OSC: Shoot the Moon Star Party
To the Moon and back! Show the Earth’s only natural satellite a little love by taking its picture with your smartphone or digital camera. As the second-brightest, regularly visible celestial object in our sky, photographing the Moon is a snap. (See what we did there?)
Participate in an astrophotography workshop, take a tour of the night sky using a telescope, engage in hands-on, Moon-themed activities, find out about the latest in lunar science and learn about mathematician Katherine Johnson, whose calculations helped put the first humans on the Moon.
Astrophotography Workshop: Beginner Moon Imaging with Smartphones | 7:30pm
The moonie is the new selfie! Perfect for snap-happy stargazers, this workshop provides step-by-step instructions on making the most of your smartphone to capture the beauty of our photogenic Moon.
Astrophotography Workshop: Advanced Moon Imaging with Digital SLR Cameras | 8:00pm
Want to try your hand at astrophotography? This workshop provides tried, tested and true tips for lunar photography. Whether it’s gibbous, quarter, crescent or full, you’ll learn how to capture the Moon’s good side.
Guest Speaker: Helaine Becker, author of Counting on Katherine | 8:30pm
Award-winning children’s author Helaine Becker spoke with American research mathematician Katherine Johnson and her family in order to write Counting on Katherine, a biographical picture book which depicts a real little girl whose boundless curiosity and love for counting led her to calculate the course for the 1969 Apollo 11 flight to the Moon.
Through an engaging and interactive presentation, learn more about Katherine’s extraordinary life – from her early beginnings as a gifted student to her heroic accomplishments as a prominent mathematician at NASA – and be inspired to follow your passion.
Counting on Katherine (hardcover) will be available for purchase and signing. Member discounts apply.
Guest Speaker: Sara Mazrouei, PhD Candidate in Planetary Geology, University of Toronto | 9:30pm
Why do scientists look to the Moon to piece together the Earth’s past? Both the Moon and the Earth are about 4.5 billion years old, which means meteorite activities that affected the Moon likely affected the Earth. And where the Earth is constantly evolving, the Moon’s surface – without atmosphere, tectonic activity or weather – serves as a time capsule. Covered with dead volcanoes, lava lakes and impact craters, the lunar surface holds the secrets to the Earth’s past.
Learn about the latest methods scientists use to date impact craters and keep time in our eons-old solar system.
In the event of poor weather, Star Party activities will be held indoors. Telescope observing is weather dependent.
Who can attend: Everyone
Fee: Free (Parking $10, Member discounts apply)
Organized by: Ontario Science Centre and RASC - Toronto Centre
Registration: Not required
Location: Ontario Science Centre (TELUSCAPE, outside the Main Entrance)