56 astronomy clubs in Canada
- Alberta 4
- British Columbia 8
- Manitoba 1
- New Brunswick 2
- Newfoundland and Labrador 1
- Nova Scotia 1
- Ontario 21
- Quebec 15
- Saskatchewan 2
- Yukon 1
Alberta: 4 clubs
| Club | Town | Meets | Dark site |
|---|---|---|---|
| RASC Calgary Centre | Calgary | 3rd Thursday monthly, 7:30 pm | Wilson Coulee Observatory, near Okotoks AB |
| RASC Edmonton Centre | Edmonton | 2nd Monday monthly Sep-Jun (3rd Monday if holiday), 7:30 pm | Black Nugget Lake Observatory, near Tofield AB |
| Lethbridge Astronomy Society | Lethbridge | - | Oldman River Observatory, Lethbridge AB |
| Medicine Hat Astronomy Club | Medicine Hat | - | Sunridge Observatory, Medicine Hat AB |
British Columbia: 8 clubs
| Club | Town | Meets | Dark site |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kamloops Astronomical Society | Kamloops | - | Stake Lake Star Park and Observatory, south of Kamloops BC |
| RASC Okanagan Centre | Kelowna | Monthly, Tuesday 7:30 pm | - |
| Nanaimo Astronomy Society | Nanaimo | Monthly, Beban Park Social Centre | - |
| Mt. Kobau Astronomical Society | Osoyoos | - | Mount Kobau summit, near Osoyoos BC |
| RASC Prince George Centre | Prince George | 2nd Wednesday monthly, 7:30 pm | Prince George Observatory, Prince George BC |
| RASC Sunshine Coast Centre | Sechelt | 2nd Friday monthly, 7:30 pm | - |
| RASC Vancouver Centre | Vancouver | 2nd Thursday monthly, 7:30 pm | - |
| RASC Victoria Centre | Victoria | 2nd Wednesday monthly, 7:30 pm | Victoria Centre Observatory at the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, Saanich BC |
Manitoba: 1 clubs
| Club | Town | Meets | Dark site |
|---|---|---|---|
| RASC Winnipeg Centre | Winnipeg | 2nd Friday monthly, 7:30 pm | - |
New Brunswick: 2 clubs
| Club | Town | Meets | Dark site |
|---|---|---|---|
| RASC New Brunswick Centre | Fredericton | 3rd Saturday monthly, usually 1 pm | - |
| Saint John Astronomy Club | Saint John | Monthly, 7 pm | - |
Newfoundland and Labrador: 1 clubs
| Club | Town | Meets | Dark site |
|---|---|---|---|
| RASC St. John's Centre | St. John's | 3rd Wednesday monthly, 8 pm | - |
Nova Scotia: 1 clubs
| Club | Town | Meets | Dark site |
|---|---|---|---|
| RASC Halifax Centre | Halifax | 3rd Friday monthly, 8 pm | St. Croix Observatory, St. Croix NS |
Ontario: 21 clubs
| Club | Town | Meets | Dark site |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barrie Astronomy Club | Barrie | Thursday evenings (about monthly), 7 pm | - |
| Hamilton Amateur Astronomers | Hamilton | 2nd Friday monthly Sep-Jun, 7:30 pm | Members-only dark sky site (location not published) |
| RASC Hamilton Centre | Hamilton | 1st Thursday monthly, 7:30 pm | - |
| RASC Kingston Centre | Kingston | Monthly, Wednesday 7 pm | - |
| RASC London Centre | London | 3rd Friday monthly, 7:30 pm | - |
| RASC Mississauga Centre | Mississauga | 2nd and 4th Fridays, 8 pm | - |
| RASC Niagara Centre | Niagara Falls | 3rd Thursday monthly, 7:30 pm | - |
| RASC Ottawa Centre | Ottawa | 1st Friday monthly, 7:30 pm | Fred Lossing Observatory, near Almonte ON |
| Bluewater Astronomical Society | Owen Sound | - | - |
| Peterborough Astronomical Association | Peterborough | Monthly, Rotary Education Centre | Harold Town Conservation Area, near Peterborough ON |
| RASC Sarnia Centre | Sarnia | 3rd Thursday monthly, 7 pm | - |
| North Shore Erie Amateur Astronomers | Simcoe | 1st Friday monthly Sep-Nov and Jan-May, 7-9 pm | - |
| Stratford Astronomy Group | Stratford | - | - |
| RASC Thunder Bay Centre | Thunder Bay | 2nd Tuesday monthly, 7 pm | David Thompson Astronomical Observatory, Fort William Historical Park, Thunder Bay ON |
| Astronomy Club at York University | Toronto | - | - |
| North York Astronomical Association | Toronto | - | Riverplace Campground, Mount Forest ON (Starfest) |
| RASC Toronto Centre | Toronto | Speaker and social nights at the David Dunlap Observatory, Richmond Hill (in person) and streamed online; Ontario Science Centre venue closed 2024 | Carr Astronomical Observatory, The Blue Mountains ON |
| University of Toronto Astronomy and Space Exploration Society (ASX) | Toronto | Events at University of Toronto St. George campus, Toronto | - |
| RASC Kitchener-Waterloo Centre | Waterloo | 2nd Friday monthly, 7:30 pm | - |
| Durham Region Astronomical Association | Whitby | Monthly, Wednesday 7 pm | - |
| RASC Windsor Centre | Windsor | 3rd Tuesday monthly, 7:30 pm | - |
Quebec: 15 clubs
| Club | Town | Meets | Dark site |
|---|---|---|---|
| Club des astronomes amateurs de Boucherville-Monteregie (CAABM) | Boucherville | Twice-monthly Wednesdays, 7:30-10:10 pm | - |
| Club d'astronomie Quasar de Chibougamau | Chibougamau | - | - |
| Dorval Astronomy Club | Dorval | - | - |
