Speaker: Dr. Michael Reid, Dunlap Institute for Astronomy & Astrophysics The Big Bang Theory is one of the crowning achievements of modern science. The basic premise—that the universe began expanding about 14 billion years ago from a very hot, dense state—has been independently verified many times over. And yet there is widespread confusion and uncertainty about what the theory actually says—and what it doesn't. 

Jon Butterworth, University College London

Journey into space without leaving the library! Take in an educational and eye-opening science show inside a giant mobile dome. The Ontario Planetarium is presenting 7 shows throughout the day at the following times: 10AM, 11AM, 1PM, 2PM, 3PM, 4PM and 5PM. The 10AM, 11AM, 1PM, 2PM and 3PM shows are currently full. There are still spaces available in the shows at 4PM (for teens 13-17) and 5PM (for adults). To register or to be added to the waitlist, please call 416-395-5750.

As part of their 40th Anniversary Celebration Season, the Amadeus Choir will present "Of Heart and Tide: The Gift of Water" at Trinity-St. Paul's Centre (Jeanne Lamon Hall) with famed Canadian astronaut Dr. Roberta Bondar.

A free screening of the critically-acclaimed documentary, Particle Fever, followed by a question and answer period with York university researchers Wendy Taylor and Sean Tulin. Then, walk over to the York University Observatory to do a little research of your own with the observatory's telescopes.

Sarah Symons, Assistant Professor, McMaster University.

Come explore our precious place in the Cosmos featuring a talk by new Dunlap Institute Director Bryan Gaensler, planetarium shows, telescope observing, astronomy activities and exhibits, and a Chat with an Astronomer reception. Schedule•5:40 – 6:40 – Planetarium Shows (15 minutes each)•6:00 – 7:00 – Reception in the Earth Sciences Building Lobby•7:00 – 8:00 – Talk by Bryan Gaensler•8:00 – 8:15 – Post-Talk & Time to Walk to the Telescopes•8:15 – 10:00 – Telescope Observing, Activities, & Refreshments•8:30 – 9:30 – Earth Hour!

Amaury Triaud, whose research has led to the confirmation of 48 new nearby exoplanetary systems, discusses how one finds a planet and the techniques that will soon tell us whether life forms have arisen on planets outside our solar system. What's Out There? Lectures in Astronomy presented in collaboration with the Dunlap Institute for Astronomy & Astrophysics.

Start your own space program and reach to the stars! Kerbal Space Program is an award winning game that teaches players real-world physics and engineering skills as they attempt to explore the Kerbal solar system. Players assist the lovable-but-hapless Kerbals as they build rockets and carry out orbital missions. In the end players learn the difficulties NASA and ESA face when traveling to the stars. This multi day program will start out with a tutorial, and then attempt a mission to the moon or even another planet.

There was a time when young men and women stood on a shore and looked out to the horizon, imaging what new lives a ship might transport them to. They imagined new sights, new wonders and in their minds they imagined new worlds. This summer, after travelling a decade through the dark and quiet of space, a small craft that bears a name that recalls these brave people, will truly see a new world. The New Horizons spacecraft will give us our first look at Pluto as just one of the many amazing sights that are in store for us in this golden age of space exploration.