Get lost in the stars

Fort Garry

South Winnipeg

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This article was published 19/02/2025 (568 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Local stargazers, rejoice!

The Lockhart Planetarium at the University of Manitoba will host its next monthly open house at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 26. Each month, staff and students from the university’s department of physics and astronomy give a free, 45-minute interactive presentation to 50 members of the public, on an array of timely topics.

“It’s a mix of what’s in the news but also recent developments in astronomy research,” explained Dr. Danielle Pahud, an instructor within the department and director of the Lockhart Planetarium and the campus observatories.

“Last month, we did the planetary parade. We’ve done a show on the solar eclipse. After that big aurora storm in May (2024), we did space weather and things that happen on the sun and why that takes place. We’ve had talks from professors here on their research on supernova explosions. We’ve done a talk on light pollution.”

A 16-inch telescope is station on the roof of the planetarium, which is located in room 394 of University College building (210 Dysart Rd.). The U of M also operates the Glenlea Astronomical Observatory, located at the Glenlea Research Station, about 20 kilometres south of the Fort Garry campus, which includes a five-metre dome that houses a 40-centimetre Evans telescope.

“If it’s clear, we have a telescope on the roof and can bring people up to look through the telescope,” Pahud said.

“If it’s clear enough — which is a big ‘if’ — the planets are spectacular, the moon is incredible, but we can also see things like the Andromeda galaxy and the Orion nebula.”

With the current planetary parade, in which all the planets in the solar system appear for a short time in the southern skies shortly after sunset, Pahud encourages anyone to get out and have a look at the skies, whether they can make it to the planetarium or not. The next such alignment will not occur for approximately 175 years. While viewing Uranus and Neptune requires the use of a telescope, the other planets can be seen with the naked eye.

“You’ll be able to see Mercury about Feb. 24 or 25, just after the sun goes down, though Mercury and Saturn will be tough to see. Having a flat horizon will really help with that,” Pahud said. “Telescopes can be daunting, because they’re a big purchase. But I love binoculars as an astronomy tool. The moon, the planets, you can see all those things with something a little bigger than birding binoculars.”

The Lockhart Planetarium was renovated in 2020 to include a state-of-the-art Spitz SciDome 2400 projector system, which projects onto an eight-metre dome.

“It’s a space where we can come together, feel wonder, and explore the world around us,” Pahud said. “One of the benefits of having a relatively small group is people can ask questions. The software is very nimble. The speaker can address anyone’s question on the fly and visualize a lot of the answers.”

Faculty members often present their latest research, which includes such topics as supernova explosions and the merger of neuron stars, particle acceleration, and much more.

“We have some really excellent astronomers in the department. There’s all sorts of fun and exciting astronomy happening right here,” Pahud said.

“We have an incredible group of volunteers who are physics or astronomy students, or students interested in physics and astronomy, who are so passionate about sharing their excitement for science that makes working in this space really rewarding,” she added.

Tickets for the monthly open houses are free, but registration is required in advance via Eventbrite.

“I’m very fortunate that it’s been well-attended. It sells out most months, though there are often no-shows, so if it’s sold out and you still want to come, you can take a chance,” Pahud said. “The audience are often a wide mix of amateur astronomers to young families with three-year-olds. We get the whole gamut.”

For more information, visit

physics.umanitoba.ca/astro