Upcoming and Past Events
Upcoming Events
TIFF – screening of Interstellar
- Aug 7th at 6:30PM
- Aug 9th at 4:00PM
- Aug 18th at 7:30PM.
Most recent Event
TIFF – Silver Screenings: The Right Stuff
July 24th, 2026 @ 12:00PM noon.
Why do we look up at the heavens.
April 23rd, 2026 @ 6:00PM.
Our speaker was Br. Guy Consolmagno, S.J., PhD President, Vatican Observatory Foundation.
Br. Guy is a Jesuit brother, astronomer, planetary scientist and Carl Sagan Medal recipient. Author of 200+ publications, his books include “Turn Left at Orion” and “Brother Astronomer”.
We were incredibly excited that he was able to present his talk at an in-person event held at the Fields Institute at 222 College St in Toronto.
To view the recording on YouTube please click here.
Past Events in 2023 Through 2026
The Power of Planetariums: Past, Present, and Future
Feb 25th, 2026 @ 7:00
A planetarium is far more than a space theatre that can show gorgeous images of the cosmos. It is a community hub, a place to connect with others and share a variety of experiences. It is a place to teach, to learn, and to feel inspired. A place to relax, a place to be excited, and a place to feel reverence for nature.
Join us as we explore Toronto’s connection to the planetarium world, through the eyes of those who have been there since the early days, and who hope to see a brighter future for science communication in the city.
To view the recording on YouTube please click here.
A New, Very High and Dry Eye on the Cosmos
Nov 25nd, 2025 @ 7:00
Please join this Space Place Canada webinar during which Mike Fich will introduce us to the Fred Young Submillimeter Telescope (FYST).
Canadian astronomers, through a proposal led by Mike Fich, partnered with others in the U.S. and Germany, are building a submillimeter-wavelength survey telescope in the mountains of Chile. The Fred Young Submillimeter Telescope (FYST) is 6 metres in diameter within an “eyeball” of unique design providing a very wide field of view. This will let it survey the entire sky in many different ways every night. This is the first project of the CCAT Observatory, located at the highest and driest site in the world. Find out why, in this case, “high and dry” is a really good thing even if really hard to do.
To view the recording on YouTube please click here.
The 2nd Quantum Revolution in Space
Jan 22nd, 2025 @ 7:00
“Quantum” is a buzzword we hear a lot these days. The UN has proclaimed 2025 “The International Year of Quantum Science and Technology”. But what does it mean and what impact will it have across industries, including space? So kick off the new year with Space Place Canada and speakers A.J. Sikora and Dr. Katanya Kuntz of Qubo Consulting to learn about this topic in an approachable and non-technical way. They will discuss the basics of quantum technology and how this revolutionary and disruptive technology is being applied in the space industry.
To view the recording on YouTube please click here.
Long distance healthcare: Delivering medical services in space and on Earth
Apr 2nd, 2024 @ 7:00
It’s not easy to get health care in space should you get sick or injured. It can take days or weeks or even months to get to health care. It’s similar if you’re located remotely here on earth.
Dealing with this problem for both space travellers and remote residents on Earth has some surprising parallels, meaning that some technology solutions for one can be shared with the other. As with so many things developed for space, they can have benefits to those of us down here on earth.
To view the recording on YouTube please click here.
Darkness & Light: Tips for the April 8 Eclipse
Mar 26th, 2024 @ 7:00
Get ready for the upcoming solar eclipse with Space Place Canada! Before you cast your eyes upward for this incredible celestial event (with appropriate safety glasses in place!) join us to hear from our expert speakers, who will share practical eclipse viewing safety tips and past eclipse travel experiences to help us prepare..
To view the recording on YouTube please click here.
Astronomy from the Stratosphere: Balloon-borne Telescopes
Feb 13th, 2024 @ 7:00
Space Place Canada would like to invite you to another exciting presentation, this time combining both astronomy and space tech! PhD candidate Emaad Paracha will introduce us to SuperBIT which was a 0.5 m balloon-borne telescope that flew from New Zealand in April 2023 for a 40-day flight , circling the globe five and a half times.
To view the recording on YouTube please click here.
What Goes Up … Debrief with Launch Canada
Nov 15th, 2023 @ 7:00
Join us for a virtual panel discussion with Launch Canada, the organization at the forefront of Canada’s rocketry movement. We will explore the exciting world of rockets but also about how the Launch Canada event is helping to build a community that is passionate about innovation, diversity and Canadian excellence. Learn how this past summer’s rocket competition went and find out about plans for next year.
To view the recording on YouTube please click here.
2024 Eastern NA Eclipse
Oct 3rd, 2023 @ 7:00
On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will traverse a large swathe of North America. On October 14, 2023, a partial, annular solar eclipse will be visible to millions across North, Central and South America. Are you ready to view these awe-inspiring events? Join us to hear from our speakers on topics ranging from practical eclipse tips to the cultural interpretations of these amazing astronomical events through the ages and prepare for these exciting sky spectacles.
To view the recording on YouTube please click here.
Blast Off with Launch Canada: A Chat About the Upcoming Rocket Competition
Aug 17, 2023 @ 7:00
Join us for a thrilling and inspirational virtual panel discussion with Launch Canada, the organization at the forefront of Canada’s rocketry movement.
