The Eccles Ranch Observing Site (ERO) is another perk of RASC Calgary membership. We hold the annual (typically during New Moon) AstronoMAY Star Party and the Star-B-Q at this site.

Anyone may use the site to camp for free as long as they are members of the RASC Calgary or implied or invited guests. Members of other Centres of the RASC and other amateur astronomers are welcome, as well, as long as they advise the coordinator ahead of visit and treat the site with care, don’t leave trash behind, don’t set fire to the grass (Note: can have fire bans locally), don’t operate ATVs or dirt bikes, don’t let dogs run amok, or generate other kinds of nuisance.

There is a process in order to attend the site outside of Star Parties for security purposes. If you are interested in heading out there, please contact ero@calgaryrasc.ca well ahead of time with your request (include your Membership ID number, vehicle type and colour, and expected number in party) and you will be put in touch with the ERO Site Director, Peter Brackett, to schedule.

Location: North of Caroline, Alberta

Equipment: There is no permanent equipment located at the site. There is an outbuilding and biffy

Long time members Kerby and Priscilla Eccles owned a house and quarter section around it. In the late 1980’s Chevron decided to drill a well in a patch of peat bog on the east side of the quarter. They sank over 100 concrete pylons into the bog, built a huge timber platform on top of them to bear the weight of the drill rig, and hauled clay from a nearby hill to cover the platform and to provide the required waterproof and oil-proof leakage barrier around the well.

The well apparently proved to be a disappointment for Chevron, and it was cemented-in almost immediately after having been drilled. The peat bog had been of limited agricultural value, and the clay well site was not much more useful. Kerby, along with members Rick and Carol Weis, thought that the well pad could be turned into an observing site. The area is much darker than our Wilson Coulee Observatory, and once the berm walls were taken down it would make a nice big flat area suitable not just for camping and observing, but big enough to hold the Alberta Star Party.

The Eccles and the Centre arranged, under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, an easement for the Calgary Centre. The fenced-in easement extends over about 44 acres, a quarter of the quarter section.

The new owner of the land is in direct communication with RASC Calgary and the ERO Site Director regarding the property and maintaining the easement. If you’re planning to use the property, it is pertinent to schedule your visit using the instructions above.

Important Notice:

Due to soft ground, camping spots at the ERO have been reduced to the areas shown on the map below.