Author Information

Last Update: 15 April 2007

Hi, My name is Brian Colville and I would like to welcome you to the Maple Ridge Observatory Web Pages. 

These pages are designed to highlight my work at my observatory and to provide some links to other astronomical sites on the Web. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or comments on the material which I post here...I can be reached by E-mail through the link on the Maple Ridge Index page. 

Who is Brian Colville?

My interest in astronomy can be traced back into my pre-school days. I was always fascinated with the Moon, and can vividly remember watching the Apollo missions on TV. I suspect that this is what helped to root me in this hobby. On the lighter side, I also tell people that I watched Star Trek too much when I was growing up.  My educational background is in agriculture and agricultural science. I was raised on a Dairy Farm near Sunderland, Ontario. I completed my BSc(Agr.) in Crop Science at the University of Guelph and am currently employed as an Agronomist/Certified Crop Advisor with the Sunderland Co-op  in Oakwood, Ontario. I have farmed or worked in the agriculture industry all my life.

My family includes my wife Sandy, and our son Scott and daughter Madeline. Our home is located on a rural lot near the village of Cambray, Ontario (approximately 90km north-east of Toronto, just west of Lindsay). I am very fortunate to have my observatory in the backyard where I can enjoy my hobby with my family close by, tend to the garden and yard work while nestled among the neighboring farms.

 I have been an active amateur astronomer for over 31  years, and have been an member of the South Simcoe Amateur Astronomers for 17 years.  Each year I make a number of presentations to local groups and provide an opportunity for others to share my fascination with the skies above. During the past several years I have presented to many boys and girls clubs, public and high school students, and the Outdoor Education Center of the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority.  I make regular presentations at the Huronia Star Party, an event hosted by our club, including talks on planetary/digital imaging and helping with our 'Sky Tour' for those learning their way in the hobby.

I enjoy many different aspects of this hobby, but my primary interest lies in high resolution solar/lunar/planetary CCD imaging. I dabble a little in deep sky CCD imaging, using a ST-7 CCD and a Canon EOS 350D DSLR.

This website is used to highlight my recent observations and to share the images with others who enjoy the night sky.

Enjoy your visit and come back soon...I will try to keep these pages updated as frequently as time permits.