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All Canada British Columbia Victoria Centre of the Universe
AO Edited

Centre of the Universe

A cheeky name for an observatory visitor's center.

Victoria, British Columbia

Added By
Don Moffatt
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Centre of the Universe   Eminoro & Simon Villeneuve / CC BY-SA 3.0
Centre of the Universe   Eminoro & Simon Villeneuve / CC BY-SA 3.0
Centre of the Universe   Eminoro & Simon Villeneuve / CC BY-SA 3.0
Dominion Astrophysical Observatory   Eminoro & Simon Villeneuve / CC BY-SA 3.0
Dominion Astrophysical Observatory   Eminoro & Simon Villeneuve / CC BY-SA 3.0
A sunset at the Centre of the Universe. Photo by Ben Dorman   jodomo / Atlas Obscura User
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About

The Centre of the Universe is the visitors center for the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, a national historic landmark. The name "Centre of the Universe" is a play on the description "Visitors Centre" and the fact that it is at a place of astronomical research.

The CU, as it is commonly called, features galleries of information about astronomy research, the equipment used to complete it, and other astronomical topics. It is an active place of learning where approximately 90 school groups visit a year in person and more online from across Canada. There are also monthly star parties on Saturdays. The Centre of the Universe is run by a charitable non-profit called the Friends of the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory. New members are welcome. 

The name is also an astronomical joke as there is no unique physical central point to the universe. Spacetime is expanding from every point, and therefore all points could be considered the center of the universe from an observational point of view.

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Telescopes Space Exploration Astronomy Observatories

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The Centre of the Universe is at the top of the hill next to the 1.8-m Plaskett Telescope. See the website for visiting times.

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jodomo

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Michelle Cassidy

  • Michelle Cassidy

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April 12, 2023

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Centre of the Universe
5071 W Saanich Rd
Victoria, British Columbia, V9E 2E7
Canada
48.520373, -123.418758
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Nearby Places

Malahat Skywalk

Malahat, British Columbia

miles away

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miles away

Hatley Castle

Victoria, British Columbia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Victoria

Victoria

British Columbia

Places 15
Stories 1

Nearby Places

Malahat Skywalk

Malahat, British Columbia

miles away

Fisgard Lighthouse

Victoria, British Columbia

miles away

Hatley Castle

Victoria, British Columbia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Victoria

Victoria

British Columbia

Places 15
Stories 1

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