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.

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!

This event is held if the previous event did not happen because of overcast skies.Join us at the Ontario Science Centre for our monthly Solar Observing on the TelusScape 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.

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.

The moon is between us and the sun. Without the moon in the sky at night, deep sky objects are easier to observe.

Breezy Hill in Springfield, Vermont, US See www.stellafane.org

River Place Park, RR 3, Ayton, Ontario, Canada See www.nyaa.ca/starfest.htm

Cypress Hill, Interprovincial Park, SK, Canada See www.usask.ca/rasc/starparty.html