A JOY FOR STARGAZERS
Observatory’s open house will showcase moon, stars, planets
Thanks to a stargazing event at the Rothney Astrophysical Observatory next month, astronomy enthusiasts will be able to view the wonders of the night sky with the help of high-powered telescopes.
The event, organized each month by the department of physics and astronomy at the U of C, is promoted as a way to educate young and old Albertans on how the universe works around them.
Roland Dechesne, member of the Calgary chapter of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, or RASC, has given the opening lecture at the RAO’s events for nearly 15 years.
An ardent lover of the hobby since his youth, Dechesne, a geologist by training, will kick off the observatory’s next open house on April 11 with a presentation of what planets and constellations are visible and how to identify each one.
“People really flock to it,” Dechesne said. “Even in the worst weather, we’ll get 200 people out.”
At the time of its founding in 1972, the RAO was not open to the public. Educational programming was only added to the observatory’s mandate nine years ago.
When the event begins at 8 p.m., weather permitting, a third-quarter moon will be high in the sky, as well as Mars, Venus, and Jupiter.
For those who do not bring any optical equipment of their own, members of the RASC will be on hand to provide telescopes and educate the public on their use.
While attendees are encouraged to begin heading home at 11 p.m., a number of enthusiasts are often interested in continuing to stargaze throughout the night.
“Amateur astronomers are raring to go when the event is supposed to wrap up,” Dechesne said. “It’s the kids that usually manage to quickly tire themselves out.”
The April 11 open house will celebrate the UN International Year of Light, a UNESCO designation that aims to raise awareness about how light-based technologies provide solutions to global challenges in energy, education, agriculture and health.
Phil Langill, professor of astronomy at the U of C and director of the RAO, views the existence of light and one’s ability to view galaxies and nebulas at night as being directly correlated to the other.
“Astronomy is the gathering and analysis of light from the universe,” Langill said. “Light is fundamental to what we do.”
While weather is often a factor in the success or failure of the RAO’s nighttime observations, light pollution from surrounding communities has the potential to outshine the stars in the sky.
According to Langill, the RAO has found itself in a location that remains largely unaffected by the lights of Calgary.
“Light is like a little billiard ball that bounces around the sky,” Langill said. “The less light there is, the more of the heavens you can see.
For astronomy enthusiasts who need something to tide them over before the open house, there will be a total lunar eclipse on the morning of April 4.
Amateur astronomers are raring to go when the event is supposed to wrap up. It’s the kids that usually manage to quickly tire themselves out.