New urban observatory in the works for Ralph Klein Park
Talks are still underway, but if the Calgary Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) has it's way, Ralph Klein Park in the city’s deep southeast will be home to Alberta’s first urban public observatory.
"It's going to be the home of astronomy in Calgary," said Robyn Foret, past RASC president.
"Calgary Parks has been wonderful to work with. We are still going through the process. We hope this will be our site. It is ideal – it's at the south end of the city's skies and we can see horizon to horizon all around us. It's a wonderful spot."
The RASC has been fundraising for years and just received a grant from the provincial government for $125,000.
"It's about half of what we expect to spend on the facility itself," said Foret.
"It's modest, but it's in a public setting, it's got a steel building and has to be robust. It has to stand the test of time. We're all very, very excited about it."
Simon Poole is the current president of the Calgary Centre of the RASC and enjoys watching people discover all the night sky has to offer.
He says it's a gateway science because it touches on physics, chemistry, biology, geology, mathematics, computer sciences and stretches into many fields of social sciences.
He says learning astronomy at a young age opens many doors to the future.
"We want to give kids and adults the opportunity to see Saturn and its rings for the first time," said Poole.
"To see star clusters, to see nebula, to see all manner of great things in the night sky."
The society is celebrating its 65th anniversary in Calgary this year and has 600 members.
It used to organize public night viewings with its telescopes at the old Centennial Planetarium, which became TELUS Spark.
But the Centennial Planetarium closed in 2011.
The society is still able to host events south of the city at the Rothney Astrophysical Observatory but space and time with its telescope is limited.
With a new observatory of its own, the society says it can run its public programs that Calgarians have missed over the years.
"Just to give you an idea of the demand," said Foret.
"When we did a public star night here, when this park first opened, we had over 800 people show up. We were open for three hours and you know, it was wonderful to see that kind of turnout."
The most important pieces of an observatory are its telescopes.
The society saved its old eight-inch refracting telescope from the planetarium.
"Bill Peters was the director of that facility, who's still very involved in the astronomical community and designing observatories around the world and working in consulting in that regard," said Foret.
"He built that telescope and he's donated it to us, so it will be our signature instrument at this new observatory."
Right now, Peters is refurbishing the telescope that will have a moveable platform beneath it to make it accessible for people of all abilities.
The society hopes to break ground on the project this year.
Learn more about the RASC at calgary.rasc.ca.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.