Astrophysics

		NRC Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics
		Engineering and Instrumentation for Astronomical Observatories
		Data Archiving and Distribution
		Astronomical Observation
		Public Education and Outreach

Astrophysics research at NRC is carried out by the NRC Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics (NRC-HIA). NRC-HIA conducts leading-edge research in astronomy and astrophysics, and provides the Canadian astronomy community with access to major astronomical facilities in Canada and internationally. NRC is also a world leader in the development of advanced instrumentation and works to transfer the knowledge and technologies it develops in astronomy and astrophysics to other disciplines.

NRC-HIA operates the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory in Penticton and the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory in Victoria where the Canadian Astronomy Data Centre is located. NRC-HIA represents Canada in the seven-nation Gemini Observatory, with an 8-m optical telescope in Hawaii and another in Chile, as well as the 3.6-m Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (optical) and the 15-m James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (sub-millimetre), both in Hawaii.

DID YOU KNOW?

Perfect Image of a "Perfect Galaxy"

Scientists captured a remarkable first light image of galaxy NGC 628 – the "Perfect Spiral Galaxy" – in Pisces, with a new state-of-the-art instrument at the Gemini North Telescope on Hawaii's Mauna Kea. The instrument that took the image, GMOS or Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph, is the result of seven years of design and construction by an international project team led by NRC. An extremely precise guiding system, also developed at NRC, sharpens the images and ensures the instrument captures most of the light from distant targets.

Commercial Opportunities

Research into astrophysics has created diverse commercial opportunities including innovative structural engineering (large telescopes, enclosures, antennae), data archiving management and mining, optical coatings and precision instrumentation (astronomy, ophthalmology).