PORTABLE PLANETARIUM
View the night sky, hear stories, travel to other planets, and journey through the Universe in our Starlab Digital Planetarium.
PRESENTATIONS
Our daytime and evening experiences, and classroom presentations, are tailored to the learning level. Concepts are explained with easy-to-grasp language.
‘SKYLIGHTS’ NEWSLETTER
Our free weekly newsletter is written for non-astronomers and is always family-friendly. Learn about what’s in the night sky and upcoming local events!
SCIENCE OUTREACH SPECIALISTS
AstroGeo specializes in education and public outreach
in Simcoe and Grey Counties, with an emphasis on Astronomy and Earth Science
Through AstroGeo, schools, camps, and corporate or private groups can book a visit from our state-of-the-art Digital Starlab Planetarium – for fun, or to engage in our scientist-led educational programs. Classroom presentations, teacher support, daytime safe sun observing, and evening star parties are also available.
What we offer
All AstroGeo experiences may be supplemented with specially designed Educational Programs and hands-on activities led by trained scientists and linked to the Ontario elementary and secondary school curriculum.
Starlab Digital Planetarium
Enter our Starlab Digital Planetarium and take an interactive journey through the Universe, led by award-winning astronomer Chris Vaughan.
Our presentations can focus on a particular theme or topic, or use a Q and A format.
The Starlab planetarium can hold up to 40 persons. Programs are suitable for ages 3 and older. The Starlab is wheelchair accessible.
Observatory Tours
Through AstroGeo, school groups, camps, clubs, corporate teams, and private individuals can book a visit and tour of historic and interesting observatories in southern Ontario. Daytime visitors can observe the Sun safely in our H-alpha telescopes, while evening visitors will explore the night sky through the observatory telescope and our smaller telescopes (weather permitting).
Star Parties
Our astronomer will work with you to schedule your star party at the best time, and bring to your location professional-grade telescopes to show visitors the best available night-time sights. Guests can safely view the sun during our daytime sessions.
Each star party includes a tour of the sky with a star-pointer, stories and information about interesting objects, answers to questions, and assistance with guests’ own equipment. Observing can be re-scheduled due to poor weather.
Classroom Presentations & Support
An AstroGeo astronomer or earth scientist can schedule a daytime visit to your school or camp and present on a variety of topics using easy-to-grasp language. All of our programs are an excellent way to introduce a unit, or to reinforce or build-upon previously delivered curriculum material.
Teachers receive in-depth information and resources to aid in the classroom, including how to purchase and use a telescope, and recommended software, apps, books and websites.
Find out where our Starlab will be
ABOUT ME
Who is AstroGeoGuy?
Chris Vaughan aka “AstroGeoGuy” is a professional Astronomer and Earth Scientist (graduate of University of Toronto). Since 1996, Chris has been delivering planetarium experiences, visiting classrooms, hosting science-themed assemblies, running science clubs, and holding Star Parties for schools and other groups around the GTA. In 2023 he moved to Collingwood, ON.
WRITER
He is the author of a weekly astronomy news bulletin for non-astronomers, called Astronomy Skylights, which is widely read by subscribers worldwide, and co-author with John A. Read of the book 110 Things to See With a Telescope. He writes a monthly calendar of astro-events and columns focused on Mobile Astronomy Apps for Space.com. Chris’ content is used in the popular apps SkySafari, Star Walk 2, and Starry Night.
GUIDE & SPEAKER
Chris is an operator and tour guide for the David Dunlap Observatory’s 74″ (1.88 m) Great Telescope, co-creator and presenter in their Skylab planetarium, and a speaker at their public programs. He has also presented The Sky This Month at the monthly Recreational Astronomy Night meetings of the RASC Toronto Centre, and hosts the Insider's Guide to the Galaxy show on YouTube. Chris is a regular speaker for Probus, Canadian Federation of University Women, and local libraries.
AWARD WINNER
He is the recipient of the 2014 Bertram Topham Award for Observing and the 2013, 2014 and 2018 Andrew Elvins Awards for Promotion of Astronomy from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Toronto Centre, the Qilak Award, and the 2022 Bertram J. Topham Award for Excellence in Astronomical Writing. In 2018, Chris was awarded the Reach for the Stars Award from the City of Markham, in recognition of his promotion of astronomy and fight against light pollution in Thornhill.
GEOPHYSICIST
A Mineral Exploration Geophysicist since 1980, Chris has gives classroom presentations on geology, rocks and minerals, mining, and archaeological age dating. He has served two terms as president of the Canadian Exploration Geophysical Society (KEGS).
LIFELONG LEARNER
A lifelong learner, Chris has been learning to speak, read, and write Mandarin.
Media & Appearances
You can find AstroGeo in the media and online! Check out some examples below.
Put a Personal Astronomer in Your Pocket Using Mobile Apps
by Chris Vaughan, Space.com
June 26, 2018
Thousands descend on Glendo to catch eclipse
by Noel Brennan, 9news.com
June 26, 2018
Best Night Sky Events of August 2020 (Stargazing Maps)
by Chris Vaughan, Space.com
August, 2020
Making Lunar Lemonade
Tips, tricks, and targets for observing the full moon
Homeschool Garden Blog
How Starry Night can turn Your Students into Junior Astronomers
by Chiris Vaughan, February, 2020
Ride Along with the Apollo 11 Crew on Their Historic First Lunar Landing Mission!
by Chris Vaughan, Space.com
July 16, 2019
Our Latest Skylights
Astronomy Skylights, our free weekly newsletter, is written for non-astronomers and is always family-friendly. Discover what’s in the sky this week, learn about astronomy concepts, and find out about upcoming public star parties, lectures, and meetings.
Catch Peak Pons-Brooks Comet and Early Lyrids before Luna Leaps in Brightness, and Jupiter Passes Uranus Under Spring’s Arch!
My friend Denise Chilton took this terrific image of the completely eclipsed sun from southeastern Quebec on April 8, 2024. The shape of the white corona will be replicated in[…]
Read more
The Solar Eclipse Hits and the Evening Moon Appears, Comet Pons-Brooks Passes Jupiter in Evening, and Morning Mars Kisses Saturn!
Kerry-Ann Lecky Hepburn captured this amazing shot of the August, 2017 partial solar eclipse. Hello, Spring Stargazers! Here are your Astronomy Skylights for the week of April 7th, 2024 by[…]
Read more
Moon’s Move to Morning Sets a Solar Eclipse and Galaxy Season, Pons-Brooks Approaches Jupiter, and Planets Prance at Dawn
This simulated view of the April 8, 2024 solar eclipse from the vantage point of the sun shows the spherical moon’s round shadow cast upon the Earth at 18:16 Greenwich[…]
Read moreContact & Booking Requests
AstroGeo is a division of CGI Controlled Geophysics Inc.