Amazing Comet Holmes Easily Visible By Eye

We here in the northern hemisphere weren’t able to see much of the unexpectedly spectacular passage of Comet McNaught earlier this year. (It became one of the brightest and prettiest comets in the past 100 ears). But here in Canada we are perfectly placed to witness a different comet, Comet Holmes, that just went through an equally unexpected and even more remarkable brightening, going from an insignificant faint speck of light visible only through large telescopes, to now appear as one of the fifty brightest objects in he nighttime sky, easily visible with the unaided eye and a real treat in binoculars.

The public is invited to view Comet Holmes from the grounds of the avid Dunlap Observatory at 123 Hillsview Drive in Richmond Hill his Saturday night (November 3) from 7 pm to 10 pm EDT (weather permitting). Bring warm clothing and a pair of binoculars if you ave. Telescopes manned by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada ill be provided for a closer look. (The Observatory’s main 74-inch telescope will not be available for public viewing on this night.)

IMPORTANT: Please check the RASC’s website to confirm that the event is proceeding as planned. If weather is unsuitable on Saturday, we will try again on Sunday night, same lace and time.

Directions to the Observatory

On October 30th, the U of T Governing Council voted to declare David Dunlap Observatory and its adjoining 189-acre property as “surplus” land, so that it may be sold. A dozen Richmond Hill residents attended the U of T meeting to support Marianne Yake, president of the Richmond Hill Naturalists, who had formally requested to make a deputation before the vote was taken. Godwin Chan, Richmond Hill Ward 6 councilor was also in attendance and was prepared to speak to the University Council on behalf of Ward 6 residents. We were extremely distressed and disappointed when the Council Chair declined to allow Ms. Yake or any other member of the public to speak. In spite of the fact that the sale and eventual development of the DDO property would negatively affect thousands of Richmond Hill residents, the University of Toronto has made no effort to consult with area residents or consider alternative arrangements for the property.

Please read the full text of the Richmond Hill Naturalists’ October 29 Letter to U of T for more details.