Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
June 10, 2008

MyTelescope.com Brings Heaven to St. John�s

A St. John�s company that has developed a web-based observatory system that allows people to remotely control and look through telescopes around the world, has received funding from the Provincial Government. MyTelepscope.com Inc. will receive $315,000 from the Provincial Government to commercialize its innovative technology.

"MyTelescope.com is an example of the innovative enterprises that are emerging in the province," said the Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. "The company is operating in a sector that holds tremendous growth potential in markets all over the world � to date, it has secured clients in Portugal, Germany, Brazil, India, and Iran. Target audiences include parents seeking educational opportunities for their children, along with the astronomy community."

MyTelescope.com has developed a system of precision telescope mounts and supporting software that enables telescopes to be located in observatories anywhere in the world and accessed from a remote location. The service is directed at the scientific and educational communities, along with members of the public with an interest in astronomy.

The company�s software allows for very precise movement of machinery and has been incorporated into a numerically-controlled machine that makes the telescope mounts for MyTelescope.com. The final system has been field-tested in New Brunswick, which has some of Atlantic Canada�s clearest sky conditions.

"We plan to carry out as much of the manufacturing as possible in Newfoundland and Labrador," says company founder and CEO Glynne Burke who has 20 years experience in software development including ice data management and oil spill modeling. "We plan to pre-fabricate observatories here using local expertise and then establish them around the world. After our success in New Brunswick, we plan to establish an observatory in Arizona which also has very clear skies. After that, we will consider Greece and possibly Australia as observatory sites."

Delivered by the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, the Commercialization Program bridges an identified funding and investment gap between product research and product marketing. Through this program, the Provincial Government supports private sector enterprises in activities leading to the development of innovative, market-ready products and services. Proposed initiatives must demonstrate innovation enhancement consistent with the province�s innovation strategy, Innovation Newfoundland and Labrador: A Blueprint for Prosperity. The program provides assistance of up to 75 per cent of total costs, to a maximum of $500,000 per project.

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Media contact:
Scott Barfoot

Director of Communications
Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development

709-729-4570, 690-6290
ScottBarfoot@gov.nl.ca 

2008 06 10                                                   10:10 a.m.

 


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