Public Events
The Rothney Astrophysical Observatory is a working science facility. We are only open to the public during programs or events.
The Universe is calling... answer it here.
Milky Way Nights 2025
Friday July 25th and July 26th have been POSTPONED until Saturday September 13th. Ticket holders have been contacted through Showpass. Tickets are SOLD OUT. No new tickets will be issued.
See astronomers in their natural habitat, under dark moonless skies. Milky Way Nights are a unique opportunity for late night public observing of deep sky objects like planetary nebula and globular clusters. Check our AllSky and weather cameras for up to the minute sky conditions.
Milky Way Nights is a public observing event. You will have the opportunity to look through a variety of telescopes and astronomers will be on hand to answer questions. Thank you to our volunteers from the University of Calgary and members of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada – Calgary Centre.
What: Public Observing 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
Cost: Tickets are $10 per person. Children seven years and younger do not need a ticket.
Tickets are SOLD OUT.
Ticket information:
This is a ticketed event. Only ticket holders will be permitted into the site. Tickets are non-transferrable. They are only good on the date printed on the ticket.
Please do not come to the observatory without a ticket. We do not have tickets available at the door. SOLD OUT means we are at maximum capacity.
All proceeds go to the RAO’s educational programming.
2025 Space Night Schedule
Space Nights are scheduled for October 18 and November 15, 2025. Tickets will go on sale one month in advance of each event. Watch this page for updates on speakers, timing, and themes.