Allan I. Carswell Observatory Archives - News@91��ɫ

Meet me at the STAIRS: 91��ɫ U brings sundial back to campus

egamulin — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 21:33:58 +0000

Cast in bronze, highly accurate, eight-foot sundial gifted by 101-year-old former chemistry prof

In their earliest iterations, sundials were sticks and stones stuck in the ground. Human observers would read shadows cast by the sun to tell time. Some of the most accurate early sundials were from Africa, Australia, China, the Arabic world, Greece and Rome. Societies created sundials that were beautiful, large scale, and acted as gathering spaces for communities. Since solar clocks are tied directly to locations on Earth, different latitudes required different designs from human ingenuity.

It is in this spirit of sculptural appeal, scientific discovery, human connection and time and place that 91��ɫ has brought a sundial back to campus, with the help of a 101-year-old donor.

R.L Kellogg and Robert Stairs meet for the first time in person outside the STAIRS, the sundial Kellogg designed and Stairs fully funded.

Robert Stairs first happened upon 91��ɫ’s sundial in 1970, standing on a platform between the Steacie Science Library and the Farquharson building. The sundial appeared to be made of bronze, but it was actually made of wood and painted to resemble metal. Liking it so much, he bought a miniature version at a hobby shop on Yonge Street. Back on campus years later, Stairs discovered the sundial was gone.

“Unfortunately, by 1980, the wood had warped and rotted, to the point that it was beyond repair,” explains Stairs, a Trent University professor emeritus who was also the school’s first chemistry professor.

Decades passed, but time did not erase the memory of the sundial. Several years ago, Stairs embarked on a project to bring the sundial back to campus, with the help of many collaborators along the way, including Allan I. Carswell Observatory Director Elaina Hyde and R.L Kellogg, Vice President of the , who designed the new sundial, dubbed the STAIRS (Schmoyer-Type Adapted Interactive Reliable Sundial).

“91��ɫ used to have a publicly accessible sundial, which meant that everyone could come out and experience astronomy firsthand, interactively, on campus. It was a great meeting place,” says Hyde, also an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Science at 91��ɫ.

Hyde says the STAIRS will serve similarly, being incorporated into observatory tours and class curriculum. “It's basically another telescope, but for the sun,” she says.

“It’s got huge educational overlap with classes in natural science, space sciences, physics and astronomy and remote sensing. We have used our precise location in Toronto, Ontario, on the traditional territory of the Huron-Wendat and Haudenosaunee, to place a particularly accurate solar clock of a unique design."

91��ɫ Prof. and Observatory Director Elaina Hyde and Trent Prof. Emeritus Stairs.

Kellogg used the iconic 1950s Richard Schmoyer sundial, which 91��ɫ acquired in the 1960s, and still lives atop the Arboretum Parking Garage in the Observatory atrium, as the basis for the update. However, Stairs requested that the 91��ɫ sundial not have a “cheat” on the gnomon, the part of sundials that cast the shadow used to read time.

“They’ve both got a funny curve, to change sun time into civil time, accounting for the seasonal correction of the sun’s variable motion,” explains Kellogg. “Shmoyer stretched this curved shape for readings during solstices.”

With the gnomon weighing in at over 200 pounds and interactive, designed to be rotated depending on the time of year, they were ok to lose this feature. “We figured in June, most of the students aren’t here, and same with Dec. 21.”

Situated south of 91��ɫ Lions Stadium and directly in line with the Observatory, the STAIRS also adjusts for longitude from the time meridian, and it was the remote sensing group at 91��ɫ that helped map true north for the instrument. The STAIRS tells time in both daylight saving, printed in Roman numerals above, and standard time, written in Arabic numerals below.

Powerful instruments: The newly-unveiled STAIRS (Schmoyer-Type Adapted Interactive Reliable Sundial) is seen with the Allan I. Carswell Observatory in the background.

“I hope the sundial will be appreciated as sculpture. It is also a hands-on astronomical instrument,” said Stairs in his closing remarks during the unveiling of the STAIRS. “My personal motto, appropriate for a sundial, is ‘Horas non numero nisi serenas’ or as Brian from Monty Python might say, ‘Always look on the bright side of life.”

A popular engraving on sundials, the motto translates to “I only count the serene (or sunny) hours. The message also has a literal meeting, as sundials can only tell time on sunny days.

While the mid-September morning chosen for the unveiling of the STAIRS was overcast, the sun did make its presence known during parts of the morning, with the STAIRS reading time within minutes of what the smartphones of guests were reporting.

‘When I see it live, I am most impressed by it,” said Stairs, smiling, the light shining in his eyes.

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Additional info for media:

91��ɫ is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change, and prepare our students for meaningful life and career paths. 91��ɫ's Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. 91��ɫ’s campus in Costa Rica offers students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs, while at the Markham Campus, innovation, technology, entrepreneurship and industry collaboration are built into every program. 91��ɫ’s new School of Medicine, the first Canadian medical school to focus on community-based primary health-care education, will welcome its first cohort in September 2028 (subject to accreditation). 91��ɫ was recently named one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for the 14th consecutive year. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future.

Contacts:

Emina Gamulin, 91��ɫ Media Relations, egamulin@yorku.ca, media@yorku.ca

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March Madness in Toronto Skies: Lunar Eclipse and Saturn's Rings appear to disappear

egamulin — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 19:10:31 +0000

Director of 91��ɫ U’s Allan I Carswell Observatory available to speak to media on astronomical events

TORONTO, Mar. 11, 2025 – This month, the Allan I Carswell Observatory at 91��ɫ is looking forward to not one but two special celestial events. Director Elaina Hyde is available to speak to media on the significance of these events, best times and places for viewing and public viewing opportunities. The observatory also invites members of the public to join them for their Wednesday night viewing sessions.

