Newbrook Observatory

Newbrook Observatory in Newbrook, Alberta, was a historic astronomical observatory built by the Stellar Physics Division of the Dominion Observatory and operated from 1952 to 1957. Its most notable instrument was a Super-Schmidt Meteor Camera, one of only six made by the Perkin-Elmer Company for meteor observation. The observatory was also tied to an early Space Age milestone when resident scientist Art Griffin became the first person in North America to photograph Sputnik 1 less than a week after its launch. After the government consolidated astronomical research, the Newbrook and nearby Meanook facilities closed in 1970, and Newbrook is now recognized as a designated historic building.

Alberta · Canada