Speaker: Dr. Jill Tarter, Bernard Oliver Chair, SETI Institute Are we alone in the universe? Is there intelligent life in space? Humans have been asking these questions throughout history. We want to know where we came from, how we fit into the cosmos and where we are going. Searching for life beyond Earth may not only result in contact, but could also lead to a better understanding ourselves. What will life in the future look like?

Everyone is invited to join us and Durham Skies on September 30 for stargazing at the edge of Lake Ontario. Take a free look through different kinds of telescopes to get close-up views of craters on the Moon and spectacular Saturn and its rings! Learn the names of the stars of autumn and the constellation patterns they form. Peer deep into 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 advice on how to use it better.

Watch the live stream of Matt Russo's talk “Harmony of the Rings” at 8:00pm https://www.youtube.com/c/SYSTEMSounds

Watch the recorded video: https://youtu.be/RTeEyn0VG3k

With the hot summer temperatures that we’re enjoying right now, it’s hard to imagine that winter is just around the corner and it’s time once again to plan for the Fall Work Party at the Toronto Centre’s E.C. Carr Astronomical Observatory (CAO).

Join us at the Ontario Science Centre for our monthly Solar Observing on the TELUSCAPE observing pad. This is the area in front of the Science Centre's entrance. We use specialized telescopes that are safe to aim at the Sun. Check our home page on the Friday prior for go/no-go calls as this event is weather dependent.

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 pollution, there is so much to see. We usually observe from Long Sault Conservation Area, but this month we will be going to Glen Major Forest. Observing will begin around dusk in the parking lot. We will hold this event on the first clear night of our week-long window, so the exact date will be determined closer to the event.

Join us at the Ontario Science Centre for our monthly Solar Observing on the TELUSCAPE observing pad. This is the area in front of the Science Centre's entrance. We use specialized telescopes that are safe to aim at the Sun. Check our home page on the Friday prior for go/no-go calls as this event is weather dependent.

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!

Speaker: B. Ralph Chou, MSc, OD, Professor Emeritus, Optometry & Vision Science, University of Waterloo Even the healthiest eyes undergo changes as they age. Ralph will describe some of the most common changes that occur in aging eyes. These changes can affect our ability to enjoy visual astronomy but modern technology may help to reduce the effects.