Our History
1970
Alan Clark was assigned the task of designing an observatory to support the new astronomy undergraduate program. This led directly to the generous offer of a quarter-section of land by Sandy Cross, a prominent rancher and long-time citizen with deep connections to the early history of Calgary. The adopted name of the resulting observatory incorporates the family name of Rothney in recognition of this initial gift.
1971
Alan Clark and Gene Milone made the first astronomical observations on the new site by establishing the N-S line for the piers of the 16-inch telescope. This telescope was subsequently installed into the dome and a classroom was placed next to a multi-pillar terrace for student observing.
1972
The Rothney Astrophysical Observatory was inaugurated on Jan. 7, 1972 with a dedication ceremony on site. Dr. Margaret Burbidge, director of the Royal Greenwich Observatory, attended and unveiled a sundial to mark the official opening. At that time, the observatory consisted of a joined pair of trailers for a classroom and office, a Minnaert observing terrace and, thanks to provincial matching funds, a 41-centimetre telescope and dome for astronomical research. Clark and Milone became responsible for operations.
1981
The National Research Council of Canada decided to finance the construction of a new facility. The facility would house a one-and-a-half metre telescope capable of operating in the infrared range. Alexander Rothney Cross signed on to the project by making another donation. The Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake also provided a gift: a Baker-Nunn camera that the armed forces had used to track satellites in the sky.
1987
The one-and-a-half metre telescope was operational. The physics department changed its name to the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Most of the research work focused on the study of stars, x-ray sources, possible black holes and planetary nebulas. The telescope was still equipped with a metal mirror, and its optical qualities were considered less than optimal at that time. The decision was made to replace it with a new mirror.
1993
A new mirror was delivered to the observatory. Once again, Alexander Rothney Cross contributed to the project. Construction was completed by the Department of Physics and Astronomy workshop.
1996
The telescope became operational. Alan Clark formally retired in 1996, but continued his involvement with the RAO by leading the IRT upgrade to accommodate the new high quality 1.8-m glass mirror.
1997
The telescope was baptized as the Alexander Rothney Cross Telescope. The new telescope is used to observe gravitational lenses, asteroids, comets and variable stars. It is also used in the search for planets outside our solar system.
2001
The RAO was awarded a Research Capacity Upgrade grant, of which $175,000 was from the Alberta Strategic Research Investments Program (ISRIP). The upgrades occurred over the period 2002-2005 and included to further automate the IRT. Renamed the Alexander R. Cross Telescope or ARCT after the optical quality 1.8-m mirror was installed. The upgrade also included a project to digitize the 40 cm telescope for remote operation, and remount the Baker-Nunn satellite tracking camera transforming it into the RAO Patrol Camera
2002
Dr. Milone received approximately $400,000 from the Government of Alberta, the University of Calgary and private donors to build the interpretive centre. The initial open houses were held synchronously with the University of Calgary's Open Houses. The first regular RAO open house program was instituted in 1995, with seasonal monthly open houses at the RAO. The subsequent successful Visitors' Centre grant was awarded on the strength and success of that program and came to fruition nearly a decade later.
2003
The Department of Geology and Geophysics developed a direct, high speed, line-of-sight data link to dedicated servers on campus to permit both reliable and constant data transmission from the seismometer array. This development permits remote and robotic telescope operations.
2005
The interpretive centre opened to the public. Public outreach and the open house program grew to include school and youth programs. Thousands of people visited the observatory annually. The Interpretive Centre developed as a hub for astronomy education.
2006
The interim director, Rene Plume, stepped down and Phil Langill took the helm as the director of the observatory. The role and purpose of the observatory transformed with public programming and outreach activities. These new initiatives continued the tradition of the Rothney Astrophysical Observatory as an educational institution.
2008
The Rothney Astrophysical Observatory received an ASTech award for Excellence In Science and Technology Public Awareness. We continue towards excellence with the valued feedback of teachers, students and all those who visit the observatory.
2008
Rob Cardinal was looking for an asteroid using the Baker-Nunn telescope, but ended up finding a comet. This was the first comet discovered at the Rothney Astrophysical Observatory and only the second Canadian discovery of a comet, using a Canadian telescope, in nearly a decade. Rob discovered a second comet in 2010.
2013
The Canadian Space Agency launched the CAScade, Smallsat and IOnospheric Polar Explorer also known as CASSIOPE. The satellite soars through the Earth's aurora and space weather collecting data, which is studied by the observatory’s scientists.
RAO Aerial View-JAN 2019
RAO Circa 1994