Thursday March 13: Total Lunar eclipse, visible across Canada

Eclipses on Earth come in two main sorts, lunar and solar eclipses. Lunar eclipses occur when the Moon moves into Earth's shadow: Sun-Earth-Moon. Starting on March 13 just before midnight going into the 14th, a total lunar eclipse will occur and will be visible across the entire country.

“This lunar eclipse is truly an event for everyone,” says Hyde, also an associate professor in the Faculty of Science, Physics and Astronomy department. “Since this eclipse is a large event, covering the entire moon, it does not need any special equipment to be able to see it – you can view it nearly anywhere if the skies are clear, However, you will always get a better show if you can get out to a park or dark sky site.”

The Observatory will be posting images from across Ontario, , clear skies permitting.

Sunday March 23: The disappearing and reappearing rings of Saturn

In an event called a “ring plane crossing” Saturn's famous rings, one of the most popular views in all of astronomy, will appear to disappear starting on March 23. “Saturn's rings are very thin compared to the planet itself,” explains Hyde. “The rings will be very close to exactly aligned to Earth in an 'edge on' position, since both Earth and Saturn have a tilt to their planetary axis.”

Hyde says the rings will slowly start to become visible again in April.

Hyde is available to speak on:

Lunar versus solar eclipses
The relative rarity of these cosmic events, how and where to view them
Safety tips
What astronomers will be looking out for
Why scientists believe Saturn’s rings really will disappear one day

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About 91��ɫ:

Media Contact: Emina Gamulin, 91��ɫ Media Relations, 437-217-6362, egamulin@yorku.ca

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June’s strawberry full moon will light up southern Ontario skies a day after the summer solstice. Catch it while you can as it’s on its fastest orbit of the year

egamulin — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 16:07:17 +0000

The post June’s strawberry full moon will light up southern Ontario skies a day after the summer solstice. Catch it while you can as it’s on its fastest orbit of the year appeared first on News@91��ɫ.

Safe solar and eclipse viewing tips and tricks ahead of the main event

sandramc — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0000

TORONTO, March 7, 2024 – Your mother probably told you to never look at the Sun or you would go blind, but that is particularly true when it comes to the upcoming solar eclipse, says Elaina Hyde, director of 91��ɫ’s Allan I. Carswell Observatory.

Hyde, an assistant professor in 91��ɫ’s Faculty of Science, is available for media interviews in the lead up to the eclipse to talk about what an eclipse is and how to safely view it.

Although it will only be a partial eclipse in Toronto, 99.6 per cent, it is still strong enough to cause eye damage, even blindness, if anyone looks directly at it, adds Hyde, an assistant professor in 91��ɫ’s Faculty of Science.

For those wanting the full experience, the total eclipse will be viewable in other areas of Ontario – Niagara Falls, Hamilton and St. Catharines. In Toronto (timing varies depending on location), the partial solar eclipse will at 2:04 p.m. and end at 4:31 p.m. on April 8 with the maximum at 3:19 p.m.

“People, especially young children, may be tempted to look up during the eclipse, but it’s not safe to do so without proper protection,” says Hyde. “And, sunglasses are definitely not protective and shouldn’t be used when viewing the eclipse, but there are safe ways to do it.”

How do you look at the eclipse safely? Use solar viewing glasses, a pin hole camera or special solar filters on a telescope or binoculars.

A solar eclipse, which is fairly rare, is when the moon casts its shadow on the Earth. It is different from a lunar eclipse, which occurs when the moon moves into Earth’s shadow.

About 91��ɫ

Media Contact: Yanni Dagonas, 91��ɫ Media Relations, yannidag@yorku.ca or media@yorku.ca

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Brightest, largest super pink moon of the year this week

roshanp — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 12:43:17 +0000

TORONTO, Monday, April 6, 2020 – Getting tired of staring at four walls? This week you can gaze out the window or up from your backyard at the biggest and brightest moon you’ll see all year – a super pink moon, says 91��ɫ astronomy and physics Professor Paul Delaney.

It will be the closest to Earth when it rises on April 7 and become a full moon on April 8. Although it will still be 356,907 kilometres away, it’s closer than the average of 384,400 km.

“Eight and a half hours after it reaches its closest point (perigee) to Earth, the full moon on April 8 will indeed appear to be the largest and brightest full Moon in 2020,” says Delaney, director of the Allan I. Carswell Observatory in the Faculty of Science.

Don’t expect it to look pink though. As the first full moon of spring, it’s called a pink moon because of the pink wildflowers, creeping or moss phlox, that bloom each spring.

While you’re looking up, you may also see the International Space Station if you live in the Greater Toronto Area, Burlington or Pickering on Monday and Wednesday. ’s website, says “it will be the third brightest object in the sky” and look like a “fast-moving plane”.

Plenty of reasons to look up this week.

Delaney is available for interviews.

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91��ɫ champions new ways of thinking that drive teaching and research excellence. Our students receive the education they need to create big ideas that make an impact on the world. Meaningful and sometimes unexpected careers result from cross-disciplinary programming, innovative course design and diverse experiential learning opportunities. 91��ɫ students and graduates push limits, achieve goals and find solutions to the world’s most pressing social challenges, empowered by a strong community that opens minds. 91��ɫ U is an internationally recognized research university – our 11 faculties and 25 research centres have partnerships with 200+ leading universities worldwide. Located in Toronto, 91��ɫ is the third largest university in Canada, with a strong community of 53,000 students, 7,000 faculty and administrative staff, and more than 300,000 alumni. 91��ɫ U's fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education.

Media Contact:

Sandra McLean, 91��ɫ Media Relations, 416-272-6317, sandramc@yorku.ca

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