Writing a travel column for the local newspaper has given me opportunity to travel to some interesting places very close to home. One of my favorite places is the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Station about 8 kms along White Lake Road after leaving Hwy 97 near Okanagan Falls, BC. After driving through Ponderosa Pine, passing a lush golf course, then winding through desert hills you suddenly come upon a surreal landscape. One telescope towers 25.6 meters like a giant
Astrophysical Station near Okanagan Falls
mushroom. The lines of posts (count them if you can – there are 1,700) form a “T” shape with connecting wires that create a radio telescope. From 1964 to 1969 they were used to produce a picture map of radio energy from our galaxy and beyond. Several smaller telescopes are still operational and collect data to record sun and star activity in the cosmos. It is fun to photograph the landscape, but even more interesting to attend a lecture. Astronomers host tours on Sundays only during the months of July and August between 2 and 5 pm.
