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The 15-inch refracting telescope of the Dominion Observatory

A black and white image of a 15-inch refracting telescope. The telescope is attached to a mounting pier and is inside a domed building. There is an opening in the dome that allows the telescope to view the night sky.

Canadian Science & Technology Museum

The 15-inch refracting telescope of the Dominion Observatory is the largest refracting telescope ever installed in Canada. A refracting telescope uses a lens rather than a mirror to focus the light from stars. It was built by master optician John Brashear of Pittsburgh. Brashear would later figure and polish the mirror for the 1.8-m telescope in Victoria.

John Stanley Plaskett used this telescope for his work in astrophysics while he worked at the Dominion Observatory. He made several improvements to the telescope that greatly increased its capability.