Newbrook Observatory

Newbrook Observatory is a research facility near Newbrook in Alberta, Canada, with a main building featuring a retractable roof and an attached residence with garage. The site spans about 0,82 hectares and was equipped for recording meteor spectrographs.

The observatory was established in 1951 by the Stellar Physics Division of the Dominion Observatory and operated as a space research station until 1970. These years coincided with the early space race and made the site a key center for meteor observation.

This location served as a hub for space research during the early space age. Visitors can still see the infrastructure that was used for this groundbreaking scientific work.

The facility is located roughly 110 kilometers northeast of Edmonton and stands as a well-maintained example of mid-20th century infrastructure. Visitors should note that the site is a historic landmark and should be entered with appropriate care.

A scientist named Art Griffin made the first North American photograph of the Sputnik 1 satellite here in October 1957. This occurred shortly after the Soviet launch and marked an important moment in space history.

Location: Alberta

Location: Thorhild County

Inception: 1951

GPS coordinates: 54.32420,-112.95500

Latest update: December 14, 2025 16:46