About the RAO Telescopes
0.4 metre Clarke-Milone telescope.
0.5 metre Kaylie Green Memorial Telescope (Baker-Nunn type).
1.8 metre Sandy Cross telescope.
3.3 metre radio telescope.
Celestron 14-inch telescope.
Facilities
- Two outdoor observation terraces where telescopes are used for undergraduate astronomy teaching and public outreach events. A 14-inch Celestron telescope is permanently housed in "The Cube" on the front terrace, which rolls on wheels giving the telescope access to the sky. The telescope is mounted on a permanent hydraulic pier donated to the RAO by RASC Calgary Centre members. Associated instrumentation includes digital cameras, white-light and H-alpha solar filters.
- A 2,000 square foot multipurpose Interpretative Centre. It is a state-of-the-art workspace that serves as a lecture theatre and classroom. It is air conditioned and can comfortably accommodate 100 people. It is equipped with educational displays, four general purpose computers, a 12-foot screen and data projector for presentations, video conferencing equipment and full internet capabilities.
- A high speed optical fibre internet backbone and UCalgary wifi throughout the facility.
Support the RAO
The Rothney Astrophysical Observatory is a vital part of the local community, acting as both a University of Calgary research facility and a public education institution. The observatory’s primary purpose is to provide support to science education in Alberta by providing a quality learning environment built on integrated teaching, research and creative activities. We remain committed to the needs of the community.
Our exhibits and programs create a stimulating experiential learning experience with an exhibit program that responds to the interests of our target audience. The observatory houses a collection of telescopes, technology and archival resources which are conserved, researched and interpreted for the public and future generations of Albertans.
We are a not-for-profit organization and your financial support ensures we continue to offer science programming to school and youth groups. The University of Calgary charitable number is 108102864RR001.