In 1935, the David Dunlap Observatory (DDO) was presented to the University of Toronto by Jessie Donalda Dunlap as a memorial to her husband. Its goals of astronomical research, training of students at the University, and the fostering of public interest in astronomy have been met effectively since its inception. In the fall of 2007 the University of Toronto decided to sell the property and it was sold in July 2008.

A virtual tour of the observatory is here.

The David Dunlap Observatory (DDO) houses a telescope that is still the largest on Canadian soil. The telescope's primary mirror is 1.88 meters across and weighs 23 tonnes. Historically, the mirror was the first pyrex mirror cast and was the test mirror for the 200 inch telescope at Palomar. The DDO continued to produce viable scientific research and multiple publications each year.  This was achieved by taking observations using spectroscopy, and looking at objects in areas of the spectrum unaffected by urban lights, for example, the dark area at 5184A, close to the magnesium triplet and away from the sodium lines closer to 5900A. This was a perfect wavelength to study radial velocities of close, contact and eclipsing binaries. One of our most recent international observers said the DDO was instrumental in discovering that many of these binary systems were actually triple and quadruple systems. The DDO has also provided observations for MOST support and taking spectra of many novas and supernovas, and contributing data to several international publications and databases. NASA found our telescope efficient and effective enough to take observations from the DDO for their Kepler project.

Most famously, Dr. Tom Bolton found Cygnus-X1, the first black hole, using the 1.88 m telescope at DDO and has since used the telescope on a regular basis for his high end astrophysical research and international collaborations on major projects.

Due to the efforts of Dr. Bolton, Richmond Hill enacted light pollution abatement bylaws in 1995.  As well as hosting many visiting notable international astronomers, the DDO was home to many notable RASC supporters such as Helen Sawyer Hogg, Ruth Northcott, Wendy Freedman and Bob Garrison. The David Dunlap Observatory is also a source of great national pride!

Unfortunately, its future is in jeopardy due to pressures of urban development.  In documents publicly available at the Land Registry Office of Ontario, it can be found that in July 2008 the David Dunlap Observatory and parkland were purchased by the developer 'Metrus' for $70 million. This amount is well below market value ($370K per acre) whereas in Richmond Hill raw farmland sells for $600K per acre. The University of Toronto has agreed to take a $35 million mortgage interest free for 2 years until June 23, 2010. According to its plans, it is understood that Metrus intends to develop the lands into high density residential, high rises and retail space and it seems there is a rush to do this.

On January 15, 2009, the provincial Conservation Review Board hearings begin in order to decide the site's future. It will be argued by several groups to place historical, cultural and natural interest designations on the buildings and the land. The buildings and land qualify for UNESCO World Heritage Site designation but the application process takes approximately 5 years. Given the world-renowned history of the Dunlap property as a centre of astronomical research and its importance as a public space and urban wilderness, it deserves to be protected by the Ontario Heritage Act so it can continue to be enjoyed by current and future generations. It is our hope that the historic Dunlap Observatory will be designated so that it can be preserved and reopen soon as a working museum, research facility and will continue to provide a rich astronomy education experience for thousands of Canadian families.

Thousands of astronomy enthusiasts each year have looked through the 1.88 m telescope at amazing objects during the public tours.  Let us make sure that thousands more and generations to come will have the same opportunity to look at the heavens with this amazing telescope.

We need your help to save and protect the David Dunlap Observatory and the parkland surrounding it. We need your letters of support than can be presented in person to the Conservation Review Board at the hearing. Letters must be signed and received by January 14, 2009.  For the price of a postage stamp you can help save an important part of Canadian astronomical and historical heritage.  If you require further information, please contact me at hrdebond@hotmail.com. Please mail your letters to:

DDO Letter

c/o H. DeBond

1940 John St.

Thornhill, ON

L3T 1Z1

A sample letter that you could use is here:

• https://rasc.ca/sites/default/files/ddo-letter.pdf (pdf)
• https://rasc.ca/sites/default/files/ddo-letter.doc (doc)

Also, the following can be contacted (before Jan 15):
Richmond Hill Contact  

Dave Barrow

Mayor, Richmond Hill

Email: dbarrow@richmondhill.ca

 
Provincial Contacts


Aileen Carroll

Minister of Culture

900 Bay Street

5th Floor, Mowat Block

Toronto, Ontario  M7A 1L2

Email: info.mcl@ontario.ca

Reza Moridi

MPP Richmond Hill

Constituency Office

9891 Yonge St

Richmond Hill, ON L4C 1V1

http://www.rezamoridi.com/

Dalton McGuinty,

MPP (Ottawa South)

Premier and Minister of Research and Innovation

Room 281, Main Legislative Building

Toronto ON M7A 1A4

Tel: 416-325-1941

Fax: 416-325-3745

dmcguinty.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org

 

The Honourable Jim Watson

Minister Municipal Affairs and Housing

777 Bay Street, 17th Floor

Toronto, ON M5G 2E5

Tel (416) 585-7000

Fax (416) 585-6470

Email: jwatson.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org

John Gerretsen

MPP (Etobicoke-Lakeshore)

Minister of the Environment

135 St. Clair Ave W, 12th Floor

Toronto ON M4V 1P5

Tel: 416-314-6790

Fax: 416-314-6748

Federal Contacts


Prime Minister Harper

Office of the Prime Minister

80 Wellington Street

Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A2

Fax 613-941-6900

Email: pm@pm.gc.ca

The Honourable James M. Flaherty

Minister of Finance

140 O’Connor Street

Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0G5

Tel 905-665-8182

Fax 905-665-8124

Email: flaherty.j@parl.gc.ca

The Honorable James Moore

Minister of Heritage

House of Commons

Ottawa, ON, K1A 0A6

Tel 613-992-9650

Email: moorej@parl.gc.ca