Astrophysical observatory opens doors to the public this weekend

PENTICTON – The National Research Council is showcasing the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory as it celebrates 100 years with an open house this weekend.

Research council staff at the observatory welcome the public to tour the facility, check out the telescopes and laboratories and ask questions of the institute’s scientists and engineers at an open house Saturday, June 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The observatory, located on White Lake Road approximately 20 kilometres south of Penticton, is home to leading edge technology in radio telescope and antenna construction since it’s inception in 1960. The observatory also collects data on solar activity and is a world reknowned source for information on the sun’s activity.

There's lots more to learn about the observatory in the iNFOnews.ca feature published earlier this year called What happens at the South Okanagan's White Lake Observatory where the observatory's various telescopes and research is explained.

Find out why the observatory's location in the South Okanagan is so unique in Canada for the practise of radio astronomy, and how the research facility escaped budget cuts in the late 1990s to become one of Canada's leading research facilities today in the second part of our feature Secrets of space unclocked in the South Okanagan.

The observatory open house is a family event. There will be lots of things of interest to engage kids and adults alike.

Admission is free and no reservations are required.

For more information, see the National Research Council website.


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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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