Public Events

What: Space Night Event at the RAO: Presentations and viewing through RAO telescopes

Who: University of Calgary, Physics and Astronomy

Where: Rothney Astrophysical Observatory, east side of Highway 22, 2.4 km south of Hwy 22 and Hwy 22x interchange

When: Saturday April 18, 2026 – 8:30 p.m. to 11:30p.m. **Please dress for the weather**

Cost: $10 per person plus GST & fees – tickets available on Showpass. Ticket required for ages 8 and up, please note that the event is geared towards older children and up. This is a ticketed event. Only those with a pre-purchased ticket will be admitted. No tickets are available at the door. All proceeds go towards the RAO’s educational programming.

Tickets available on Showpass at 12:00 noon on March 18.

Students at the University of Calgary are on the cutting edge of physics and astronomy research. Speakers include Rebecca Booth, PhD Candidate in Astrophysics, asking "What can the polarisation of radio waves tell us about the Milky Way?"; Mathew Yastremski, PhD student in Space Physics with "The TRBEC (This is about radiation belts, not game show hosts!)" and Hannan Bashir, superstar intern at the RAO, speaking about his current work.

The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada – Calgary Centre will present “The Sky Tonight”, an overview of current and upcoming celestial events.

As well as presentations, Space Night features access to an array of telescopes operated by University of Calgary astronomers and members of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada – Calgary Centre. Visitors will have the opportunity to observe the night sky and ask questions.

In the sky – a tiny sliver of the waxing crescent moon will leave the sky dark and ideal for observing. Venus will be bright on the western horizon just after dusk, and Jupiter and Sirius will be visible further south. We may also catch glimpses of the Lyrids meteor shower in the lead up to its peak on April 21-22. 

What: Space Night Event at the RAO: Presentations and viewing through RAO telescopes

Who: University of Calgary, Physics and Astronomy

Where: Rothney Astrophysical Observatory, east side of Highway 22, 2.4 km south of Hwy 22 and Hwy 22x interchange

When: Saturday May 9, 2026 – 9:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight. **Please dress for the weather**

Cost: $10 per person plus GST & fees – tickets available on Showpass. Ticket required for ages 8 and up, please note that the event is geared towards older children and up. This is a ticketed event. Only those with a pre-purchased ticket will be admitted. No tickets are available at the door. All proceeds go towards the RAO’s educational programming.

Tickets available on Showpass at 12:00 noon on April 9.

“Pocket-Sized Galaxies, Supermassive Black Holes: A Match Made in the Cosmos”

In this talk, Dr. Matt Taylor and PhD student Solveig Thompson of the University of Calgary will introduce the recent discovery of two supermassive black holes in unexpectedly small host galaxies. Based on observations made with the James Webb Space Telescope, these two black holes seem to be far too large for their tiny homes, which begs the question: how did they get there? By following the clues these systems provide, we will uncover what they can teach us about the surprising ways galaxies and their central black holes can grow - and shrink? - together. 

Steve Donaldson of The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada – Calgary Centre will present “The Sky Tonight”, and a preview of the summer in the Milky Way. 

As well as presentations, Space Night features access to an array of telescopes operated by University of Calgary astronomers and members of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada – Calgary Centre. Visitors will have the opportunity to observe the night sky and ask questions.