Astronomy has changed dramatically since the birth of the space age. In particular, new areas of the spectrum have opened up to our investigations, largely because astronomers are now able to loft instruments above the interfering effects of the Earth's atmosphere. Computers and the new engineering techniques that developed because of them have transformed how astronomers do their work through the ability to do elaborate mathematical calculations, and to build gigantic, complex telescopes and instruments. Read more about our facilities . The NRC's Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics involves itself and Canadian industry with new engineering projects to keep our nation's astronomers and engineers on the forefront of research and technology, benefiting Canadian industry in the process.
Astronomers now see engineering as a crucial component of making advances in knowledge.
Read more about engineering and HIA . These new technologies and methods have led us to an explosion of information and insights. It's sometimes said that keeping up with all the developments is as difficult as drinking from a firehose. Just as astronomers have to specialize in certain areas, whole Institutes like HIA do so as well to help astronomers benefit from working as a team. HIA resident astronomers therefore tend to have similar interests.