Stargazers to explore the cosmos at Astronomy Day events in Greater Victoria
Published 5:30 am Saturday, April 4, 2026
The stars align for events across the region to celebrate International Astronomy Day in Greater Victoria on April 25.
“International Astronomy Day is about making space science accessible to everyone,” said Randy Enkin of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Victoria Centre. “From safely viewing the sun during the day to exploring the night sky through telescopes, these events are designed to spark curiosity and connect people with the universe around them.”
The Victoria Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada presents family-friendly Astronomy Day activities at the Royal BC Museum from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Activities include solar telescopes for safely viewing the sun outdoors in front of the museum on Belleville Street. Inside there will be displays from the University of Victoria Physics and Astronomy Department, Camosun College, the Shawnigan Lake High School, and the Centre of the Universe. Royal Astronomical Society of Canada volunteers and Science Venture staff from the University of Victoria will engage children with hands-on activities.
All the astronomy and responsible lighting presentations, displays and workshops are free, while regular admission still applies for regular museum exhibits and films. The IMAX theatre is scheduled to show Asteroid Hunters at 11a.m., A Beautiful Planet 3D at 1 p.m., and Deep Sky at 3 p.m.
Speakers at the museum include Lauren Harrison with a talk on women in astronomy, and former observatory director Dennis Crabtree on the photographic legacy of the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory and its founder, John Stanley Plaskett.
The Centre of the Universe will be open, with access to exhibits, the planetarium, and guided tours of the historic Plaskett Telescope. Weather permitting, RASC members will offer public telescope viewing at both locations.
Evening programming runs 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Centre of the Universe, located next to the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, 5071 W. Saanich Road.
A featured talk at 7:30 p.m. by University of Victoria professor of astronomy Jon Willis will explore the search for life beyond Earth.
Tickets are available by donation to support astronomy outreach at the Centre of the Universe. Gates open at 7:15 p.m., with programming starting at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are required and support astronomy outreach at the centre. Sales go live April 14 at 5 p.m. online at https://centreoftheuniverse.org/events/2026/4/25.
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