Press release

August 30, 1999 Infrastructure improvements to Mount Mégantic Astronomical Observatory

Mount Megantic Observatory administration today announced the start of work to improve the facilities at the Astronomical Observatory. The project is funded by grants totalling $4,700,000. The financial partners in the project are the Canadian Foundation for Innovation ($1,880,000 = 40%), the Ministry of Education of Québec (40%), the Eastern Townships Regional Development Council ($300,000), Economic Development Canada ($300,000), the Ministry for Regions of Québec ($100,000), Université Laval, Université de Montréal and researchers ($240,000). These grants make it possible to complete extensive repairs to the dome and install a ventilation system. The telescope will receive a major overhaul and will be fully computer-controlled. New high-tech precision instruments will also be built. The Astronomical Observatory will be connected to the Astrolab at the base of the mountain by a fibre optic link as a step to stimulate public interest. Images will be shown in real time to provide direct public viewing of scientific research. The work will be completed within 3 years, and will mean significant economic benefits for the Eastern Townships. The improvements to the Observatory infrastructures are in full compliance with the guidelines in the report of the Long Range Planning Panel on the future of Astronomy in Canada for the next 10 to 15 years, which will be available in a few weeks. This report shows that the benefits from astronomy research for the overall economy are quite significant. The refurbishing of the Observatory will enable it to continue to play a key role. The Mount Mégantic Observatory is owned by Université de Montréal and is managed jointly by Université de Montréal and Université Laval. -30- Source Pierre Bastien, Director Mount Mégantic Observatory Tel.: (514) 343-5816 Email: bastien@astro.umontreal.ca Web site: http://www.astro.umontreal.ca

Information Marie-Claude Chalvignac Université de Montréal Direction des communications Tel.: (514) 343-7704 Pager: (514) 423-0651