Astronomy Programs

September 2011 - August 2012

Stargazing — Free!

Want to view the night sky from the Helen Sawyer Hogg Observatory? Join us on the dates below as we open the doors and welcome stargazers. The program is free and strictly weather permitting (no indoor presentations). Dress warmly.
Duration: 90 minutes

Celebrate National Science and Technology Week

October 14 to 23, 2011

Simplified Stargazing from City or Country
By Terence Dickinson

Friday October 21 — 7 p.m. — Free Admission

The majesty of the night sky has fascinated humans since antiquity. In this highly illustrated presentation, SkyNews magazine editor Terence Dickinson demonstrates his ultrasimplified techniques for star and constellation identification.

Followed by a Star Party at 8 p.m.

Celebrate International Astronomy Day at the Museum

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Curious about the wonders of the night sky? The universe is yours to discover, so make it a family outing and come explore with us.

Daytime Ac tivities (included with Museum admission)

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Enjoy activities for all ages that are out of this world! Explore the night sky in the inflatable planetarium, safely observe the Sun (weather permitting), visit the Helen Sawyer Hogg Observatory, or make your own astronomy craft to take home.

International Astronomy Day Free Star Party

8 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Join us for a free star party! Enjoy views of the Moon and planets through a variety of telescopes including Canada’s largest refracting telescope. The program is free and strictly weather permitting (no indoor presentations). Dress warmly.

Youth Astronomy Nights

Minimum 20 participants, $4 per person
Duration: 90 minutes

Group Programs

Learn about the Solar System and discover how stars are formed. Touch real meteorites, look through Canada’s largest refracting telescope (weather permitting), or view the constellations from the Museum’s inflatable planetarium.

Badge Programs

Based on the Group Program (above), with hands-on activities and demonstrations, badge programs are specially tailored to Sparks, Beavers, Brownies, Cubs, Guides, Scouts, Pathfinders, and Venturers wishing to obtain their astronomy or space badges.

Astronomy Café for Adults

Minimum 10, maximum 20 participants, $8 per person
Duration: 90 minutes

Enjoy a night of astronomy learning, discussions, and observations over a cup of tea or coffee — no science background required. A perfect outing for adult community clubs, associations, seniors’ and university groups. Tour our Universe with an experienced astronomy educator, then observe through Canada’s largest refracting telescope (weather permitting), or view the night sky in the comfort of the Museum’s inflatable planetarium.

Family Astronomy And Space Workshops

Special package pricing

Choose all nine or any three family workshops from below:

*children work with their accompanying adult(s) to make their craft

Crazy Comets

November 4, 2011
7:00 p.m.

Watch a live demonstration with dry-ice comets, learn how these mysterious Solar System objects are formed, and create your own comet to take home.

Constellation Book

November 25, 2011
7:00 p.m.

Hear the stories and mythology of the stars in the sky, and make your own glow-in-the-dark constellation book.

Create a Cloud Mobile

December 16, 2011
7:00 p.m.

Learn about space weather on other planets, create real clouds indoors, and make your own cloud mobile to take home.

Planets

January 13, 2012
7:00 p.m.

Learn about the eight planets then choose your favourites to make your own re-usable planetary stamps.

Saturn Model

February 3, 2012
7:00 p.m.

Construct your own ringed model of the planet Saturn and learn what makes this one of the coolest planets in our Solar System.

Groovy Galaxies

February 17, 2012
7:00 p.m.

Have a groovy good time crafting your own suncatcher of spiraling galaxies to take home with you.

Colour Me Cosmic

March 9, 2012
7:00 p.m.

Have fun with the colourful world of astronomy, from infrared to UV light, then create a black-light cosmic craft to bring home.

It’s About Time

April 13, 2012
7:00 p.m.

Explore the different ways the Sun and stars can help us to tell time, and construct a fancy pocket sundial to take home.

Space Payload: Egg Drop

May 18, 2012
7:00 p.m.

Test your space engineering skills with this eggcellent activity designing landing gear for your delicate cargo.

Registration

Advance registration is required for all programs. Payment is required upon registration. The Museum reserves the right to substitute workshops when registration is insufficient.

Parking is free

613-991-3053 or 1-866-442-4416
TTY: 613-991-9207

Comments should be sent to: Melanie Hall