UPEI names iconic rooftop observatory after professor Earl L. Wonnacott

The University of Prince Edward Island has dedicated the rooftop observatory atop Memorial Hall to the man who was instrumental to its installation more than 40 years ago. The Earl L. Wonnacott Observatory will continue to inspire and teach astronomy to many generations of curious sky-watchers, just as its late namesake did for five decades as teacher and mentor.

Earl L. Wonnacott (June 10, 1921 to October 18, 2019) taught physics and astronomy for more than 50 years, beginning in the 1940s at Prince of Wales College and continuing when the University of Prince Edward Island was established in 1969. He began his undergraduate studies at PWC in 1942 with a break to serve his country in the Second World War. When he returned from his war service, he began teaching at PWC in 1945 but left again a year later to earn his Bachelor of Science at Acadia University. After graduating from Acadia in 1947, he again taught at PWC until 1952 when he took a year’s leave to study at Dalhousie University. He returned to PWC and continued to teach there until the creation of UPEI. He taught physics and astronomy at the new university, serving as chair of the physics department in the 1980s.

“Professor Wonnacott was a fine physicist, an inspiring teacher, and a caring mentor,” said Dr. Bill Whelan, the current chair of the Department of Physics at UPEI. “He introduced thousands of students to the wonders of physics and astronomy over a period of 50 years. We are so pleased to be able to honour his memory and his many contributions to UPEI and PEI with this dedication.”

Wonnacott was instrumental in the construction of the observatory on Memorial Hall in 1980. Prior to its installation, Wonnacott led astronomical observations from a sheltered spot on the roof of the Duffy Science Building. Writing in the Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada in 1982, Wonnacott recalled:

“For each observing session, the telescope had to be carried from the shed to a clear space on the roof, and then, of course, lugged back afterward. The part of the roof that we used was nicely sheltered on three sides, but was unfortunately open on the side of the prevailing wind. We lost both dust-caps for the telescope on the first night. Accumulation of snow was also a problem.”

Wonnacott dreamed of a better set-up: one that would serve him and his students better for year-round observation.

“In 1978, things began to look up when I applied for a grant from the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission…to build a small observatory. The application was approved in October of that year, and planning began immediately.”

The metal dome of the observatory was constructed on the ground in late 1979 and was hoisted into place and installed on January 8, 1980.

“Over the past four decades, thousands of Islanders have visited the observatory,” said Megan Glover, laboratory technician for the physics department. “Professor Wonnacott wrote about how he would become ‘easily excited’ about what he was looking at through the telescope, and that he hoped his enthusiasm would ‘rub off’ on observatory visitors. When I host events at the observatory, I try to explain what visitors see through the telescope in a way that conveys the sense of wonder I experience when I think about the scale of our universe and the laws of physics that describe how it works. Judging by the excited reactions I've seen from people as they look through the telescope, I think the enthusiasm does indeed rub off. The observatory, with its permanently installed telescope, allows our department to hold observing events with minimal set-up time, which means more time can be spent with visitors at the telescope eyepiece. Our biggest challenge is the Island's changeable weather.”

The observatory has been used by generations of curious sky enthusiasts of all ages since it was installed. Students and community members alike have watched the heavens, captured inspiring images, and probed the depths of the universe. Professor Wonnacott will continue to teach and mentor for still more decades to come through his legacy.

A formal dedication ceremony will be held later this year.