Event Date: Friday, March 3, 7:30 - 9:30 PM ET

A Camera for the Dark Universe - Presented by Dr. Junwu Huang

RASC DDO and the David Dunlab Observatory

Friday, March 3, 7:30 - 9:30 PM ET, in person at the David Dunlap Observatory

Visit a unique historical site in Richmond Hill and experience an engaging presentation led by experts and researchers in astronomy, covering a variety of exciting astronomy topics. After the presentation, participants will tour the observatory and see a demonstration of the 74” telescope pointed to an interesting celestial object for the visitors to view (weather-dependent). Please wear / bring appropriate supplies for being outside. A registered adult must accompany all registered participants under the age of 16. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the program start time in order to be signed in. This program runs rain or shine.

https://anc.ca.apm.activecommunities.com/richmondhill/activity/search/detail/81496?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true

Dr. Huang will discuss the evidence for the existence of dark matter in our Universe, and how to design a detector to look for dark matter. He will first describe some of the strongest evidence for the existence of dark matter in our Universe, and what this evidence tells us about the properties of dark matter particles. He will then discuss why searching for dark matter is difficult and how one would design a dark matter experiment that can be sensitive. He will illustrate in more detail with a particular detector that resembles a camera, and how this device allows us to turn dark matter particles into a photon.

Dr. Huang obtained a Bachelor degree from Peking University in 2012 and PhD from Stanford University in 2017. He has since moved to Perimeter Institute, initially as a postdoc from 2017-2020 and then as a faculty member since 2020.

Event Date: Sunday, March 5, 2:30-4:00 PM EST (additional session at 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM if the other is full)

Planetarium Day

RASC DDO and the David Dunlap Observatory

Sunday, March 5, 2:30-4:00 PM EST (additional session at 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM if the other is full), in person at the David Dunlap Observatory

Enter a Digital Portable Planetarium and take a journey through the universe led by a DDO astronomer. We’ll tour the night sky, travel through space, and see immersive full dome movies. The unscripted format will allow guests to experience a variety of topics. Ask our astronomer questions and see the answers in a planetarium setting. Please note that all guests will sit on a clean floor. A registered adult must accompany all registered participants under the age of 16.

https://anc.ca.apm.activecommunities.com/richmondhill/activity/search/detail/81969?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true

https://anc.ca.apm.activecommunities.com/richmondhill/activity/search/detail/85215?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true

Event Date: Saturday, March 11, 2:00 - 4:00 PM EST

Space Action: Craters and Comets!

RASC DDO and the David Dunlap Institute

Saturday, March 11, 2:00 - 4:00 PM EST, in person at the David Dunlap Observatory

This March Break, join the David Dunlap Observatory to explore some of the dynamic action of space through comets, craters, and more! Participants will learn about comet composition and impact craters through interactive demonstrations. They will create and name their own crater and leave with a map of the moon’s craters and other features. Materials will be provided. Parent participation is required.

https://anc.ca.apm.activecommunities.com/richmondhill/activity/search/detail/81631?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true

Date and time: Monday, March 13, Noon - 2:00 PM ET

Sun Fun!

RASC DDO and the David Dunlap Observatory

Monday, March 13, Noon - 2:00 PM ET, in person at the David Dunlap Observatory

This March Break, learn about the sun and practice safe solar observing! Join the David Dunlap Observatory Astronomers for an interactive session where participants will see live and pre-recorded telescope views of the solar surface, learn about our nearest star, and practice safe solar observing by making their own pinhole projector. Please bring an empty cereal box for the craft. This program runs rain or shine and may include solar observing time outdoors (weather permitting), so please wear appropriate attire. Parent participation is required.

https://anc.ca.apm.activecommunities.com/richmondhill/activity/search/detail/81626?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true

Date and time: Thursday, March 16, Noon - 2:30 PM ET, in person at the David Dunlap Observatory

Out of This World: The Solar System

RASC DDO and the David Dunlap Observatory

Thursday, March 16, Noon - 2:30 PM ET, in person at the David Dunlap Observatory

The Solar System with all its planets, moons, and asteroids are all around us -- even in your own home! This March Break, join the David Dunlap Observatory as we give a tour of our Solar System and share fun stories about each planetary body in our cosmic neighbourhood. Participants will get the chance to paint and design their own planets. Materials will be provided. This program runs rain or shine and may include an outdoor solar system walk (weather permitting), so please wear appropriate attire. Parent participation is required.

https://anc.ca.apm.activecommunities.com/richmondhill/activity/search/detail/81630?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true

Stellarium intermediate course (ONLINE)

Thursday 23March 2023

7:00 PM to 9:00 PM Eastern time (note the time zone!)

Stellarium is a powerful planetarium application available for Windows, Macintosh, and Linux computers.

Participants will learn how to load additional catalogues, customise the application including setting up specific locations, load new comets, modify the toolbar, choose landscape textures, use stepping zooming, copy object information, configure eyepiece and camera views, and slew a telescope mount to a target. This will provide an amateur astronomer a deeper understanding of the Stellarium program.

FOR MEMBERS ONLY.

Class sizes are limited. A waiting list is maintained for when courses are full.

https://rasc.ca/stellarium-level-2

Part of the Stellarium Training Series.

https://rasc.ca/stellarium-training

Who can attend: active RASC members
Fee: Free
Registration: Required
Organized by: RASC national office

Date and time: Sunday, March 26, 12:30 - 1:00 PM ET, online

Sunday Stargazing

RASC DDO and the David Dunlap Institute

Sunday, March 26, 12:30 - 1:00 PM ET, online

Safely observe the sun with us, from the comfort of your home! During these family-friendly sessions, a DDO Astronomer will answer your questions about our closest star: the sun! Learn how the sun works and how it affects our home planet. Live-streamed views of the sun through small telescopes will be included, weather permitting. Only one registration per household is required. Deadline to register for this program is Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at 3p.m. Prior to the start of the program you will be emailed information on the virtual program links and any specific information relating to your program.

https://anc.ca.apm.activecommunities.com/richmondhill/activity/search/detail/81514?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true