Quantum physics has taken its position with rocket science in pop culture as a shorthand for frighteningly complicated science. Quantum physics has also taken on a sort of magical connotation in fiction, with features like entanglement, superposition, and tunneling spurring imagination. But where does the science draw the line? How much is joyful speculation, and how much is disregard for reality? And if it’s always seen as either magical or scary, how does that affect the perception of quantum science?

In this talk and slide show, Michael Watson will discuss his 2018 and 2019 trips to Australia, which included several nights of stargazing and astrophotography from the dark skies of the Australian Outback. He will talk about how he prepared for the trip, the equipment that he took, and how he produced the photos that you will see. His astrophotos will be interspersed with photos of some of the sights from around the Land Down Under.

Watch the recorded video: https://youtu.be/_7vj3eKYYTY

For several decades, various space agencies have launched orbital missions exploring the universe, and the volume of accumulated data and imagery is staggering. The level of detail available allows scientists and engineers alike to explore planetary surfaces well beyond Earth. Join Dr. Bhairavi Shankar as we explore these findings and images, how and why we investigate planetary surfaces, and where we are now in our search. *Featuring hands-on elements*

Did you know that about 85% of the stars in the sky belong to multiple-star systems? This month, our very own Bernie Venasse presents an introduction to DOUBLE STARS with emphasis on how to observe, measure and record your targets. Join him for an informative discussion about what you need to know to enjoy double-star observing.

Watch the recorded video: https://youtu.be/v81hgd3DzxQ

How are the sun and stars born? How can they live for billions of years? How do they turn into bizarre objects such as white dwarfs, neutron stars, pulsars, and black holes? Join professor John R. Percy of the University of Toronto, Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics, as he presents his talk in a non-technical manner to anyone with a general interest in space, stars, the universe and more.

This Winter, spend a Sunday afternoon in the OTHER dome at the DDO! Join us in the Starlab Digital Planetarium and take an interactive journey through the Universe, led by a DDO astronomer. Tour the night sky and see close-up views of galaxies, nebulas, and star clusters, view our Solar System's Planets and alien exo-planets, land on the moon, Mars - and the Sun, travel home to Earth from the edge of the Universe, hear Indigenous starlore, and watch immersive fulldome movies!

Join us on February 9 for special hands-on activities, speakers and presentations to mark International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Challenge implicit biases, widen your perspective on what makes a great scientist and imagine your future in STEM. What’s this day about? Science informs our present and our future, addressing issues that our society faces. More than ever today, the world needs science, and science needs women in all fields to bring different perspectives and solutions to global problems.

Join us at the Ontario Science Centre for our monthly Solar Observing on the TELUSCAPE.

Join us for the February AstroTour! The entire evening is free and no registration is required. Pavel Motloch, Postdoctoral Fellow at the Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics, will be sharing his expertise on dark energy! Can't make it? We will be livestreaming our talk on our Facebook event page, so be sure to tune in!

Please join us for our monthly meeting on February 6 at 8:00pm to hear Dr. Laura Parker. This meeting is open to the general public, and new members are always welcome! Dr. Parker will present an observational overview of how galaxies evolve over cosmic time. This talk will focus on the role that the host environment plays in the evolution of galaxy shapes and star formation. She will share some recent work from her research group that explores the galaxy transformations that occur in the most extreme host environment, rich galaxy clusters.