Take a peek at the universe on world Astronomy Day

Star-gazers can set their sights on the heavens at International Astronomy Day events at the Royal B.C. Museum and the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory on Saturday.

The day begins with activities at the Royal B.C. Museum, followed by an opportunity to stare deep into the known universe with public telescope viewing at the National Research Council of Canada’s Dominion Astrophysical Observatory and the Centre of the Universe when the sun goes down.

Starting at 10 a.m. at the museum, you can view the sun with solar telescopes. Visitors can also take in a Walk Among the Planets display, outside on the main concourse.

Displays on telescopes, mirror grinding and astrophotography can be found in the museum’s Clifford Carl Hall, while society volunteers and Science Venture students from the University of Victoria engage children with hands-on activities.

There will be three lecture presentations on astronomy in the museum’s Newcombe Conference Hall, at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.

When the sun sets, activities move to the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, with tours and a chance to see the observatory’s Centre of the Universe exhibits. The historic Plaskett Telescope will be open for tours, with society members setting up their personal telescopes for public viewing, weather-permitting.

All presentations, displays and workshops are free at the Royal B.C. Museum, but regular admission charges apply for the permanent galleries. Activities run 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the museum, 675 Belleville St. For information, go to royalbcmuseum.bc.ca.

Entry to the observatory grounds is by ticket only, but tickets are free. To obtain your entry ticket in advance, go to observatoryhill.org/ content/ events.

Visitors with tickets will be welcomed starting at 7:30 p.m. The event runs from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., rain or shine at Observatory Hill, 5071 West Saanich Rd.

For more information, go to victoria.rasc.ca.