We are all made of stardust. That dust comes from the debris left over after a massive star explodes. These environments are so extreme they are unlike anything we can find or duplicate on Earth. Understanding them gives us clues of the origin of our Earth and everything on it. In this talk U of T's Jennifer West will tell you about how these fascinating stellar graveyards are the building blocks of life, and how we can learn more about them.

Hover above the Moon like an astronaut and get eye-to-eye with the planets. Find colourful stars, star clusters, bright nebulae and even another galaxy. Our monthly City Star Party is the place to catch universe from within the city limits at Bayview Village Park. If you don't have a telescope then you will find many astronomers who would love to share a view. If you are thinking of buying a telescope, viewing with other people's equipment is the best way to make a good choice. If you have a telescope or binoculars, please bring it!

Everyone is invited to join us and Durham Skies for stargazing at the edge of Lake Ontario. Take a free look through different kinds of telescopes (including solar-filtered scopes) to get close-up looks at sunspots, craters on the Moon, and planets visible in the current night sky. Peer into deep space and try your hand at spotting faint star clusters and nebulae. You can even bring your own telescope along and we'll give you expert advice on how to use it better.

Fourteen billion years ago, the universe was little more than a cloud of hot hydrogen gas. Patrick Breysse will tell the story of how that cloud of gas evolved into all of the galaxies, stars, and planets we see around us today. In the process, he'll explain some of how astronomers study the history of the universe, and how telescopes are secretly time machines that let us look directly into the distant past. He'll also talk about some of the great mysteries that remain in this story, and how we're working in Toronto and elsewhere to solve them.

See the Milky Way and galaxies with the unaided eye. Point your telescope to find the many dim deep space objects that sprinkle the sky. Away from Toronto's light polution, there is so much to see. We observe from the Long Sault Conservation area, an hour outside of Toronto. We meet around dusk once a month in the parking lot for views only seen in dark sky conditions. We hold this event on the first clear night of our week-long window. Check our homepage for GO/NO-GO calls as this event is weather dependent.

RASC Toronto Centre presents, at the David Dunlap Observatory, Paint Night! On Tuesday 20 August, 7:30 PM, join us for a wonderful evening of nebulae and watercolours with artist Anna Ainsworth.

People have deeply-held misconceptions about the most basic astronomical topics, such as the cause of the seasons. In this profusely-illustrated, non-technical presentation, some "heavenly errors" will be discussed, from everyday life, to exotic black holes, to the birth of the universe. Presented by Dr. John Percy, Professor Emeritus at the University of Toronto, in Astronomy & Astrophysics and in Science Education.

Join the Hamilton Amateur Astronomers for the Annual Public Perseids Meteor Shower Night.

What is the sound of a twinkling star? Can planets keep a beat? How loud was the big bang?

What is the sound of a twinkling star? Can planets keep a beat? How loud was the big bang?