Deep Sky Eye Observatory and Star Tours
Tim Doucette’s Deep Sky Eye is an amazing amateur observatory, set up in the beautiful dark-sky community of Quinan near Yarmouth.
The centrepiece of the observatory is a huge 14-inch reflecting telescope which shows the observer beautiful views of star clusters, our solar system, and deep-sky objects like galaxies.
But more amazing than the observatory is the astronomer: Tim Doucette was born blind and, despite childhood surgeries to enhance his eyesight, he still possesses only 10 percent sight.
Through his astronomy, Tim has discovered that the surgery gave him an astronomy super-power as well!
Normal sight is restricted to the rainbow-colour part of the spectrum (the famous ROYGBIV that we all learned about in elementary school). But the universe pumps out light across a much wider range – from X-rays to Radio Waves. Just past the violet end of the ROYGBIV spectrum is the ultraviolet zone, in which hot, high-energy objects glow brightly. And, because of his childhood surgeries which altered the structure of his eye, Tim can see in the near-ultraviolet part of the spectrum.
What to you and I would look like a faint blob through the eyepiece of his telescope comes alive as a bright-blue galaxy in Tim’s eyes. This has led to a very active part-time career as a member of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, tireless campaigner for dark-sky protected zones, and backyard teacher of astronomy for many years in Moncton and now in Quinan.
Planning our Trip
I first learned about the Deep Sky Eye Observatory through an article in the newspaper. Knowing how much my husband and kids love astronomy, I ripped it out to show David. He immediately said he wanted to go!
So, when David’s birthday rolled around this April, I knew what to get him. I contacted Tim asking if I could put together a package for my husband for his birthday, and he said, “come down this weekend!”
Because he’s there almost every clear night, he was happy to give us a tour!
You have to be flexible.
We planned to go on Saturday night, but it was raining, so it was moved to Sunday night. Because of the long drive to Yarmouth, we decided to book the Comfort Inn in Yarmouth. It was a late night (there till almost midnight) so we let the kids sleep in and dropped them off late to school the next morning.
This was an educational opportunity of a lifetime, so we couldn’t miss it!
Our Experience
Tim and his wife Amanda met us at the observatory.
This observatory was built over the course of the previous year.
Deep Sky Eye Observatory has both a outdoor viewing platform and an indoor 9 foot dome that houses a Celestron 14″ Edge HD telescope on a CGE Pro mount.
What makes this telescope so special is not its size, though, but its location. Quinan is located in one of the only truly dark skies left in Eastern North America, with hardly any stray light coming from urban or other artificial sources, and this allows the telescope to reach its maximum potential.
Faint objects that would be impossible to see in light-polluted areas come alive in the darkness above Quinan, providing a truly unforgettable experience.
On our evening we saw cloud bands on the planet Jupiter, together with several of its moons; we saw the beautiful jewel-like open star cluster called “the Beehive”; we saw deep-sky objects including the famous Sombrero Galaxy (so named because it looks like the Mexican hat!), and we were even able to see the lanes of interstellar dust in its spiral arms; and we saw much, much more besides!
The other great thing is that we could bring our dog! They have a puppy post provided where we could tie her up!
What a great service! (and the Yarmouth Comfort Inn also allowed dogs, so we were really set for the weekend!)
The first part of the evening was inside the observatory. On the bottom floor there is a seating area with a projector.
Tim gave us some background on his personal story, on what we would be doing that night, and also about the trouble with light pollution. This was so interesting, and Daniel (9) was busy taking notes about everything he learned!
From there, we went outside and with a laser pointer, Tim pointed out various constellations.
Because the moon was coming up shortly and would have cast too much light into the sky, we went back into the observatory, and headed upstairs where we could start to look at things through the telescope.
The Moon
The technology was amazing. Using his Ipad, Tim could pick what we were going to look at, and the telescope would rotate there and lock in position! Object located!
There were 8 of us there that night so we each had a turn looking through the telescope at globular clusters and then Jupiter! We could see the blue gas lines across the planet so clearly.
We ended by looking at the craters in the moon like we had never seen before.
Tim hooked David’s phone up to the lens and took some pictures for us.
These photos were taken using David’s budget phone, with its even-more budget camera. The views we saw were much more impressive than this!
The whole night the kids were in awe. “This is so much fun!” “I can’t believe what we can see!” They will not soon forget this experience!
Getting There
The Observatory is located at 338 Frotten Rd, Quinan, (B0W 3M0)
In other words, in the middle of nowhere! But, it has to be so that the skies are dark enough to see the sky without light pollution getting in the way.
The road leading to Quinan is off the 103 highway between Yarmouth and Shelburne, but is much closer to Yarmouth.
Take exit 33 on the 103.
Turn towards Quinan (308 North).
You will drive through several villages and really think you are lost. But, you are not. Drive at least 20 minutes and Frotten Road will be on your right.
At the end of the driveway, watch for the Deep Sky Eye sign. You will see the observatory from the road.
Booking your Tour
If you are interested in astronomy, or would like to learn more, we highly recommend booking an evening tour with Deep Sky Eye Observatory!
There are several packages available, but much will depend on the weather and what is in the sky that night.
Cost and Rates can be found here.
Payment
Payment is due upon arrival. They accept cash and all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express)
How It Works
Decide when you would like to visit. The calendar on the website lists the possible dates when the experience will be offered.
Important:
• Please remember to dress in layers as the temperature drops quickly. Gloves and a tuque are a must.
• Tours are Weather Dependent and as such, MAY BE Cancelled on short notice.
• Alcohol or smoking is not permitted on the grounds.
On-Site Accommodations
Since our visit, Deep Sky Eye has expanded and now offers on-site accommodations!
They now have a cabin on site, or you can sleep under the beauty of the night sky in the comfort of a heated Sky Bubble.
Book here
Deep Sky Eye is definitely worth the drive to Yarmouth area!
If you are making a trip of it, here are some other things to check out while you are in the area.
Go and enjoy this Deep Sky Experience with a local entrepreneur who has turned his passion into a small business. Like my family, you will literally be over the moon!
Learn More
