This unique and lively presentation is sure to entertain all ages and is especially suitable for newcomers to astronomy. In the first half of the evening travel back to Renaissance Italy in March of 1610, where Galileo himself is portrayed as introducing you to his newest scientific instrument. Hear in his own words how he built this telescope, the observations he made, and the magnificent discoveries that even he realized would revolutionize our understanding of the heavens.

Everyone is invited to join us and Durham Skies on September 9 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 the spectacular rings of Saturn. Learn the names of late-summer stars and the constellation patterns they form. Peer deep into space and try your hand at spotting faint star clusters and nebulae.

If you have a budding young astronomer or are one yourself then this is the course for you. Offered by the Earthshine Astronomy and Space Science Organization and The Riverwood Conservancy, this four-week course is open to ages 12 and up. The course is taught by members of the Mississauga Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. On clear evenings, observing with telescopes will take place from 8:30-9:30pm, extending the course time by 30 minutes.

Gordon's Park RASC Dark Sky Preserve on Manitoulin Islandhttp://gordonspark.com/astronomy-and-stargazing/http://gordonspark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016-ABW-LD.pdf

By listening to the cold, dim hiss of the universe, we can learn about its fiery beginning. Prof. Renée Hlozek's talk will focus on how cosmologists use microwave instruments to measure this birth-light. She’ll describe the telescope she uses, high up in the Atacama Desert of Chile, and what we learn about what the universe contains, how it started and ultimately how it is going to end.

Annular solar eclipse

Moonless night allowing to see deep sky objects

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, so the date and time are determined closer to.

Family Nights are a great introduction to the night sky for our younger (and older) guests. Look through telescopes, make some space crafts, visit the Skylab and find out what's really up there!

Measuring light pollution of your sky, see www.globeatnight.org

Halfway Lake Provincial Parkhttp://www.ogorman.ca/https://www.ontarioparks.com/park/halfwaylake

Star Talk nights offer great talks by great speakers on astronomy, space science and sometimes, science fiction. You'll also have a chance to tour the Observatory and (weather permitting) check out the night sky through a variety of telescopes set up on the lawn and through the big scope in the Main Dome.  If the weather gods are angry, you can check out the (virtual) night sky in our special Skylab. Star Talk nights run regardless of weather conditions.