Okanagan Observatory Raffle

The results are in for the Okanagan Observatory Raffle 2010, August 16.

Observatory Hints:

Please dress warmly and good shoes are a must to avoid cold feet.
Coffee/cocoa will not be allowed near telescopes.
No white light flashlights; red cellophane and elastic bands will be available.
The observing site has slightly irregular ground that may be a problem for some in the dark ...
and NO pets please!
Please drive carefully and watch for wildlife on the road when visiting the Observatory. The large population of Deer in the area are very active at night.
You can phone the Okanagan Observatory Event Phone, 250-300-8SKY (8759) for an event update.

Directions:

The Okanagan Observatory is 4 kms up Big White Rd from Hwy 33. That makes it only 35 kms from Rutland Rd. Club members will have their telescopes pointed at many wondrous celestial objects such as the Moon, Planets, Galaxies, clusters of 500,000 stars, dying stars, double stars and super nova remnants. We will be pointing out the Milky Way and constellations with special astronomical laser pointers as we tour the night sky.

Coming Soon:

The member built 25" reflecting telescope will be available for public use soon. This scope is optimized for public use and will provide high magnification views of deep sky objects such as supernova, galaxies and quasars:

Planning ahead:

Our free public viewing nights will continue in the spring, summer and fall of 2009. Construction goals for 2009 will see improvements to public access and the initiation of use of a "public-optimized" twenty five inch telescope which our members have been building for nearly two years.
The Okanagan Observatory is on the cusp of entering the Okanagan consciousness as a place to bring family and guests for an exciting evening of education and appreciation of our clear, dark and star studded Okanagan skies. We would like to thank the many members of our community whose generous donations brought the project to the point of being able to host visiting guests to share the wonders of the night sky.
Construction of the observatory facilities is a work in progress causing some areas of the grounds to be irregularly contoured. Until the observatory structures are built RASC members utilize their personal telescopes to share the wonders of the bountiful Okanagan dark skies on public open nights.

Click here for full size image.

Sky Theatre
(construction 2010)

A natural amphitheatre-like feature of the observatory grounds will be developed into a Sky Theatre where astronomer-volunteers will give guests a guided tour of our nocturnal heritage. Concentric observing levels and benches will be installed on the gentle slopes of the amphitheatre, facing a presentation area where astronomer guides will conduct celestial tours using special astronomical laser pointers that stab into the night and appear to touch the objects of our attention. A large screen will be used for "cloudy nights" slide shows, short films and educational presentations. As with all aspects of the Okanagan observatory, complete wheelchair access to the Sky Theatre will be provided.

Thanks to the generous support of BC Gaming the Sky Theatre construction will begin in 2010.

Yes, you can reach out and touch a star!


An example of a similar design.

The Okanagan Observatory is on the cusp of entering the Okanagan consciousness as a place to bring family and guests for an exciting evening of education and appreciation of our clear, dark and star studded Okanagan skies. There were 150 people out Friday night September 11, 2009. Please feel very welcome to attend the public viewing nights.

For problems or questions regarding this web site contact guy.m@shaw.ca