...where the Universe is our laboratory.
The Waterloo Centre for Astrophysics (WCA) looks to the cosmos to solve the greatest mysteries of the universe. Here, world-class researchers and students come together in an atmosphere of curiosity, creativity and collaboration; exploring our cosmic origin to truly understand the physical processes at work in the Universe. From black holes to cosmology, we aim to understand what lies beyond the Earth. The possibilities for new discovery are limitless.
News
A special birthday gift
On April 30, residents of Luther Village on the Park stepped into the cosmos without leaving home. The retirement home hosted the Waterloo Centre for Astrophysics (WCA) to an afternoon that paired cutting-edge astrophysics with an immersive journey through space inside Waterloo’s portable planetarium, the Astro-Bubble.
Professor Michel Fich awarded Dunlap Award for Innovation in Astronomical Research Tools
Professor Emeritus Michel (Mike) Fich of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, and Associate Member of the Waterloo Centre for Astrophysics has been awarded the 2026 Dunlap Award for Innovation in Astronomical Research Tools by the Canadian Astronomical Society (CASCA).
DESI Completes Planned 3D Map of the Universe and Continues Exploring
For the last five years, the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) has been systematically scanning the night sky. Today marks the completion of its first map, which is the largest high-resolution 3D map of the universe ever made.
Events
WCA-KPL Public Talk: A History of the Telescope (Ana Ennis)
Astronomers today have access to telescopes that orbit Earth, or that have extremely large mirrors, allowing us to study the furthest corners of the Universe. In this month's KPL astronomy talk, Dr. Ana Ennis will discuss the foundational optics that led to the invention of the telescope, and in particular, the stories of the people that contributed to it. From ancient civilizations to the current era, we will see how the designs and functionalities of telescopes have evolved, and how exactly we came to have the amazing instruments that are available today.