Here is a map to guide you to the RAO:
please point your browser to the NEW RAO web page found at:
http://www.ism.ucalgary.ca/ top/rao
The Rothney Astrophysical Observatory (RAO) has invited the general public to visit its facilities on Open House evenings during the summer months free of charge. No sign-up has been needed on these occasions. Presentations of the work carried out at the observatory, and reviews of current topics in astronomy as well as tours of the facilities were provided. Refreshments were available, including both hot and cold beverages.
The Open House evenings typically last from 8:30 - 11:30 p.m.
Regardless of the time of year at which the Open House is held, visitors are advised to dress warmly, and to bring flashlights. The RAO is on an exposed hill and the wind can be biting. If it does turn out to be calm and warm, mosquito repellent is not a bad idea. But, don't go away discouraged, there are things worth seeing here. Read on, ...
Thanks to a cohort of stalwart, enthusiastic volunteers, the OH program has been successfully held since 1996.
NEWS FLASH: The new Visitors' Centre is under construction but as of Fall, 2004, it was still incomplete. Keep tuned for further developments
(Regrettably, all 2004 Open Houses had to be canceled due to lack of completion of the site.)
Open House dates typically fall on Saturdays with crescent or first quarter Moons.
the 2003 talks were as follows:
May 10 - Dr. Phil Langill (U of C): Cosmology - New Observations, New Ideas
- Dr. Gene Milone (U of C): Exploring Present and Future Skies: the RAO in the 21st Century
- Mr. Roland Dechesne (RASC): The Sky Tonight*
June 7 - Dr. Russ Taylor (U of C): First Light: Searching for the Dawn of the Universe
- Dr. Jeroen Stil (U of C): Painting a new picture of the Galaxy - Dr. Phil Langill (U of C): Cosmology - New Observations, New Ideas
July & August OHs were canceled due to construction hazards at the site.
Sept 6 - Dr. Rene Plume (U of C): The Invisible Universe
- Dr. Steve Gibson (U of C): Mars <{P>
A full slate of indoor talks are arranged for each OH night, and tours of
the facilities are offered so that even with inclement weather, something
will be happening.
We may have talks on such topics as the
wonders of variable stars, stellar evolution, star clusters, planetary
nebulae, and maybe even extra-solar planets, and how someday the Earth will
be struck by an asteroid/comet and destroy most life on the planet and what the
average student can do about it (just kidding about the last part).
We may also include presentations from the RASC about how we can fight
light pollution and try to preserve our dark sky heritage so that we can
continue to see the stars from the RAO and other observing sites around the city.
There are also displays on current topics in astronomy and refreshment for the hot, the
cold, and the weary.
* Mr. Sidney G. Lee, who passed away on April 28, 2001, created 'The Sky Tonight' series and presented these talks to audiences at the RAO for several years. In recent years these have been given by Tom Cameron and Roland Duchesne.
For further information, call: (403)-220-7977 or contact (403)-220-5385 for
information from a real person.
If you have technical questions about the RAO, contact the Acting Director,
Rene Plume, rplume at ism.ucalgary.ca or (403)-220-6909.
At the trun-off from Rte 22, we have a Texas gate in addition to a brand new swinging gate. The swinging gate is usually open but if it is closed, there may be some cattle ranging on the property (the University leases the land to a local farmer to generate funds for maintenance costs), so please close the gate behind you, if you find it closed on arrival. Thank you and 'Clear skies!'.
Number of visitors to this site to date:
Revamped by Sid Lee, 99/03/12. Please send comments/suggestions about this page to:
milone@acs.ucalgary.ca {Milone}
times since 24
August 2001.