cronyn.uwo.ca

Summer Public Night
2026-05-02 20:30 - 23:00, 2026-06-27 20:30 - 23:00, 2026-07-04 20:30 - 23:00, 2026-07-11 20:30 - 23:00, 2026-07-18 20:30 - 23:00, 2026-07-25 20:30 - 23:00, 2026-08-15 20:30 - 23:00, 2026-08-22 20:30 - 23:00 (America/Toronto) and 1 more date
Join us for a public night at Cronyn Observatory! These free, drop-in events welcome curious minds of all ages to explore astronomy in a fun, relaxed setting. Each night features a talk by a guest speaker on fascinating topics from planets and stars to space missions and cosmic mysteries. Get hands-on with interactive astronomy demonstrations and explore the Observatory’s rich history as you wander through this historic building. When the skies cooperate, we’ll have our telescopes ready for you to observe the night sky and see celestial wonders up close. Our friendly astronomers are eager to share their passion for space and answer all your questions. Whether you’re a lifelong stargazer, bringing the family for a unique evening out, or simply curious about the universe, you’re welcome here. No registration needed – just show up and let the adventure begin!

Science Rendezvous
2026-05-09 20:30 - 23:00
🔭 We’re heading to Science Rendezvous on May 9th — come find us!
If you’ve ever wondered what the Sun actually looks like up close, or how scientists can tell what a star is made of just from its light, this is your chance to find out in person.
We’ll be at Thompson Arena from noon to 6 pm as part of Western’s free annual science festival — 42 booths, all free, all open to anyone curious enough to show up.
At our “Starlight Detective” booth, you can:

See how infrared reveals what your eyes can’t see
Try a hands-on demo of how astronomers “read” light to understand the universe
Get a feel for the magnification power of a telescope

If the weather cooperates, we’ll also have solar telescopes set up outside so you can see the Sun safely.
Then at 8:30 pm, the night continues at Cronyn Observatory for our regular public night — a talk on “Astronomy Ignited: Things That Go Boom in the Universe”, a tour of the observatory, and a look through our telescopes into the night sky.
📅 May 9th, 2026 🕛 12:00 – 6:00 pm — Thompson Arena 🕣 8:30 – 11:00 pm — Cronyn Observatory (A 3-minute walk between venues)
Free. No registration. Just show up. More info: https://www.sciencerendezvous-western.ca

Summer Public Night - Visiting Black Holes
2026-05-16 20:30 - 23:00

Summer Public Night - The Infrared View: What the Universe Doesn't Want You to See
2026-05-23 20:30 - 23:00

Summer Public Night - X-ray Astronomy
2026-05-30 20:30 - 23:00

Summer Public Night - Sporadic meteoroids and their risk in space
2026-06-06 20:30 - 23:00
Every day, Earth is bombarded by countless tiny fragments of asteroids and comets, but what happens when these meteoroids pose a threat to spacecraft and astronauts? Join us on Saturday, June 6th, as Max Vovk explores the world of sporadic meteoroids, the unpredictable tiny particles that zip through our solar system. Learn where they come from, how we detect and track them, and why understanding their risk is crucial for the safety of satellites, space missions, and the people who travel beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
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 for a unique evening under the stars – ideal for families, students, seasoned stargazers, and anyone curious about the universe.
Venue: Cronyn Observatory, Western University
Date: Saturday, June 6th
Time: 8:30 to 11:00 pm
Check out our summer schedule: https://cronyn.uwo.ca/schedule/
We hope to see you there!

Star Formation as revealed by the most powerful telescope
2026-06-13 20:30 - 23:00
Since its first images in 2022, the James Webb Space Telescope has transformed our view of the universe – and some of its most breathtaking discoveries have come from peering into the hearts of stellar nurseries where new stars are born. Join us on Saturday, June 13th, as Prof. Els Peeters shares how JWST is revolutionizing our understanding of star formation. Discover what this extraordinary telescope is revealing about the gas, dust, and chemistry within these stellar nurseries, and what these findings tell us about the origins of stars and planetary systems like our own. 🌟
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 for a unique evening under the stars – ideal for families, students, seasoned stargazers, and anyone curious about the universe.
Venue: Cronyn Observatory, Western University
Date: Saturday, June 13th
Time: 8:30 to 11:00 pm
Check out our summer schedule: https://cronyn.uwo.ca/schedule/
We hope to see you there!

Summer Public Night - Lessons Learned from Balloon Launch
2026-06-20 20:30 - 23:00
You’re invited to the next public night at Cronyn Observatory!
What does it take to launch an infrared camera 33 kilometres into the stratosphere? Join us on Saturday, June 20th, as Prof. Stan Metchev shares the story behind the balloon launch attempt at the Canadian Space Agency’s balloon base in Timmins. The goal of the experiment was to test equipment that could be used in future missions to detect Earth-like planets in our galaxy. Hear firsthand about the challenges of the mission and what lessons they’re taking forward as they work toward a future low-cost space mission
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 for a unique evening under the stars – ideal for families, students, seasoned stargazers, and anyone curious about the universe.
Venue: Cronyn Observatory, Western University
Date: Saturday, June 20th
Time: 8:30 to 11:00 pm
Check out our summer schedule: https://cronyn.uwo.ca/schedule/
We hope to see you there!

Summer Public Night - Brown Dwarfs: Failed Stars or Overachieving Planets
2026-08-01 20:30 - 23:00

Summer Public Night - Space Debris Re-entries: The Consequences of Expanding our Littering to Space
2026-08-08 20:30 - 23:00
