wearing a suit and hat stands next to a large, industrial-sized wheel in a factory setting. The wheel is mounted vertically and held in place by machinery. The background shows various industrial equipment and structures, typical of an early 20th-century workshop.
Vintage large telescope inside an observatory with a metal framework and ladder.
A man in a suit and hat standing next to a large industrial machine with gears and a wheel mechanism.
A large metal structure resembling an industrial wheel or framework lying on its side, with a crane and industrial buildings in the background.
Black and white photo of a large dome structure under construction with visible steel framework.
Historical photo of an observatory under construction with a dome framework, surrounded by trees.
Large observatory dome under construction with scaffolding and workers
Two workers securing a large metal structure with ropes and equipment outdoors, surrounded by trees.
Historical black and white photo of a large, cylindrical framework being transported on a horse-drawn wagon with a person guiding it, surrounded by trees on a dirt path.
Large industrial machinery with gears and a man wearing a hat and work clothes seated on the machinery.
The Building and Early History of DAO
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In 1910, Canadian astronomer John Stanley Plaskett developed a bold vision to put Canada at the forefront of modern astrophysics with a 'great' reflecting telescope, culminating in the construction of the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory (DAO) in Victoria, BC.
In 1913, the Canadian federal government formally approved Victoria as the location for the proposed 1.8-m (72" ) reflector, intended to be the largest in the world. Residents welcomed the institution, with the May 13, 1914 Colonist remarking that "nothing can add more to the attractiveness of the city," and "Victoria will become a scientific centre."
The new project fostered interest from scientists and the public alike, as Victorians expressed support for the proposed facility. Premier Richard McBride and the Province of British Columbia welcomed the opportunities presented by the unprecedented instrument, financing the purchase of the property and building a road for the new observatory.
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Despite the difficulties imposed by the First World War, construction proceeded rapidly, with growing anticipation from the national and international scientific communities. Materials were transported up the hill by horse and wagon. The 5,000-pound mirror barely escaped the destruction of the Great War, and was shipped from Antwerp just one week before the conflict broke out. The building and telescope mounting were ready by the fall of 1916, but the project was delayed by issues the figuring of the large mirror for the telescope.
While the mirror had been shipped before the war, an auxiliary piece of optics was not. This introduced delays in testing the mirror. Other problems in figuring the very large mirror also contributed to the delay
The Victoria telescope was the most technologically advanced telescope of its time. Plaskett designed the telescope so it could point to any location in the sky (not all telescopes of the time could). The engineering of the telescope was also key to success at the DAO. An astronomer working with a night assistant was able to move the telescope and begin exposing a new target within two minutes - far faster than contemporary instruments. The telescope was a very efficient machine!
