Burke-Gaffney Observatory

08/10/2026

Join us on SMU campus between 2-4 pm on WEDNESDAY August 12 to see the partial solar eclipse with safe telescopes, free eclipse glasses, and astronomy experts. We'll be easy to find along Inglis St in front of the Burke building.

Get ready for an unforgettable day (and night!) under the sky on Wednesday, August 12. 🌠

Join Saint Mary's University for a FREE partial solar eclipse viewing event from 2–4 p.m. as the Moon covers nearly one-third of the Sun's disk over Halifax. The eclipse begins at 1:58 p.m., reaches maximum at 3:00 p.m., and ends at 3:58 p.m.

Then, after sunset, keep looking up! The Perseid meteor shower peaks that night under dark, moonless skies, offering one of the best chances of the year to spot "shooting stars." 💫 Find a safe, dark location, give your eyes time to adjust, and enjoy the show—no telescope required. For full information visit: https://loom.ly/PdqPgb0

SMU Science Burke-Gaffney Observatory

08/04/2026

Fingers crossed for good weather, we'll have free eclipse glasses plus astronomy experts with solar telescopes on the lawn at SMU along Inglis St. next Wednesday - August 12 from 2-4pm! Join us!

Partial Solar Eclipse Viewing Event at Saint Mary’s University

Join us on the Saint Mary’s University campus to observe the partial solar eclipse on Wednesday, August 12!

Astronomy experts will have solar telescopes set up to safely view the sun during the eclipse and free eclipse glasses will be available (while supplies last). Do you have eclipse glasses from previous events? Bring them!

We’ll be easy to find on the lawn along Inglis Street beside the Burke Building. Please feel free to drop by!
Date: Wednesday, August 12
Time: 2-4 pm
Visit https://observatory.smu.ca/whats-up for more info.

11/12/2025

10/11/2024

Spectacular northern lights image captured tonight at the Burke-Gaffney Observatory at Saint Mary's University Halifax by Devin Williams, PhD student & telescope operator.
Share your photos in the comments, we'd love to see them!

04/05/2024

Solar Eclipse Public Viewing Event on April 8!

The Department of Astronomy & Physics will host a free event on the Saint Mary's University Halifax campus for safe solar observing.

Drop in! No registration is required

Solar telescopes and free eclipse glasses available (while supplies last).

Date: April 8
Time: 3:30 pm to 5:45 pm
Location: SMU Football Field (entrance gate near Tower Rd, beside the Homburg Centre)
Details: https://observatory.smu.ca/eclipse-2024

05/11/2022

Exciting news! After a long break, the Burke-Gaffney Observatory is restarting its free public tours!

Our first tour will be the weekend of May 20-22. Space is limited so tickets must be reserved. Free tickets will be available starting Monday May 16 at 7pm at this link: http://observatory.smu.ca/bgo-visit/public-open-houses/reserve

More information about the tours can be found on our website. Tours will be continued throughout the summer (and beyond!) so continue to check back on the website for upcoming tour dates!

01/28/2022

50 years ago today (+/- a day or two), the Burke-Gaffney Observatory held its official opening ceremony. Circumstances of COVID restrictions and the lack of staff and a director at present made it impossible to organize a celebratory event now. Hopefully later in the year, my successor and the new director can celebration this important milestone!

03/15/2020

The university, as part of its COVID-19 virus response has cancelled all events and person-to-person class-related activities. This means the observatory's public programs and student observing sessions are suspended until further notice. The ROBOT will continue to operate!

12/19/2019

Astronomy Students: See www.ap.smu.ca/pr/bgo-students for information about how to access the observatory for your observing project and when it will be open:

SMU Astronomy/Physics People & Resources - a site for faculty and staff pages, Burge-Gaffney Observatory and other resources