The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada Presents: International Astronomy Day 2026
Location: Royal BC Museum | Date - April 26 | Time: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm | Cost: Free (Excluding IMAX)

Outdoor Activities: The Museum Plaza
Solar Viewing: Safely observe sunspots and solar flares through specialized telescopes (weather permitting).
Ask an Astronomer: Have a burning question about black holes or the Big Bang? Experts are standing by.
Interactive Demos: Hands-on activities to kick off your cosmic journey.

Indoor Activities: Clifford Carl Hall (Main Level)
RASC Welcome Table: Pick up a Star Chart and learn how to navigate the night sky.
Telescope Show-and-Tell: Try out different telescope models and find the right one for you.
Astrophotography Gallery: View stunning images taken by local members and learn how to use your own camera to capture the stars.
Kids’ Astro-Crafts: A dedicated space for children to create their own space souvenirs.
Responsible Lighting: Learn how to reduce light pollution to protect our local natural environments.
Stellarium Sky Simulation: Explore the universe on a large-scale planetarium screen.
Giveaway Table: Browse a collection of free books, magazines, and posters to take home.
Artemis 2 Display: Get the latest updates on humanity’s upcoming return to the Moon.

Special Guests & Community Partners
UVic Astronomy & Physics: See the latest tech and research from University of Victoria students.
Science Venture: Interact with the Spiro Mars Rovers and explore engineering challenges.
Camosun College: Learn about astronomy courses and university transfer pathways.
Shawnigan Lake School: View cosmological photos taken by students with their dedicated telescope.
Centre of the Universe: Meet "Celestial Buddies" and get info on Star Parties and the Centre of the Universe.

Speaker Series: RBCM Theatre
Check on-site signage for specific room locations and start times.
Speaker & Topics:
Megan Meraz - The Universe Through a Lens: A 15-year journey from blurry photos to expert astrophotography.
Chris Gainor - Artemis II: A deep dive into humanity’s return to the Moon by a NASA-published historian.
Lauren Harrison - Women in Astronomy: Celebrating the influential figures shaping the field in Canada and beyond.
Dennis Crabtree - The Photographic Legacy of the DAO: A rare look at 100-year-old glass plates and Canada's astronomical history.

Cosmic Series at IMAX Victoria
Regular admission rates apply.
11:00 am: Asteroid Hunters
1:00 pm: A Beautiful Planet 3D
3:00 pm: Deep Sky

Evening Bonus: Star Party at the Observatory
The celebration continues into the night at the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory from 7:30 pm – 11:00 pm.

⚠️ PLEASE NOTE: While the Museum event is open to everyone, the evening Star Party requires pre-booked tickets due to limited site capacity. Tickets must be reserved in advance at centreoftheuniverse.org.