Space Night May 2026

What: Space Night Event at the RAO: Presentations and viewing through RAO telescopes

Who: University of Calgary, Physics and Astronomy

Where: Rothney Astrophysical Observatory, east side of Highway 22, 2.4 km south of Hwy 22 and Hwy 22x interchange

When: Saturday May 9, 2026 – 9:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight. **Please dress for the weather**

Join RAO co-director Dr. Matthew Taylor and PhD candidate Solveig Thompson as they discuss their new research into extraordinary black holes using the James Webb Space Telescope. 

Steve Donaldson of The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada – Calgary Centre will present “The Sky Tonight”, and a preview of the summer in the Milky Way. 

As well as presentations, Space Night features access to an array of telescopes operated by University of Calgary astronomers and members of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada – Calgary Centre. Visitors will have the opportunity to observe the night sky and ask questions.

Cost: $10 per person plus GST & fees – tickets available on Showpass. Ticket required for ages 8 and up, please note that the event is geared towards older children and up. This is a ticketed event. Only those with a pre-purchased ticket will be admitted. No tickets are available at the door. All proceeds go towards the RAO’s educational programming.

Tickets available on Showpass at 12:00 noon on April 9.