The first national observatories were built for two practical reasons: to provide accurate timekeeping, and to assist surveyors with mapping. As technology developed, telescopes became larger and provided more detailed images. Astronomers, in turn, became increasing interested in understanding the stars and objects that they could now see using these higher-resolution telescopes.

The 15" refracting telescope featured in this video was built by the Warner and Swasey company of Cleveland, Ohio. It was originally located at Ottawa's Dominion Observatory. With the closure of this observatory in 1970s, it was moved to the Canada Science and Technology Museum. It is now housed in the Museum's Helen Sawyer Hogg Observatory, where it is used for public astronomy education.

To learn more about telescopes, and the Helen Sawyer Hogg Observatory, visit the Canada Science and Technology Museum.
http://www.scientech.technomuses.ca/ Less