Join the Dunlap Institute on the evening of Sunday, September 27, 2015 to watch the total lunar eclipse. You won’t get another chance to see this spectacular celestial phenomenon until 2019. Even better, this year’s eclipse is special because it’s taking place during a “supermoon”, when the Moon is about as close to Earth as it gets. During this time, the Moon will appear subtly larger than normal. This event is FREE but we request that guests RSVP on our Facebook Event Page.

From the earliest days of the first hominids and through the epochs into the 21st century, mankind has held a deep fascination with the night sky. In today’s technological society, massive mountaintop observatories and high-tech space telescopes are at the forefront of astronomical research, but an ever-growing group of individuals continue to peer up from dark fields, secluded parks and their own backyards in the quest to explore and understand the universe.

What star is that? How can I spot Orion’s Belt? How many planets can I see without a telescope? Learn your way around the night sky. The Riverwood Conservancy, The Earthshine Astronomy and Space Science Organization and the Mississauga Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada are teaming up to offer a 4-week course on astronomy. Upon completion the student will be able to identify the brighter stars and constellations.

Speaker: Christa Van Laerhoven The planets didn’t start off where they are now. We know this from looking at the small things: the asteroids, comets, and Kuiper Belt objects. The movements of the planets leaves its fingerprint on how these small bodies are distributed. Indeed, the small bodies are a better tracer of planet migration than the planets are. This talk will include an overview of the formation and migration of planets in the solar system, including the “Grand Tack” and “Nice Model.” It will also touch on how the planets might move in the future.

Chris Hadfield is back with something completely new: Generator. Blending the line between education and entertainment, Generator will bring together scientists, musicians, comedians and more to deliver an energetic evening of organized chaos. Some of the names you’ll know by heart, others you’ll come to love. Chris Hadfield’s Generator is exploration through the eyes of explorers. From the caverns of the mind to the endless universe, we’re here to celebrate the journey that is one step further.

Showtimes: 7:00pm, 8:00pm, and 9:00pm For thousands of years, humans have studied the heavens from the confines of the Earth.  In the last century, however, we have begun sending both people and machines to other worlds. Where have we gone, and what discoveries have we made? This planetarium show will delve into the history of space exploration, from the first tentative steps made during the Space Race to the first-ever flyby of Pluto by the New Horizons spacecraft.

The Riverwood Conservancy and the City of Mississauga are pleased to present “Our Night Sky”, a new show for young audiences of all ages, created and performed by the Chamber Music Society of Mississauga (CMSM). This free admission, Preview Performance, is scheduled for Monday, August 31, rain or shine, beginning at 8 pm in the Riverwood Barn. Bring your own lawn chairs.

What we can see in the universe represents only the tip of the iceberg of what's out there. Dr. Sean Tulin (York University, Department of Physics & Astronomy) discusses the physics of the dark side: dark matter, dark energy, and—perhaps—dark forces that guide the past, present and future of our universe. The Science of Science Fiction series is presented in collaboration with York University's Faculty of Science.

Built up your thirst for more astronomy!? Great! Because on Thursday, August 20th, astronomers from the University of Toronto will be back at the Tranzac Club for another fun evening of pints, mind-expanding talks, games and prizes. Plus, following all the talks and games, there'll be plenty of time and plenty of astronomers around to answer all your cosmic questions.

Speaker: Jamil Shariff