London Centre Dark Sky Observing

Take the 401 westbound to Union Rd. 20 and go south through Shedden to Fingal. Alternatively you can take highway 4 to Talbotville, and then follow highway 3 to Shedden and turn left to Fingal.

Turn right at Fingal onto Elgin County Rd. 16, also called Talbot Line, and go 3.3 Km west of Fingal to the entrance road of the Fingal Wildlife Management Area, which is on the left (south) side. The Fingal Wildlife Management Area entrance is well marked, also with reference to the memorial plaque for the 4th Bombing and Gunnery School.

Here is a Google Maps map of Fingal and surrounding area. The Fingal Wildlife Management area is half way between Union Road and Iona Road on the south side, immediately under the "16" sign. The triangular road loop is where the old runways used to be.

The entrance road is gated and will be unlocked by one of the senior RASC members. If you arrive when the gate is still locked, please do not block the entrance with your car. There is ample room in the parking lot to the left of the entrance. When the gate is unlocked the entrance may also be marked with a small white sign: "RASC Observing". To gain access, remove the pin from the clasp, slowly swing open the gate and hang it on the hook provided, and drive through. Return the gate to the closed position to discourage passers-by and replace the pin.

We have placed small retro-reflective RASC signs that direct your way to the observing pad. The first sign is located just to the right of the washrooms, and directs you to turn left (east). The second sign is just after the washrooms, and directs you to turn right (south). Well down the trail a third sign directs you to turn left (east) and follow the trail to the pad.

As can be seen on this FWMA map, there are numerous other paths and roads in the FWMA and you are cautioned not to travel them, as you will be violating our agreement with the E.S.C. and the Ministry, disturbing wildlife, getting very lost, and very possibly becoming locked in when the gate is closed after members go home.

We are pleased to announce excellent progress on building an insulated and heated Warm Up Room on Pad # 37, located just to the east of the hanger 6 pad. This is the result of an agreement with the Elgin Stewardship Council and the MNR. This room will be available to take the chill off observers and their guests during cool or even bitterly cold clear evenings.

It is also our intention to build a roll off roof observatory which will be available for public enjoyment and education, as well as amateur observing projects, in the near future.

Go back to the Fingal dark-sky site page
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