With Alanna Mitchell, acclaimed science journalist, author and contributor to CBC Radio’s Quirks & Quarks.

Magnetars are some of the most extreme objects in the known universe. Though small in size, they possess the strongest magnetic fields in the universe and are the densest objects known. In this talk, we’ll go over the incredible behaviour seen in these rare objects — from tiny explosions to outshining the rest of the X-ray sky combined.

This is the 15th Annual Symposium organized by ASX and this year's theme is: "Into the Unknown: The Future of Space Exploration"

As light pollution impacts the abilities of amateur astronomers to view with their telescopes anything faint in cities or the suburbs, they are forced to drive greater distances to reach dark sites. But what if it were possible to observe faint deep sky objects from the heart of the city or suburb light domes? This presentation will show how astro-video technologies can take you beyond the ordinary eyepiece views in light-polluted skies.

Dr. Laura Parker will give an overview of the techniques used to map the universe on the largest scales, which have enabled us to measure dark energy and dark matter.

Quench your thirst for astronomy! On Friday, February 9, at The Great Hall! It'll be another fun evening of pints, astronomy news, mind-expanding talks, games, prizes, and Dunlap merchandise for sale! Plus, following all the talks, there will be plenty of time for you to have all your cosmic questions answered by astronomers from the University of Toronto.

Join us February 11 for special programming to mark International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Science is critical to addressing social and environmental challenges – it provides a framework to help us understand the world around us. And yet, according to the 2015 UNESCO Science Report, women account for only 28% of researchers across the world, and are even less represented at the higher echelons of decision-making. Women are interested and capable in STEM, so why such underrepresentation? Largely because of persisting gender stereotypes and biases.

Astronomers peer back into the past with the world's largest telescopes. They see billions of galaxies, and they find indications of evolution and youth. Before the first galaxies, there were the Dark Ages. And before then, the Big Bang. But there is much of the universe that astronomers cannot probe. Prof Silk will describe the universe that we see, and speculate about the universe we cannot see.

WPSE 2018 is an opportunity for scientists and engineers to showcase their recent findings in the field of planetary science and exploration. The event highlights the achievements of women and non-binary researchers, while offering an opportunity to discuss, challenge, network, and support their peers. Supporting #WomenInSTEM is the prime goal of this event.

The RASC - Toronto Centre will be an active participant at the annual Winter WonderLearn held in Courtice. Indoors, we will talk astronomy to visiting families, show young astronomers how to use planispheres, distribute literature and, weather permitting, show the sun with our solar scopes outside. This Family Day, your family can enjoy a free day of fun at a festival designed to get you active, learn something new, and enjoy time together!