About the Instructor & Tour Leader
Chris Vaughan aka "AstroGeoGuy" is a professional Geophysicist and Astronomer (graduate of University of Toronto, 1982) with a passion for education and public outreach. He is the recipient of the 2014 Bertram Topham Award for Observing and the 2013 and 2014 Andrew Elvins Awards for Promotion of Astronomy from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada Toronto Centre and the author of a weekly astronomy news bulletin for non-astronomers, called Astronomy Skylights, which is received by subscribers worldwide (and archived here). Since 1996, Chris has been visiting classrooms, hosting science-themed assemblies, running science clubs, and holding Star Parties for schools and other groups around the GTA.
Chris is an operator of the David Dunlap Observatory's 74" (1.88 m) Great Telescope, co-creator and regular presenter in their Skylab planetarium, and a speaker at their public programs. He is also a regular presenter of The Sky This Month at the monthly Recreational Astronomy Night meetings of the RASC Toronto Centre, and a speaker at the annual AstroCATS astronomy show. He writes a semi-monthly column about Mobile Apps for astronomy for Space.com 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). An astronomy enthusiast since elementary school, and a lifelong learner, Chris has recently been learning to speak, read, and write Mandarin. |
About the David Dunlap Observatory
The David Dunlap Observatory, located in the heart of Richmond Hill, Ontario, houses the 1.88 metre (74") Great Telescope, the largest optical telescope in Canada, and the world’s largest telescope available for regular public viewing. The historical facility, opened in 1935, is still fully operational as a public outreach and education destination. The facility includes classrooms, a lecture hall, meeting rooms, laboratory spaces, and the Skylab – an immersive and interactive planetarium room.
Weather permitting, members of AstroGeo tour groups are invited to observe through the 74" (1.88 metre) telescope and a variety of smaller astronomical telescopes set up outside on the beautiful grounds. During daytime tours on sunny days, two methods of viewing the Sun are available, including the unique solar disk in H-alpha light through our specialized solar telescopes. Instruction on safe solar observing, with and without telescopes, is a component of every daytime visit. Please note that, as a heritage structure, the observatory is not wheelchair accessible at this time and that many of our attractions are accessed via stairs. Photo credit: The DDO Dome and Star Trails captured by student Benjamin Lappalainen, www.blapphoto.com |
About the Tours and Programs
Through AstroGeo, groups of all ages can book their visit to tour for fun or to engage in our scientist-led educational programs. Daytime visitors can engage in supervised live solar observing (weather permitting) and hands-on science activities. Evening visits will focus on night time astronomy with observing (weather permitting) and a tour of the night sky. All tours include a visit to the dome and its Great Telescope and a presentation in the Skylab planetarium room. Our educational programs have been designed to complement the Earth and Space, and Optics, units of the Ontario curriculum - and include elements of literacy, numeracy, history, and art. Teachers are encouraged to visit for training in astronomy and earth science, including how to purchase and use telescopes, training on the best software and apps, and recommended websites and books. Customized experiences are available upon request. Unstructured tours / observing visits are also available for group bookings by camps, clubs, corporations, etc. All of our instructors have current Vulnerable Sector Screening Certificates.
Please contact us to inquire about pricing and available dates. |
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