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

Neptune is best positioned for observing.

The Riverwood Conservancy and the City of Mississauga are pleased to present “Our Night Sky”, a new show for young audiences of all ages, created and performed by the Chamber Music Society of Mississauga (CMSM). This free admission, Preview Performance, is scheduled for Monday, August 31, rain or shine, beginning at 8 pm in the Riverwood Barn. Bring your own lawn chairs.

The Story of Space TelescopesDr. Pauline Barmby, Western University Nearly everyone has heard of the Hubble space Telescope, but it's not alone in space. Why do we need so many space telescopes, and how do they get built and operated? What have we learned from these overhead observatories?Star Talk nights offer great talks by great speakers on astronomy, space science and sometimes, science fiction.

Family Nights are a great introduction to the night sky for our younger guests. Look through telescopes, make some space crafts, visit the Skylab and find out what's really up there! Family Nights require tickets to be purchased in advance. This program runs regardless of sky or weather conditions. If skies are clear you can check out the night sky through a variety of telescopes including the biggest optical telescope in Canada! The evening also includes a presentation in our special Skylab that offers great (virtual) night sky viewing.

Come out and observe the universe at the Riverwood Conservancy! Join members of the Mississauga Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada as they set up large telescopes to look at the Moon, planets and stars.

Mysteries of the North StarDr. John Percy, University of Toronto Polaris, the North Star, is the best-known star in the northern night sky. But there's a lot more to it than meets the (unaided) eye. This presentation will explain what astronomers know (and don't know) about Polaris, and how it helps them to understand the nature and evolution of stars—and even the size and scale of the universe! Star Talk nights offer great talks by great speakers on astronomy, space science and sometimes, science fiction.

Family Nights are a great introduction to the night sky for our younger guests. Look through telescopes, make some space crafts, visit the Skylab and find out what's really up there! Family Nights require tickets to be purchased in advance. This program runs regardless of sky or weather conditions. If skies are clear you can check out the night sky through a variety of telescopes including the biggest optical telescope in Canada! The evening also includes a presentation in our special Skylab that offers great (virtual) night sky viewing.

Join us and Durham Skies this August for stargazing at the edge of Lake Ontario. Take a free peek through different kinds of telescopes to get close-up looks at craters on the Moon and the spectacular rings of Saturn. Learn the names of summertime stars and the constellation patterns they form. Peer deep into space and try your hand at spotting spot 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.

Showtimes: 7:00pm, 8:00pm, and 9:00pm For thousands of years, humans have studied the heavens from the confines of the Earth.  In the last century, however, we have begun sending both people and machines to other worlds. Where have we gone, and what discoveries have we made? This planetarium show will delve into the history of space exploration, from the first tentative steps made during the Space Race to the first-ever flyby of Pluto by the New Horizons spacecraft.

Built up your thirst for more astronomy!? Great! Because on Thursday, August 20th, astronomers from the University of Toronto will be back at the Tranzac Club for another fun evening of pints, mind-expanding talks, games and prizes. Plus, following all the talks and games, there'll be plenty of time and plenty of astronomers around to answer all your cosmic questions.

The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) Toronto Centre is hosting a special behind-the-scenes tour of Canada's largest optical telescope for Y Lab makers. Old technology meets new as RASC volunteers show us mechanical clock-like workings of the 80-year old telescope, followed by demonstrations of some of their members' own telescopes and digital star tracking gizmos. Weather permitting, we'll also get to do some stargazing. Come out for this unique opportunity to visit one of the best sites of the entire GTA.