U of T Astronomy Public Tour - Dark Energy

In the late 1920s, Edwin Hubble discovered that distant galaxies were receding away from us, implying that the universe itself was expanding. Seventy years later, it was found that the universe is not only getting bigger, but increasing in its rate of expansion. The mysterious substance behind this accelerated expansion has been given the name 'dark energy', and its discovery earned three cosmologists the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2011. For the month of September, Liam Connor, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics, will be describing one of the most difficult problems in modern physics and explaining how a group of Canadian astronomers plan to try and tackle it.

This talk is suitable for all ages. Admission is FREE.  Registration is not required; seating is on a first-come, first served basis.  Doors open at 9:00 p.m.

A description of the topic, speaker biography, directions, and all other pertinent information can be found at: uoft.me/astrotours

Graduate student volunteers will then lead us upstairs for the viewing of celestial objects through our two dome telescopes and our two balcony telescopes. If the sky is clear and dark, Uranus, Albireo, Mizar, the Ring Nebula (M57) and our sister galaxy Andromeda (M31) should be visible.

Planetarium shows will be running concurrently with the telescope session.  Registration is required for the shows, and there are still spots remaining.  You can sign up on our website by entering the URL above and then clicking on "Planetarium" in the navigation menu.  Don't forget to print and bring your tickets with you to the event.

Who can attend: everyone including non-members
Fee: free
Reservation not needed except for planetarium, see site for details 
Organized by: U of T Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics and the Dunlap Institute for Astronomy & Astrophysics
Location: Room: MP 102, Building: McLennan Physical Laboratories (MP), Address: 60 St. George Street, Toronto, ON