Public Open House Nights: The Okanagan Observatory hosts free public observing nights every Friday. We will be pointing out the Milky Way and constellations with special astronomical laser pointers as we tour the night sky. Club members will have their telescopes on hand and be using the observatory 25 inch telescope to show off celestial wonders such as the Moon, planets, comets, dying stars, stellar nurseries, globular clusters, open clusters and galaxies.
For several years, the Okanagan Observatory -- in conjunction with People in Motion -- has offered once-a-month bus transportation from Kelowna to the observatory, allowing people with mobility or night-driving challenges to join in our Friday night public stargazing sessions. We hope to continue this free service for years to come. The bus can accommodate wheelchairs, and the observatory is equipped with a telescope that allows people in wheelchairs to see objects anywhere in the sky. (Please note that the surface at the OO is hard-packed gravel -- some wheelchairs may not roll as easily as others on this surface.) To get details about the bus service and when it is offered, please contact info@okanaganobservatory.ca or call 250-763-6962.
Observatory Hints: Please dress warmly and good shoes are a must to avoid cold feet. Drinks of any kind are not allowed near telescopes. No white light flashlights; red cellophane and elastic bands will be available. 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. Coming from Kelowna the entry road is on the left, there is a large sign on the side of the road just before the entrance and the entry roadway is lined with flashing yellow traffic lights. 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.
The 25" Scope (constructed 2008): Thanks to private donations and funding grants from B.C. Gaming and the Central Okanagan Foundation, the 25” telescope is now available for public use. RASCOC members dedicated two years of volunteer time to constructing this custom built reflecting telescope. Able to track celestial objects for long periods of time, it’s design also incorporates a folded light path which allows for a lower than normal eyepiece viewing location, thus eliminating the need for ladders to access the eyepiece as is common in many large aperture telescope applications.