Public night: Jupiter and its moons
2024-11-16 20:00 - 22:00 (America/Toronto)
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!

Northern Lights
2025-06-07 20:30 - 23:00
During the public night at Cronyn, you’ll have a chance to hear about Northern Lights. 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.

Visiting a Black Hole
2025-06-14 20:30 - 23:00
During the public night at Cronyn, you’ll have a chance to hear about “Visiting a Black Hole”. 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.

Exoplanets
2025-06-21 20:30 - 23:00
During the public night at Cronyn, you’ll have a chance to hear about Exoplanets. 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.

Telescopes: Eyes of Astronomy
2025-06-28 20:30 - 23:00
Join us at Cronyn Observatory for Public Night on Saturday, June 28, 2025, from 8:30 – 11:00 pm!
🔭 Explore our historic dome and take a guided tour of the facility.
🌠 Peer through our telescopes (weather permitting) and discover distant stars, planets, and more.
❓ Bring your questions—our astronomy team will be on hand to share their passion for the cosmos.
You’re invited to grab a seat from 8:30–9:00 pm for a presentation by Hannah Christie, astronomy grad student. She’ll walk you through why we need different telescopes, how they work, and the unique cosmic insights they deliver
Admission is free, and no registration is required. All are welcome!
📍 Directions & parking info: https://cronyn.uwo.ca/visit-the-observatory/
We look forward to seeing you there!

Image Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Chris Willott (NRC-Canada), Lamiya Mowla (Wellesley College), Kartheik Iyer (Columbia) and NRAO/AUI/NSF

Black Hole Triplets
2025-07-05 20:30 - 23:00
During the public night at Cronyn, you’ll have a chance to hear about “Black Hole Triplets”. 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.

Unconventional Astronomy: Using seismic data to study our universe
2025-07-12 20:30 - 23:00
During the public night at Cronyn, you’ll have a chance to hear about “Unconventional Astronomy: Using seismic data to study our universe”. 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.

Stellar Occultations: Detecting the shadows of dark comets
2025-07-19 20:30 - 23:00
During the public night at Cronyn, you’ll have a chance to hear about “Stellar Occultations: Detecting the shadows of dark comets”. 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.

How Generosity Created the Universe's Fastest Spinning Star
2025-07-26 20:30 - 23:00
During the public night at Cronyn, you’ll have a chance to hear about “How Generosity Created the Universe’s Fastest Spinning Star”. 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.

Molecules in Space
2025-08-02 20:30 - 23:00
During the public night at Cronyn, you’ll have a chance to hear about molecules in space. 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.

Brighter than the Sun: Fireballs in Earth’s Atmosphere
2025-08-09 20:30 - 23:00
During the public night at Cronyn, you’ll have a chance to hear from Ian Chow about “Brighter than the Sun: Fireballs in Earth’s Atmosphere”. 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.

From Dust to Planets: The Birth of Solar Systems
2025-08-16 20:30 - 23:00
During the public night at Cronyn, you’ll have a chance to hear about “From Dust to Planets: The Birth of Solar Systems”. 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.

The Moon
2025-08-23 20:30 - 23:00
During the public night at Cronyn, you’ll have a chance to hear about the Moon. 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.

Gravity is Geometry: Einstein's Theories of Relativity
2025-08-30 20:30 - 23:00
During the public night at Cronyn, you’ll have a chance to hear about “Gravity is Geometry: Einstein’s Theories of Relativity”. 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: Saturn
2025-09-20 20:00 - 22:00
You’re invited to the next public night at Cronyn Observatory!
Saturn reaches opposition this weekend (Sep 20-21) – the time when Earth passes directly between the Sun and Saturn, bringing this ringed giant closer to us and making it appear at its brightest. Join us on Sep 20, 8:00 to 10:00 pm as Samantha Lambier explores Saturn and its fascinating moons, explaining what opposition means for stargazers and sharing discoveries about this iconic planet and its satellites like Titan and Enceladus. 🪐
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.
Venue: Cronyn Observatory, Western University
Date: Sep 20
Time: 8:00 to 10:00 pm
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 hope to see you there for an unforgettable night under the stars!

International Observe The Moon Night
2025-10-04 14:00 - 22:00
On October 4th, the Cronyn Observatory is organizing the International Observe The Moon Night (https://moon.nasa.gov/observe-the-moon-night/), a worldwide astronomy event focused on the Moon! We will have an afternoon event from 2:00 to 5:00pm, aimed at kids and families, and a regular public night from 7:00 to 10:00pm, with two talks on the Moon by Peter Jedicke and Jack Lopes.

In the afternoon (2:00 to 5:00pm), we will have three activities:

Moon Mythbusters: Kids have to put their detective hats on and solve puzzles to figure out which Moon facts are true and which are myths.

Crater Making Activity: Kids create their own moon craters using flour and chocolate powder. Watch as rocks simulate the impact and formation of craters!

Moon Meteorites: Kids get up close and personal with real Moon rocks and learn about their origins.

In addition, we will have solar observing on the deck (weather permitting), a demo about the relative size and scale of the Moon in the Black Room, and the Period Rooms and the dome will be open.

For the evening part, the organization will be the same as a regular public night.

85th Anniversary of the Cronyn Observatory
2025-10-25 20:00 - 22:00
Cronyn Observatory was built on October 25th, 1940, marking this year as the 85th anniversary. Join us for the celebration and learn about the history and role of the observatory in the Western University community and for the general public of London, Ontario.

How Spectroscopy unlocks the Secrets of the Universe
2025-11-15 20:00 - 22:00
You’re invited to the next public night at Cronyn Observatory!
Ever wonder how astronomers figure out what universe made up of? Join us on Saturday, November 15th as Sam Barber reveals the secrets of spectroscopy – the powerful technique that lets us decode the light from distant cosmic objects, revealing the composition, temperature, motion, and chemistry of objects across the cosmos. 🌈
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.
Venue: Cronyn Observatory, Western University
Date: Saturday, November 15th
Time: 8:00 to 10:00 pm
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 hope to see you there!

Student Public Night
2025-11-20 18:00 - 21:00
While public nights 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!

Supernovae
2025-12-06 20:00 - 22:00
Come join us for our public night! You’ll have a chance to dive into the Science of Supernovae with an engaging talk by our expert astronomer.
🌌 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.
