University of Calgary
Skywatch & Multimedia
- RAO Weather Cam
Click this image for a larger photo from the RAO weather cam NOTE: The date and time stamp on the weather cam image is in UTC.
Click here to create time lapse videos of the weather at the RAO: Weather Time Lapse
- *NEW* RAO All Sky Camera
A new all-sky camera has been installed at the RAO. The sky holds many surprises when you can see the whole picture at once! Because the camera is extremely light sensitive, the Sun creates a white vertical line. On very bright sunny days, the whole image may be over exposed. Images taken from sunset to sunrise are best. Planets, constellations, and the Milky Way can be seen on clear nights!
Current Sky over the RAO:
Click this thumbnail to see full size image
What does this image show? Well, it's essentially the whole sky! North is at the top and South is at the bottom. West is to the right and East is to the left. The point on the sky straight over the RAO is at the center.
The large dome to the left houses the big 1.8 m A.R. Cross Telescope. Downtown Calgary is on the horizon behind the satellite dish to the NE. The dome at the bottom houses the Baker-Nunn Telescope. The darkest and most pristine skies viewable from the RAO are away from the city, toward the south and SW.
Click here to download a video of a night aurora appeared over Calgary. This amazing night shows sky glow, 2 blasts of aurora (note the red glow too), a halo forming around the Moon, and much more.
- Clear Sky Chart
Click this image to see the RAO's Clear Sky Chart...
...and access some great astronomical links: Rothney Astrophysical Observatory - CSC
- Solar Gnomon
Click here for links to information on the solar gnomon: Solar GnomonNOTE: The RAO solar gnomon is being redesigned. Should be running before the end of 2012.
- Weather Links:
Calgary 5 Day Forecast from Environment Canada
Weather at the RAO from the Government of Alberta
- Other Webcams:
- Sky Watch (astronomical events):
"No One Alive Today Will Ever See This Again" - beware the Mars Hoax (this is a link courtesy of NASA)
- Observatories and Science Centres: