The Wilkinson Memorial Observatory is an observatory located four kilometers south of Eastend, Saskatchewan. [1] Built in 1953, it is managed by the Eastend Astronomy Club. [1]
In the early 1940s, amateur astronomer Jack Wilkinson began building telescopes. [2] In 1949, Wilkinson constructed an 8-inch reflector telescope [1] with hand-crafted lenses [3] and carefully ground mirrors. Wilkinson, enthusiastic about his work, invited other locals to use his telescope to view the moon, planets, and distant galaxies. [2] He constructed mounts from repurposed industrial equipment, including the cap of a steam boiler. [1] In 1950, he built an observatory near the Livery barn which he owned. [2] Wilkinson’s original 8-inch reflector telescope is preserved at the Eastend Historical Museum.[ citation needed ]
After Wilkinson's death in 1953, the observatory dome, once housed atop the local school building, was relocated to its current site on land donated by the Gregory family. [2] [3] The Eastend Astronomical Society was formed to honor Wilkinson's legacy and continues to oversee the observatory. [2]
Today, the observatory features a Celestron Ultima 11” telescope with a 2800mm focal length, eyepieces ranging from 40mm to 10.5mm, various filters, and a GoTo Tracking System. [1] Visitors can observe the rings of Saturn, track the International Space Station, and view distant nebulae. [2]
The local astronomy club organizes guided night sky tours, hands-on telescope demonstrations, and educational workshops on celestial phenomena. Visitors can learn to navigate the night sky, observe planets and stars, and gain insights into astronomical events. [1] [2]