Main building at NRC-HIA Victoria

The NRC Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics (NRC-HIA) sits atop Observatory Hill in Saanich, BC, about 25 minutes' drive from downtown Victoria. The hilltop holds the main and satellite buildings of NRC-HIA, an interpretative centre for astronomy education called the "Centre of the Universe", and the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory 1.8- and 1.2-m telescopes, which are operated as national facilities. NRC-HIA employs ~110 people at the Victoria location. (Another NRC-HIA location outside of Penticton, BC, is the site of the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory.) Given its location, the hilltop affords a spectacular view of Victoria, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the Olympic Mountains in Washington state. Since NRC-HIA is the only resident on Observatory Hill, its environs are quite representative of its original flora and fauna. For example, the Hill has a Garry Oak and Arbutus forest and deer are commonly spotted grazing on the grounds.

The scientific atmosphere at NRC-HIA Victoria is quite vital and collegial with the staff ranging from recent hires to researchers emeritus. About 35 individuals are actively pursuing astronomical projects, in collaboration with others at NRC-HIA, in Canada, or abroad. Many here are involved directly in observatories in which Canada itself is a partner, e.g., ALMA, CFHT, Gemini, HST, JCMT, JWST and TMT, and many have projects at other international facilities. There is a strong instrumentational component to the observatory, which has recently developed – or is developing – instruments for ALMA, CFHT, Gemini, JCMT, JWST and TMT. Furthermore, NRC-HIA operates the Canadian Astronomy Data Centre, which has archives of all CFHT, CGPS, FUSE, Gemini, HST and JCMT data.

NRC-HIA frequently hosts meetings relevant to Canada's international partnerships. A regular colloquium series has visiting speakers on Tuesdays at 11 a.m., and an informal, internal science forum is held Thursdays at 10 a.m. Groups interested in adaptive optics, extragalactic topics, and planet formation also meet on a semi-regular basis. In addition, informal talks by any NRC-HIA staff member on matters of professional or personal interest are given Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m.

Although NRC-HIA is physically distinct from the University of Victoria, their close proximity (about 20 minutes driving distance) allows much interaction between their respective astronomers. For example, many UVic grad students commonly visit NRC-HIA to interact with NRC-HIA astronomers or attend talks. In addition, the UVic Department of Physics and Astronomy has its own colloquium series, held on Thursdays at 3 p.m. on the UVic campus, that NRC-HIA astronomers can easily attend. Furthermore, interaction with visiting undergraduates is common with students from UVic or other universities across Canada coming to conduct research with NRC-HIA astronomers over semester terms.

NRC-HIA astronomers can become involved with public outreach. Typical activities have included presentations to visitors at the Centre of the Universe, visits or lectures to local schools, museums, or astronomy enthusiast clubs, and interactions with local and national news media in their areas of scientific expertise. Many are volunteers in B.C.'s Scientists & Innovators in the Schools program, too.

A final indicator of how the scientific atmosphere contributes to career development for Plaskett Fellows can be gleaned from the list of those previously selected.

Photo courtesy of SmilesPhotography.com