DDO Astronomy Speaker's Night - Blazars: Cosmic Cannons of Supermassive Black Holes - January 2025

Speaker: Katerina Osztertag (Liverpool John Moores University)

Topic: Blazars: Cosmic Cannons of Supermassive Black Holes

Important Notice: The Observatory Dome/74” telescope is currently undergoing restoration and will not be available for this program. Viewing of celestial objects will be provided using alternate telescopes set up outside (Weather Dependent). 

Visit this unique historical site in Richmond Hill. Hear an engaging presentation led by astronomy experts and researchers covering a variety of exciting astronomy topics.

This will be followed by other activities and the opportunity to interact with RHDDO Astronomers! Please wear / bring appropriate supplies for being outside.

All individuals/family members attending this program must be registered and a registered adult must accompany any registered participants under the age of 16.

Please arrive 15 minutes before the program start time to be signed in.

This program runs rain or shine.

Who can attend: Ages 12 and up

Fee: 

- Up to 14 years old: $16.96

- 15 or more years old: $19.16

Registration Link: ActiveRH

Location: David Dunlap Observatory (DDO)

Organized by: RASC, Toronto Centre

Abstract: At the heart of nearly every galaxy lies a portal to the unknown—a supermassive black hole, millions or even billions of times the mass of our Sun. These cosmic giants are engines of destruction, drawing in anything that ventures too close: comets, asteroids, planets, even entire solar systems. Matter spirals into their immense gravitational pull, becoming superheated and energized. Some of this matter doesn’t disappear, though; instead, it is launched back into space in the form of immense, high-speed jets stretching hundreds of thousands of light-years across. Remarkably, in some galaxies, these jets are aimed directly at Earth. When this happens, astronomers call them blazars. Blazars are among the most mysterious and powerful objects in the cosmos, offering an unparalleled glimpse into the violent and dynamic environments around supermassive black holes. This talk will explore the fascinating history of blazars, the powerful mechanics that drive them, and what they reveal about the universe — and our place within it.