UPDATE. These pages updated on 20 August 2024.
The E.C. Carr Astronomical Observatory provides Toronto Centre Members with a fully equipped observing facility that offers clear dark skies, excellent accommodations, a 16" Ritchey-Chrétien Telescope for visual astronomy, a guided 8" RC Telescope for astrophotography, red-lit warm rooms, as well as sheltered facilities where members can operate their own equipment if they so choose.
CAO is a communal living facility where people live together and share the responsibilities of the upkeep of the house and the property.
Remember that you must bring all your own food, drinks, condiments, personal toiletries, kitchen washcloths and dish towels, bedding, pillow and bath towels. Cleaning supplies are available on-site.
If a member has never previously stayed overnight at the CAO, then their first overnight visit to CAO must be during a period when the facility is staffed by either a CAO supervisor or another qualified member who is able and willing to take responsibility for the safety and security of the facility and its occupants. For a member to get a key and independent access to the CAO when it is not staffed by a CAO supervisor, the member must first have received personal instruction from a CAO supervisor on the proper procedures for opening and closing the house, operation of the furnace, water system and other safety items. Following that, the member must be checked out on the procedures independently by one other supervisors who did not deliver the initial training. Only then will a member be able to obtain a loaner key to attend the CAO on their own. Such orientation events occur regularly. Monitor the Discourse forum discussion list for upcoming dates.
SUPERVISORS MAY BE PRESENT TO ASSIST MEMBERS ON WEEKENDS EXCLUDING FULL MOON WEEKENDS. PLEASE CHECK THE CAO CALENDAR TO CONFIRM WHETHER A SUPERVISOR IS AVAILABLE DURING YOUR DESIRED VISIT TO CAO.