The Atacama Desert, Home to the World's Largest Telescope Facility

In this highly illustrated presentation, astronomy author Terence Dickinson will take us on a tour of the world's largest astronomical observatory, located in the extreme environment of driest desert on Earth. The Atacama is also home to six other major national and international observatories and has now emerged as the finest location for astronomical observation and research on this planet. Recently, a new astronomical lodge opened for amateur astronomers who want to experience the ultimate in personal celestial viewing.

A member of the Order of Canada, Terence Dickinson is Canada's most prolific astronomy author. In particular, his book NightWatch has been the top-selling stargazing guidebook in the world over the past 25 years. He has been a staff astronomer at the McLaughlin Planetarium in Toronto, the Rochester Planetarium, the Ontario Science Centre, and a consultant for many similar facilities in the U.S., Canada and England. His articles have appeared in many magazines, including Canadian Geographic, Maclean's, Reader's Digest, Equinox, Science Digest, Nature Canada, and many others. For the past 15 years he has been the editor of SkyNews, the Canadian astronomy magazine.. He is the recipient of three honorary degrees.