To view the recording on YouTube please click here.
From Scorpius to Cygnus: What’s Up in the Summer Sky?
June 8, 2023 @ 7:00
Get ready for summer stargazing! Join Space Place Canada to hear from experts on how to enjoy the skies this summer.
A Rocket Scientist’s Guide to Mapping Asteroids.
April 20, 2023 @ 7:00
This virtual event will give you an overview of the scanning laser altimeter that helped map the asteroid Bennu for the OSIRIS-REx mission.
Join us for this fascinating talk by Dr Cameron Dickinson, Space Exploration Scientist / Technical Lead, MDA.
To view the recording on YouTube, please click here.
Sky Cultures and Knowledges
Mar 7th, 2023 @ 7:00PM
This virtual event will offer the opportunity for anyone interested in the world’s sky cultures and stories to learn about this project and hear from a panel of experts on the theme of storytelling and astronomy.
Some useful links from the presentations:
- Stellarium.org: Free, open source planetarium software
- https://multiverse.ssl.berkeley.
edu/multicultural - https://astrosociety.org/file_
download/inline/eb3601be-
8e70-4f11-8e12-3c8c5b52e66a
To view the recording on our YouTube channel, please click here.
Opportunities in Space: Lunar Gateway, Canadarm3 and Beyond
Mar 2nd, 2023 @ 4:00PM
A Presentation of Space Place Planetarium Canada and the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)
Get on board the new Canadian space economy. What is happening? What are the commercial, research and career opportunities? What are the pathways to participate?
To view the recording on our YouTube channel, please click here.
Other Past Events
The Future of Canadian Aerospace: A conversation with scientists
Nov 24th, 2022 at 7:30PM
Meet established and upcoming aerospace professionals as they chat with Space Place Director, Wintta Ghebreiyesus. Learn more about what Canada is doing in space and what it could be doing in the near future. Join us for a discussion on STEM opportunities for youth and career pathways.
To view the recording on our YouTube channel, please click here.
NASA’s Largest & Loudest Test Chamber
Oct 13th, 2022 at 7:30PM
We are delighted that Professor Ramani Ramakrishnan, former NASA chief acoustician, will explore the design details of NASA’s Largest and Loudest reverberation test chamber.
To view the recording on our YouTube channel, please click here.
Canadarm and Collaboration with Elizabeth Howell
May 19th, 2022 at 7:30PM
Celebrate that iconic piece of space hardware, the Canadarm, with Elizabeth Howell, co-author of Canadarm and Collaboration: How Canada’s Astronauts and Space Robots Explore New Worlds.
To view the recording on our YouTube channel, please click here.
Lunar Exploration: Past, Present, and Future with Dr. Sara Mazrouei
May 15th, 2022
Take a trip to the Moon with planetary scientist, Dr. Sara Mazrouei. Learn how to observe the lunar eclipse that occurs later that evening.
The recording is available to attendees and Space Place Canada members only. Please contact us.
Tour of the Allan Carswell Observatory
March 9th, 2022 @ 7:30PM
Join us on an exclusive tour of the Allan I Carswell Observatory at York University. Hosted by current Observatory Director Dr. Elaina Hyde, former Observatory Director Paul Delaney, and members of the all-student staff, get a glimpse of the behind-the-scenes operations of the largest telescope at a Canadian university! Live images taken by the telescope will be shared during the tour if the weather permits.
To view the recording on YouTube, please click here.
Celestial Pursuit
Feb 23rd, 2022
Join RCIScience, the Allan I. Carswell Observatory and Space Place Canada for astronomy games and quizzes. Play alongside our expert contestants as they compete for bragging rights and you compete for prizes (and fun)!!
To view the recording on YouTube, please click here.
From Canada to the Moon
Nov 18th, 2021
On this eve of a partial lunar eclipse, join us to explore our closest celestial neighbour. Learn how to view the partial eclipse, then, stay with us and take a virtual tour of one of Canada’s premier astronomy outreach facilities, the Trottier Observatory at Simon Fraser University including a visit with the architect who designed it.
To view the recording on YouTube, please click here.
Canada in Orbit: The Business of Space
July 7th, 2021
Space was, at one time, the sole domain of national governments. Increasingly, private investment, including publicly traded companies, are joining the rush to orbit. We will explore this new frontier and discuss how private investment can work alongside the government to boost Canadian space-based projects.
To view the recording on YouTube, please click here.
Down to Earth – Benefits of Canadian Space Technology
May 25, 2021
A panel discussion exploring how made-in-Canada space technology enables research, grows our economy and benefits society down here on Earth. Featuring MDA, GHGSat and Kepler Communications – 3 Canadian space success stories.
To view the recording on YouTube, please click here.
Canada and the Final Frontier
Part I
Nov 26, 2020
Join us as noted Canadian Space enthusiast and historian, Randy Attwood, tells us about Canada’s remarkable first steps into space!
To view the recording on YouTube, please click here.
Part II – Looking Forward
Dec 10, 2020
In this second part of our series, Canada & the Final Frontier, we explore what the future holds for Canada in Space. Whether it’s moonshots, microsats or missions to Mars, the Great White North is set to make a big contribution to the global future in space.
To view the recording on YouTube, please click here.