Public Events

The Rothney Astrophysical Observatory is a working science facility and is only open to the public during our special events

The Universe is calling.....

Answer it at the Rothney Astrophysical Observatory

Astronomy is you and your connection to the cosmos. Dr Noreen Humble, professor of Classics and Associate Director of the Calgary Institute for the Humanities and Jim Ellis, professor of English and director of the Calgary Institute for the Humanities at the University of Calgary will explore mythological and cultural links to the sky. In their publication Mythologies of the Night Sky together with academics and artists they discuss diverse imaginings of outer space. Examining the big questions that we face in a world where outer space is increasingly accessible. Is outer space terra nullius, open for settlement? What if there is life beyond earth? Will we repeat the mistakes of the colonial age on other planets? Should we protect parts of outer space, like nature reserves? What about resource extraction? Do celestial bodies, like the moon, have rights? The sky tonight presentation by the RASC will help you discover what is in the sky.

Space Night will feature access to an array of telescopes operated by University of Calgary astronomers and members of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada – Calgary Centre. You will have the opportunity to look through the telescopes and astronomers will be on hand to answer questions.

In the sky – The waning third quarter moon phase will create a sliver of light for great dark sky observing. Our planet hunt finds Mars in Gemini; Jupiter will be in Taurus along with Venus on the western horizon in the constellation of Pisces.

What: Space Night Event at the RAO: Presentation 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 February 22, 2025 – 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. **Please dress for the weather**

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

https://press.ucalgary.ca/books/9781773855875/

TICKET INFORMATION

All of our tickets are sold out. The waitlist is now full. Please see list of Space Nights below for upcoming event dates. We will offer tickets one month in advance of the event date. Thank you.

Our very active star has blasted out solar winds with immense power over the past year. The result is incredible displays of Aurora Borealis filling the skies as far south as Calgary. The University of Calgary Auroral Imaging Group is world-leading research studying large scale physics phenomena. Dr. Emma Spanswick will share her research on the interactions between the sun and the earth though these dazzling displays of light, colour and motion.

We are pleased to welcome guest speaker Stanimir Metchev, Western University, who will be presenting “Searching for Earth 2.0”. He will discuss the current directions in the search for habitable exoplanets, and Canada’s next step in leading this exploration through a dedicated space telescope.

In the sky – The waning third quarter moon phase will create a sliver of light for great dark sky observing. Due south the Big Dog is illuminating the sky with its Alpha star Sirus. Planet Jupiter is visible in Taurus and Mars is in Gemini.

What: Space Night Event at the RAO: Presentation 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 March 22, 2025 – 8:00 p.m. to 11 p.m. **Please dress for the weather**

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