Big Sky Observatory celebrates grand opening Ten years in the making, the Big Sky Astronomical Society recently held the grand opening of the Big Sky Observatory (BSO) with about 100 in attendance and special guest Karl Ivarson, a Second World War veteran who donated the telescope to the observatory. James Durbano, president of the society, said the public observatory is the first of its kind in Alberta, situated under a completely dark sky devoid of light pollution from neighbouring towns and cities.