Get an up-close and personal take on the Gravitational Waves discovery that has changed science for the better. Considered the most influential discovery of the century, gravitational wave GW150914 broke records in physics, astronomy, and interferometry - with still more to come. We will talk about what went into the Laser Interferometer Gravitational wave Observatory (LIGO) that discovered GW150914 from theoretical, engineering, and computer simulation viewpoints, and discuss the outlooks on the future of gravitational wave astronomy.

Solar System Social (@SolarSystemTO) is a space-themed speaker series that brings exciting ideas and research from the field of planetary science to the general public in the form of short, informative, and interesting talks that last about 20 minutes each.

Speaker: Dr. Jill Tarter, Bernard Oliver Chair, SETI Institute Are we alone in the universe? Is there intelligent life in space? Humans have been asking these questions throughout history. We want to know where we came from, how we fit into the cosmos and where we are going. Searching for life beyond Earth may not only result in contact, but could also lead to a better understanding ourselves. What will life in the future look like?

Everyone is invited to join us and Durham Skies on September 30 for stargazing at the edge of Lake Ontario. Take a free look through different kinds of telescopes to get close-up views of craters on the Moon and spectacular Saturn and its rings! Learn the names of the stars of autumn and the constellation patterns they form. Peer deep into space and try your hand at spotting faint star clusters and nebulae. You can even bring your own telescope along and we'll give you advice on how to use it better.

Watch the live stream of Matt Russo's talk “Harmony of the Rings” at 8:00pm https://www.youtube.com/c/SYSTEMSounds

Join the Yukon Centre with special guest Dr. Phil Plait from 10:00pm–midnight (EDT). Come discover the mysteries of our northern skies and what can be seen when the northern lights can’t. Impress your guests with interpretation of the northern lights and wow them with your knowledge of what lies beyond.

Dark matter is puzzling. We can't see or touch it, but we believe it makes up about 85% of the matter in the Universe. Canadian astronomers are at the forefront of the search for the true nature of this elusive substance. Join us on Monday, October 23rd for an evening of fascinating talks in celebration of Dark Matter Day. From the first evidence for dark matter in distant galaxies to cutting-edge tools for detecting dark matter right here on Earth, this is your chance to find out what dark matter is, why it matters, and how we'll find it.

We’ve created a research lab in space. But can man really live beyond Earth’s orbit? Astronauts provide a unique perspective on both the challenges of living in a microgravity environment and the opportunities of human space missions. What are the extreme challenges of a long-term spaceflight on the body and psyche? Is there such a thing as a space gene? Does  Mars hold the key to life in space?

Everyone is invited to join us and Durham Skies on October 28 for stargazing at the edge of Lake Ontario. Take a free look through different kinds of telescopes to get close-up views of craters on the Moon and distant planets Uranus and Neptune! Learn the names of the stars of autumn and the constellation patterns they form. Peer deep into space and try your hand at spotting faint star clusters and nebulae.

Cosmichronos is an exhibition of new images from photographer Nathan Cyprys, exploring the cosmic perspective as it relates to humanity. Capturing light from distant stars, documenting SETI researchers and visiting a meteor impact site, this work bridges Cyprys’ arts-based and documentary approach. Contrasting the mysticism of human existence with the pragmatism of the scientific method, Cyprys implores his viewer to consider deep time on the cosmic scale.