Milky Way Nights
For three moonless nights in July and in August the Rothney Astrophysical Observatory is open to the public for late night observing. Drop in for a chance to observe alongside our research scientists. If conditions are clear then we will view distant planetary nebula, globular clusters and galaxies. We will have several telescopes operating and many opportunities to view the night sky as well as several astronomers on hand to answer your questions. Milky Way Nights are a special event that focuses on the public coming to the observatory to look through a telescope and learn more about the night sky. There is no formal lecture; however we will do our best to point out the highlights of the summer sky.
No need to pre-register. The event is out of doors, so please dress for the weather. You can bring a flashlight and do not forget bug spray. If the sky is cloudy then we will not be able to operate the telescopes. If very poor weather conditions persist then the observing event is cancelled. Watch the RAO website for sky conditions and updates.
RAO Public Late Night Observing
Presentation and viewing through RAO telescopes presented by Phil Langill, University of Calgary, Physics and Astronomy at the Rothney Astrophysical Observatory, on the east side of Highway 22, 2.4 km south of the Hwy 22 and Hwy 22x interchange.
These presentations will take place:
- Thursday July 24, 10pm to 2am
- Friday July 25, 10pm to 2am
- Saturday July 26, 10pm to 2am
The cost is a donation to the Rothney Astrophysical Observatory educational programs.
About the University of Calgary
The University of Calgary is a leading Canadian university located in the nation’s most enterprising city. The university has a clear strategic direction to become one of Canada’s top five research universities by 2016, where research and innovative teaching go hand in hand, and where we fully engage the communities we both serve and lead. This strategy is called Eyes High, inspired by the university’s Gaelic motto, which translates as ‘I will lift up my eyes.’
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