Join us for the Trottier Observatory and Science Courtyard's 10th Anniversary!

Since 2014 the Trottier Observatory and Science Courtyard has been the heart of SFU Science's public outreach, hosting over 30,000 visitors through open houses, K-12 student field trips and Starry Nights - Canada's largest star party - every clear Friday evening.

For the past ten years the Trottier Observatory has operated in partnership with the Trottier Family Foundation to bring science education and astronomy to students, families, and the general public, and has carried out this mission thanks to the hard work and enthusiasm of many volunteers including SFU staff and students and the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada - Vancouver Centre.

Join us for two days of out-of-this-world celebrations including an extra-special Starry Nights and an open house with free activities for all ages!

Schedule of Events

Friday April 4

Special Guest Lecture:
"What If Everything We Know Is Wrong?"
With Bob McDonald, Host of CBC's Quirks and Quarks

Time: 7:00 pm
Place: SFU Burnaby, Lecture Hall C9001
(Chemistry theatre, AQ third floor)
Registration is free, but please reserve your ticket!

Register here

When we look at the world through our five senses, what we see is wrong. The Earth looks flat and unmoving with a sky like a dome overhead. For 2000 years, science has continually changed our view of the world and our place in the cosmos. From the first measurement of the size of our globe and its movement through space, to plate tectonics and the genetic revolution, science has been the best tool to discover how nature works. And there is still much to discover, as dark matter and dark energy, which make up 95% of the universe are totally mysterious. There is still much to learn.

Friday April 4

Starry Nights Star Party with the Royal Astronomical Society
Time: 8:30 - 11:00 pm
Place: Trottier Observatory & Science Courtyard (Google Map pin)
Come join Canada's largest Star Party! Tour the Observatory, see the celestial objects in view, and meet our local community of stargazers.
In case of bad weather, the Observatory and Science Courtyard will be open for tours, but not for sky viewing.

Saturday April 5

Observatory Open House and 10th Birthday Party
Time: 2:00-5:00 pm
Place: Trottier Observatory (Google Map pin)
Drop in to enjoy the Portable Planetarium, see Astronomy demos, see the Universe in virtual reality and join in free all-ages activities

20-Minute Astronomy Talks
Time: 2:30-4:30 pm
Place: Lecture Hall B9201, off of the Academic Quadrant South Hall (Google map pin)

  • 2:30pm: Joanna Woo (Director, Trottier Observatory): Fly Through the Universe with the Galaxies
  • 3:15pm: Darren Grant (Professor, Dept. of Physics): Ghost chasing 101: opening a new window to the extreme Universe
  • 4:00pm: Leigh Cummings (Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Vancouver chapter): Turn Off the Lights: Viewing the Night Sky From the City