COSMIC CONNECTIONS Observing Sessions
A fun and friendly place to share knowledge under the stars

FREE Observing Sessions -- Hands-on astronomy for anyone interested in space...
No telescope or experience required!

EfstonScience invites you to join us at our Cosmic Connections Observing Sessions
This is your chance to use your telescope with other amateur astronomers, get tips from our expert staff and have fun star gazing amongst friends. You don't have to be a customer or even own a telescope for that matter -- if you're curious about astronomy, come out and give it a try.

This is a great chance to try out many types of telscopes, explore the skies with the experts and even make some new friends!

Information Seminars – Every Session:
• What’s up tonight?
• Locating the Constellations
• Showpiece objects and planets
• Astronomy for Small Scopes

Special Sessions (Dates TBD):
• CCD Astronomy
• Digital astrophotography
• Star Hopping and Deep Sky Observing with Large Scopes
• Getting the most out of your Computerized Telescope

You're invited to take part in our regularly scheduled evening observing sessions!

Observing sessions are held at our exclusive site at the Palgrave Conservation Area approximately 10 km North of the Town of Bolton and about 1 hr North of Toronto during two seven-day windows each month on one of the seven days up to and including every first quarter moon, and on one of the seven days centred on last quarter moon. Observing takes place on the first clear night without high winds within each seven day window period.

Most people do bring their own telescopes or binoculars and are there to share the experience with fellow astronomy enthusiasts. Observers arrive at the site the before sunset to take advantage of the fading twilight for set-up purposes. Binocular owners find tripods or reclining chairs with armrests very helpful. All participants should bring flashlights with red lens covers and dress for 10° less than the expected minimum temperature.

An EfstonScience Expert as well as other amateur astronomers with many years of experience are on hand to help beginners become better acquainted with their equipment and the night sky. Our customers appreciate that we stand beside our products – literally – to ensure maximum enjoyment!

How to know if it’s a GO?
Weather permitting, we have two sessions per month. They are held during two seven day windows each month on one of the seven days, up to and including every first quarter moon and on one of the seven days centred on the last quarter moon. Observing takes place on the first clear night without high winds within each window period. As clouds can break up as quickly as they form, the final decision if it's a GO or GO NO is made only two hours before sunset.

Please call our Observing Hotline two hours before sunset at (416) 787-4581 and press #6, check our www.telescopes.ca page and look for "OBSERVING TODAY" in the "Cosmic Connections" window or email us at observing@telescopes.ca if you would like to receive a reminder email that a window is coming up and we'll add you to the notification list.

Check out this year's Observing Schedule.

If you would like to be notified by email by 5pm on the day of observing, please send your name and email address to observing@telescopes.ca

Click here to DOWNLOAD a PDF document with information on our Cosmic Connections Observing Sessions, directions to the site and this year's Observing Shedule (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader).