A visionary project to provide Albertans with awe-inspiring views of the Universe.
RASC Edmonton Centre operates the Black Nugget Lake Observatory (BNLO), a dark sky observatory at Black Nugget Lake Park, 70 km (42 miles) southeast of Edmonton. This is sufficiently distant from Edmonton, that truly dark skies can be enjoyed. The observatory houses the LARGEST telescope in Western Canada for the public to look through. The facility opened with official First Light on Sep 16, 2023.
The observatory is operated by volunteers of the RASC Edmonton Centre. A mix of Member Events and Public Events are offered as volunteer resources are available and as weather permits (see below).
The Facility
The facility consists of two buildings: an Observatory housing a 32″ telescope and a Visitor Centre for presentations and warming up in the colder weather. There is also a toilet building adjacent to the facility.
The Telescope
The primary instrument is the Unyk-Drew Telescope, a folded Newtonian telescope with a 32″ (81 cm) f/4 primary mirror. The optical components were made by legendary mirror maker Barry Arnold and donated by long-time Edmonton Centre member Bob Drew. The telescope was designed and constructed by master telescope builder Roman Unyk.
Member Viewing Opportunities
RASC Edmonton Centre members receive announcements of Member Events at BNLO by direct email from the Centre. Please note: Minors must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian at all times.
Public Viewing Opportunities
From time to time, the observatory is for public viewing opportunities. Public openings are announced on social media. Please note: Minors must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian at all times.
 RASC Edmonton Facebook |
 Beaver County Facebook |
For more information, contact the BNLO Committee at bnlo@edmontonrasc.com.
Authorized Access for Members
Observing Site
BNLO includes a gated observing site for use by authorized RASC Edmonton Centre members for personal astronomy. There’s a berm to the north shielding the field from the adjacent road and golf course operation and there are trees and slopes to the east and west shielding the site from prevailing winds. There is electric power available and a toilet building nearby. To obtain authorization to access BNLO, see BNLO Authorization below.
Barry Arnold Memorial Telescope
BNLO includes the Barry Arnold Memorial Telescope (BAMT), a fine 18″ (46 cm) f/4.33 Dobsonian telescope on a Poncet mount, for use by authorized RASC Edmonton Centre members. To obtain authorization to use the BAMT, go to the Members’ Area and familiarize yourself with the BAMT policies and procedures and follow the instructions to obtain authorization to use the BAMT.
Authorization to access BNLO is available to RASC Edmonton Centre members. Centre members interested in access to BNLO or volunteering at BNLO should go to the Members’ Area and follow the instructions to obtain a BNLO Authorization.
History
A brief historical overview of BNLO was presented by Warren Finlay at the June 2021 RASC Edmonton Centre meeting, starting at 6:45 on this YouTube link:
https://youtu.be/E3ZvW-0T4ns
A documentary about BNLO, Opening a New Window on the Universe, was presented at the November 2023 RASC Edmonton Centre meeting, on this YouTube link (3:15 Introduction, 5:55 – 27:25 Documentary).
For more information, contact the BNLO Committee at bnlo@edmontonrasc.com.
For more information, contact the BNLO Committee at bnlo@edmontonrasc.com.