Hello!
I’m Chris Vaughan, aka 'Astrogeoguy'... Let's explore the Universe together!

 

PORTABLE PLANETARIUM

View the night sky, hear stories, travel to other planets, and journey through the Universe in our Starlab Digital Planetarium.

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PRESENTATIONS

Our daytime and evening experiences, and classroom presentations, are tailored to the learning level. Concepts are explained with easy-to-grasp language.

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‘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!

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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.

EDUCATION

OUTREACH

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.

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Telescope Buying Tips, the Moon Meets Jupiter, Mars Tickles the Beehive, and Venus Grazes Globulars!

The globular star cluster known as Messier 22 and the Great Sagittarius Cluster. Venus will shine near this object this week. The cluster spans about one-third of the full moon’s[…]

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Greater Toronto Area Space Station Flyovers for the week of November 17th, 2024

As shown above, on Monday, November 18, 2024 from 5:55 to 6:00 pm EDT, the International Space Station will be visible flying over the GTA in a very bright pass,[…]

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An Evening Moon Erases Saturn, Seeing Stars Shoot, Max Mercury and Uranus, and Full Frost Final Supermoon!

The area around the small, bright crater Aristarchus (left of centre) in Oceanus Procellarum is one of the most colourful portions of the lunar surface. The large ragged ray systems[…]

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Contact & Booking Requests

AstroGeo is a division of CGI Controlled Geophysics Inc.