19
February
Globe at Night
Measuring light pollution of your sky, See: www.globeatnight.org
12
February
Public Planetarium Show - University of Toronto
What and Where are Dark Matter and Dark Energy?
Dark matter and dark energy make up about 95% of the contents of the universe. But what are they? And where are they? If they make up so much of the universe, how did we miss them for so long?
Image: Gravity of Galaxy Cluster Abell 2218 Creates Giant Lens
9
February
RCI Joint Lecture: The Chelyabinsk Airburst Decoded: Impact Hazards
The impact hazard from small asteroids is uncertain because of many poorly understood factors. These include how asteroids vaporize in the atmosphere together with the associated impact effects at the ground. The Chelyabinsk event gave scientists their first detailed instrumental data on a well observed, damage producing airburst.
I will describe what we have learned about the Chelyabinsk airburst in the year since it occurred and what it may tell us about future impacts onto the Earth.
8
February
Learn how to use your telescope
Clinic is full, waiting list formed. Learn how to use your telescope with the Free Clinic for New Telescope Owners. Are you a new (or unintentional) telescope owner? Can't figure out which end of the telescope to look through? Baffled and confused by terms and concepts like collimation, finder alignment, polar alignment, eye relief, declination, etc.? Telescope in the closet collecting dust, instead of photons? We can help!
6
February
Astronomy Public Tour at the University of Toronto: Supernova Extravaganza
A supernova, SN 2014J, has just been discovered in M82, the Cigar Galaxy. This stellar explosion is the first to be visible with a pair of binoculars since 1987, and the nearest thermonuclear (or type Ia) supernova to us since the time of Johannes Kepler. To celebrate, AstroTours will be holding our very first panel discussion, featuring both a series of short talks and an extended Q&A session. Our panel of experts will describe the history, present understanding, and outstanding questions of thermonuclear supernovae, and how SN 2014J can challenge our understanding.
5
February
Directly Imaging Extrasolar Planets - Cancelled
This meeting has been cancelled due to weather.
As a consolation, you can go to Sky & Telescope for this interview with Dr. Currie and Dr. Carol Grady on the subject. Thanks to RASC Mississauga for linking to it.
A talk by Thayne Currie (University of Toronto)
3
February
Ghostly Messengers - with Dr Ray Jayawardhana
A leading astrophysicist explains the pervasive, invisible particles key to understanding our cosmos.
Every second of day and night, many trillions of neutrinos pass through your body.
3
February
City Star Party
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!
1
February
Solar Observing
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.
30
January
New Moon
The moon is between us and the sun. Withouth the moon in the sky at night, deep sky objects are easier to observe.
27
January
Dark Sky Star Party
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 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.
24
January
ASX 11th Annual Symposium “Into the Cosmos”
This is the 11th annual symposium organized by ASX. This event aims to educate the public on some aspects of cosmology, and encourage students and the public to get informed and involved in the exciting projects and discoveries in cosmology. In the past, the symposium has featured famous astronauts, numerous top researchers, and leaders in the space industry. Previously, this annual event had attracted more than 600 audience members.
ASX is featuring: