Public Night
2024-05-25 20:00 - 23:00 (America/Toronto)
We welcome you all to our next public night.
🔭 As always, if we have clear skies, we will keep our telescopes ready for night sky observing. Engage with expert astronomers, ask burning questions, and gaze at the night sky through both our vintage and more modern telescopes. It’s a perfect opportunity to learn, explore, and be amazed.
🌟 This event is completely FREE and open to all. No registration is needed! Drop by whenever you like – whether you’re planning a unique night out, a memorable date, or a fun family outing.
Time: 8:00 to 11:00 pm
Check out our schedule for more upcoming events: https://cronyn.uwo.ca/schedule/ For directions and parking information, visit: https://cronyn.uwo.ca/visit-the-observatory/directions-maps-and-parking/
We hope to see you all there!

Summer Public Night
2024-06-01 20:30 - 23:00, 2024-06-08 20:30 - 23:00, 2024-06-15 20:30 - 23:00, 2024-07-27 20:30 - 23:00
We’re excited to invite you to our public night. You’ll get a chance to attend an astronomy talk by one of the astronomers at Western University.
If we have clear skies, we will keep our telescopes ready for night sky observing. Engage with expert astronomers, ask burning questions, and gaze at the night sky through both our vintage and more modern telescopes. It’s a perfect opportunity to learn, explore, and be amazed.
🌟 This event is completely FREE and open to all. No registration is needed! Drop by whenever you like – whether you’re planning a unique night out, a memorable date, or a fun family outing.
For directions and parking information, visit: https://cronyn.uwo.ca/visit-the-observatory/directions-maps-and-parking/
We hope to see you all there!

Be/X-ray binaries: stellar siblings with complicated relationships
2024-06-22 20:30 - 23:00

Canadarm3: Canada's contribution to the NASA-led Gateway and Artemis missions
2024-06-29 20:30 - 22:30

Search for Earth 2.0
2024-07-06 20:30 - 23:00

Rocks in Space
2024-07-13 20:30 - 23:00

Black Holes
2024-07-20 20:30 - 23:00

Aurora Boreales
2024-08-03 20:30 - 23:00

Antimatter
2024-08-10 20:30 - 23:00

Galaxies
2024-08-17 20:30 - 23:00

Introduction to CubeSat Technology
2024-08-24 20:30 - 23:00

Observatories
2024-08-30 20:30 - 23:00

International Observe the Moon Night
2024-09-14 14:00 - 22:00
On Saturday 14th, we will celebrate the International Observe The Moon Night at the Cronyn Observatory! From 2 to 5pm, young (and old!) kids will be able to make their very own Moon crater, as well as to touch Moon rocks! There will also be a Lunar Bingo and a Moon Trivia with Moon-related prizes for the winners! Then, from 7 to 10pm, we will have a public night where we will look at the Queen of the Night: The Moon!
Admission is completely FREE and open to all. No registration required! Drop by to add a spark of celestial magic to your evening – ideal for a unique night out, a memorable date, or a family adventure.
Venue: Cronyn Observatory, Western UniversityDate: September 14, 2024Time: 2-5pm, 7-10pm
Check out our schedule for more upcoming events at: https://cronyn.uwo.ca/schedule/ For directions and parking information, visit: https://cronyn.uwo.ca/visit…/directions-maps-and-parking/
We hope to see you there for an unforgettable night under the stars!

Comet C/2023 A (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS): how to spot the brightest comet in decades?
2024-10-05 20:00 - 22:00
Join us at Cronyn Observatory for a special public night on October 5th from 8:00 to 10:00 pm! While the comet C/2023 A3 won’t be visible from Cronyn during this event, we’re excited to share information about this celestial visitor and how you can spot it. Our knowledgeable team will provide insights into the comet’s journey and offer tips on how you can observe it yourself. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about the wonders of the cosmos and discover how you can catch a glimpse of comet C/2023 A3!

Public night: Death of the Universe
2024-10-19 20:00 - 22:00
Get into the Halloween spirit with us at Cronyn Observatory on Saturday, October 19, from 8:00 to 10:00 pm! This spooky season, our theme is ‘Death of the Universe’ and you’ll get to hear all about it from an astronomer. Take a tour of the observatory, participate in astronomical demonstrations, and chat with our astronomers about the cosmos.
🔭 If the skies are clear, our telescopes will be ready for a beautiful view of the night sky. Whether you’re an astronomy enthusiast or just curious, this event is for everyone with a love for the stars and space mysteries.
🎟️ Best of all, admission is FREE and open to everyone—no registration needed! Drop by for a celestial Halloween adventure—ideal for a unique night out, a memorable date, or a spooky family outing.

Book launch: Daydreaming in the Solar System: Surfing Saturn's Rings, Golfing on the Moon, and Other Adventures in Space Exploration
2024-11-06 19:00 - 21:00
Join us on Wednesday, November 6th from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. for the launch of Dr. John Moores’ first book: Daydreaming in the Solar System: Surfing Saturn’s Rings, Golfing on the Moon, and Other Adventures in Space Exploration. In this novel, Dr. Moores and his co-author Jesse Rogerson, using a combination of stories and science, bring readers on a celestial traverse through the solar system, from it’s farthest icy reaches to close encounters of planetary surfaces, and how these otherworldly experiences would actually look, feel, and even taste like! Having contributed to innumerable space missions and instruments for Mars, the Moon, and the outer Solar System, Dr. Moores is an Associate Professor in the Centre for Research in Earth and Space Science, the Director of the Earth and Space Science program at York University, and former Science Advisor to the President of the Canadian Space Agency. Learn more about Dr. Moores at his website: https://www.johnemoores.com/,

Admission is completely FREE and open to all. No registration required! Drop by and hear about Dr. Moores book and journey, and if the skies are clear, check out the night sky!

Public night: Jupiter and its moons
2024-11-16 20:00 - 22:00
Cronyn Observatory will have its doors open on Novemeber 16th, Saturday, 8:00 to 10:00 pm for an open house. You can take a tour of the observatory, participate in astronomical demonstrations and talk to astronomers.
🌌 If the skies are clear, we’ll have our telescopes ready for night sky observing. Engage with expert astronomers, and ask your burning questions – this event is perfect for anyone interested in the wonders of the night sky, whether you’re a seasoned astronomer or just starting out.
Admission is completely FREE and open to all. No registration required! Drop by to add a spark of celestial magic to your evening – ideal for a unique night out, a memorable date, or a family adventure.

Public Night: Mars Exploration
2025-01-18 19:00 - 21:00
🚀✨ Get Ready for Our First Public Night of 2025! ✨🚀
We’re kicking off the year with an out-of-this-world theme: Mars!
Just two days before our event, Mars will reach opposition—an alignment where Mars is directly opposite the Sun from Earth’s perspective. During this time, Mars will shine brighter and appear larger than usual, standing out as one of the brightest “stars” in the night sky.🌟
This fascinating event happens approximately every 26 months, and during this opposition, Mars will be an incredible sight to behold! If the skies are clear, telescopes will be set up during the public night for a unique opportunity to observe Mars. 🔭✨
Ananya Srivastava, PhD student in Planetary Sciences, whose research focuses on Mars will present highlights from past missions on Mars and share exciting insights about upcoming explorations. 🚀
🌟 Admission is FREE and open to everyone! No registration is required. Whether you’re looking for a unique night out, a memorable date, or an educational family adventure, this is your perfect chance to add a touch of celestial magic to your evening.
Check out our schedule for more upcoming events at: https://cronyn.uwo.ca/schedule/ For directions and parking information, visit: https://cronyn.uwo.ca/visit-the-observatory/directions-maps-and-parking/

We can’t wait to see you there!

Women in Astronomy Night
2025-02-08 17:00 - 20:00
Join us on February 8th, 2025, at Cronyn Observatory to celebrate Girls and Women in Astronomy.

This is an all-genders welcome public event on the occasion of International Day for women and girls in Science. Get a chance to hear from an expert panel about women in science, their journey and challenges, and everything related. It will be a fun-packed evening with Games, Trivia, and Stargazing (weather permitting).

Venue: Cronyn Observatory, Western University
Date: February 8th, 2025
Time: 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Public Night: Eclipses
2025-03-08 19:00 - 21:00
Cronyn Observatory will have its doors open on March 8th, Saturday, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm for an open house. You can take a tour of the observatory, participate in astronomical demonstrations and talk to astronomers.
🌌 If the skies are clear, we’ll have our telescopes ready for night sky observing. Engage with expert astronomers, and ask your burning questions – this event is perfect for anyone interested in the wonders of the night sky, whether you’re a seasoned astronomer or just starting out.
Admission is completely FREE and open to all. No registration required! Drop by to add a spark of celestial magic to your evening – ideal for a unique night out, a memorable date, or a family adventure.

Student Public night
2025-03-19 20:00 - 22:00
Our next Public Night will be on Wednesday, March 19th, from 8:00 to 10:00 PM. While these events are usually on Saturdays, this special midweek session is scheduled so students can stop by after class and enjoy some time exploring astronomy.
Visitors can tour the observatory, take part in astronomy demonstrations, and, if the weather allows, the highlight of the evening would be to observe the night sky through our telescopes.
This event is free and open to all—no registration needed, just drop in.
Hope to see you there!

Public Night: Stargazing 101
2025-04-12 19:00 - 21:00
Cronyn Observatory will have its doors open on April 12th, Saturday, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm for an open house. You can take a tour of the observatory, participate in astronomical demonstrations and talk to astronomers.
🌌 If the skies are clear, we’ll have our telescopes ready for night sky observing. Engage with expert astronomers, and ask your burning questions – this event is perfect for anyone interested in the wonders of the night sky, whether you’re a seasoned astronomer or just starting out.
Admission is completely FREE and open to all. No registration required! Drop by to add a spark of celestial magic to your evening – ideal for a unique night out, a memorable date, or a family adventure.

JWST's view on Star Formation
2025-05-03 20:30 - 23:00
During the public night at Cronyn, you’ll have a chance to hear from Astronomers – we will post the topic of the talk soon. You can participate in astronomy demos and tour the observatory. If the skies are clear, we’ll have our telescopes ready for night sky observing. Engage with expert astronomers and ask your burning questions – this event is perfect for anyone interested in the wonders of the night sky, whether you’re a seasoned astronomer or just starting out. Admission is completely FREE and open to all. No registration is required! Drop by to add a spark of celestial magic to your evening – ideal for a unique night out, a memorable date, or a family adventure.

Breathing, Burping, Bellowing, Blustering Black Holes
2025-05-10 20:30 - 23:00
We’re thrilled to bring you one of our most-requested public-night topics: black holes!
These cosmic enigmas bend space, time, and our imaginations. If you wanna learn more, or ask questions about black holes to an expert, your next chance is our public night on May 10th, 8:30 to 11:00 pm. Prof. Sarah Gallagher will share what astronomers know (and are still chasing) about black holes.
You’ll have a chance to tour the observatory and participate in astronomy demos, and if the skies are clear, we will keep our telescopes ready for night sky observation.
🌟 Whether you’re six or sixty, just bring curiosity—no background required. Admission is FREE and open to everyone, and no registration is required!
📅 Saturday, May 10th
🕣 8:30 PM – 11:00 PM
📍 Cronyn Observatory
Find directions and parking info here: https://cronyn.uwo.ca/visit-the-observatory/
We hope to see you there.

Meteor showers
2025-05-17 20:30 - 23:00
Meteors—often called “shooting stars”—aren’t stars at all but streaks of light created when tiny dust and sand-sized rocks burn up in Earth’s upper atmosphere.
On Saturday, May 17th, from 8:30 to 11:00 PM, Cronyn Observatory welcomes you to our summer public night, where we’ll explore the science of meteor showers. Why do different showers appear at different times of year? What distinguishes one shower from another? How can you spot the best displays? Prof. Margaret Campbell-Brown, an expert in meteor physics, will share her insights and answer your questions.
You’re invited to tour the observatory and, weather permitting, look through our telescopes. Talk with our astronomers, try hands-on demonstrations of meteor detection techniques, and learn how to make the most of these celestial events.
Admission is free and open to everyone—no registration required.
📅 Saturday, May 17 🕣 8:30 PM – 11:00 PM 📍 Cronyn Observatory
Find directions and parking information here: https://cronyn.uwo.ca/visit-the-observatory/
We look forward to sharing the wonder of meteors with you!

Dangers from asteroids
2025-05-24 20:30 - 23:00
During the public night at Cronyn, you’ll have a chance to hear about dangers from asteroids by Prof. Paul Wiegert. You can participate in astronomy demos and tour the observatory. If the skies are clear, we’ll have our telescopes ready for night sky observing. Engage with expert astronomers and ask your burning questions – this event is perfect for anyone interested in the wonders of the night sky, whether you’re a seasoned astronomer or just starting out. Admission is completely FREE and open to all. No registration is required! Drop by to add a spark of celestial magic to your evening – ideal for a unique night out, a memorable date, or a family adventure.

Public Night: A Cosmic Tango
2025-05-31 20:30 - 23:00
​​Get ready to explore the night sky with us! 🌙✨
Join the Cronyn Observatory community on Saturday, May 31, 2025, from 8:30–11:00 PM. No registration needed—just bring your curiosity!
🔭 Peer through our telescopes (weather permitting) and marvel at the Moon’s craters up close.
🪐 Take part in hands-on demos to see how astronomers hunt for distant planets and unravel the composition of the Universe.
🏛️ Walk through our historic 1940 observatory and learn its stories in a guided tour.
To kick things off, Rina Rast will share her latest research – “A Cosmic Tango: Hot Stars in Binary Systems”.

Admission is free and open to everyone.
Learn more & find parking details: https://cronyn.uwo.ca/visit-the-observatory/
Can’t wait to stargaze with you! 🚀
We hope to see you there!
