Rothney Astrophysical Observatory

The Rothney Astrophysical Observatory (RAO) benefits the community through its dual roles as a University of Calgary research facility and as a public educational institution. The RAO’s primary purpose and service to the community is to provide a resource for science educators and to act as a support to science education in Alberta. Therefore, the RAO objectives are to create a quality-learning environment built on integrated teaching, research and creative activities. Another objective is to return the benefits of our learning and research to our communities ensuring that we are responsive to their needs. We accomplish these objectives through interpretative activities and the development of public programming that articulates and involves University of Calgary research and scientific technology. Our exhibits and programs create a stimulating experiential learning experience with an exhibit program that responds to the needs and wants of our target audiences. The RAO houses a collection of telescopes, related technology and archival resources. These collections are conserved, researched and interpreted for the public and for future generations of Alberta. We are actively working on the Convergence: Where the people of the land reach the sky project, which is the collaborative development of a scientific and Indigenous themed exhibits involving art and optics along with experiential programs for Indigenous youth, students, and visitor both online and in person. Creating relevant Indigenous content for all of our spaces, programs, and engaging Indigenous students, is a priority for the Rothney Astrophysical Observatory and is part of the University of Calgary’s strategy ii’ taa’poh’to’p.