| Club Mars de Levis | Levis | Monthly Wednesday (usually 3rd), 7:30-9:30 pm | Observatoire du Mont-Cosmos, Saint-Elzear QC |
| Club d'astronomie Bois Belle-Riviere-Mirabel | Mirabel | Talks or meetings about every other Tuesday, 7 pm | Bois de Belle-Riviere observatory, Mirabel QC |
| Club d'astronomie Mont-Tremblant | Mont-Tremblant | Every 2 weeks at Pavillon Velan observatory, Domaine Saint-Bernard | Pavillon Velan observatory, Domaine Saint-Bernard, Mont-Tremblant QC |
| RASC Centre francophone de Montreal (Societe d'astronomie de Montreal) | Montreal | Tuesdays, 8 pm | - |
| Club d'astronomie io de Val-Belair | Quebec City | Monthly meetings at Observatoire astronomique de la Decouverte, 1560 rue de la Decouverte | Observatoire astronomique de la Decouverte, Val-Belair QC |
| Club d'astronomie VEGA de Cap-Rouge | Quebec City | Monthly Wednesday talk, 7:30 pm | - |
| Club d'astronomie de Rimouski | Rimouski | Meetings at Cegep de Rimouski; open to all, membership not required | - |
| Club des astronomes amateurs de Rosemere | Rosemere | Every other Monday, 7:30 pm | - |
| Association des astronomes amateurs de l'Abitibi-Temiscamingue | Rouyn-Noranda | - | - |
| Club d'astronomie les Borealides du Lac St-Jean Ouest | Saint-Felicien | Monthly Friday, 7-10 pm | Planetarium and observatory, Saint-Felicien QC |
| RASC Montreal Centre | Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue | 1st Thursday monthly Sep-May, 8 pm | - |
| Club d'astronomie Jupiter de la Mauricie | Trois-Rivieres | Monthly Friday meeting, room SA-2080 | - |
Saskatchewan: 2 clubs
| Club | Town | Meets | Dark site |
|---|---|---|---|
| RASC Regina Centre | Regina | Monthly Sep-Jun (usually 1st Friday), 7:30 pm | - |
| RASC Saskatoon Centre | Saskatoon | 3rd Monday monthly, 7:30 pm | Sleaford Observatory, near Colonsay SK |
Yukon: 1 clubs
| Club | Town | Meets | Dark site |
|---|---|---|---|
| RASC Yukon Centre (Yukon Astronomical Society) | Whitehorse | - | Yukon Astronomical Society observatory, Takhini Hot Springs Road, Whitehorse YT |
Meeting places and times change; each club's page links to its website. A dash means the list does not have that detail yet; unconfirmed clubs had no recent activity we could check, so contact them first.
18 observatories in Canada open to the public
- Allan I. Carswell Astronomical ObservatoryNorth York, Ontario, Canada. Free public viewing Wednesday evenings plus special events
- Burke-Gaffney ObservatoryHalifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Free public tours on scheduled evenings; book via Eventbrite
- Cypress Hills ObservatoryMaple Creek, Saskatchewan, Canada. Park interpretive astronomy programs with 14-inch and 12-inch telescopes; annual Cypress Hills star party
- David Dunlap ObservatoryRichmond Hill, Ontario, Canada. Public astronomy nights and telescope tours on scheduled dates; book ahead
- David Thompson Astronomical ObservatoryThunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. Public night sky viewing events and programs year-round; check park calendar
- Dominion Radio Astrophysical ObservatoryKaleden, British Columbia, Canada. Self-guided visitor area open daily in daytime; no cell phones (radio quiet)
- Glenlea Astronomical ObservatoryGlenlea, Manitoba, Canada. Occasional public open houses
- Gordon MacMillan Southam ObservatoryVancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Saturday nights 7:30-11:30 pm, weather permitting; admission by donation
- Grenfell ObservatoryNewfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Public viewing nights and youth group programs; see Events page
- Gustav Bakos ObservatoryWaterloo, Ontario, Canada. Free tours, usually first Wednesday monthly, starting with talk in PHY 150; no booking
- Killarney Provincial Park ObservatoryKillarney, Ontario, Canada. Park interpreter programs, Astronomer in Residence, Stars over Killarney event; free self-use sign-out Jul-Sep
- Mont Megantic ObservatoryNotre-Dame-des-Bois, Quebec, Canada. ASTROLab (Parc national du Mont-Megantic) exhibits, guided tours, astronomy evenings and Perseid festival
- Oldman River ObservatoryLethbridge, Alberta, Canada. Free public observing last Saturday monthly Oct-Feb (not Dec), 7:30 pm; ticket via TicketTailor
- Rothney Astrophysical ObservatoryPriddis, Alberta, Canada. Monthly ticketed Space Nights ($10, book on ShowPass); open only for scheduled events
- Sunridge ObservatorySeven Persons, Alberta, Canada. Occasional public open houses (one held October 2025)
- Wilkinson Memorial ObservatoryEastend, Saskatchewan, Canada. Guided night sky tours and telescope demonstrations
- William Brydone Jack ObservatoryFredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. Museum with original 1849 telescope; open by arrangement and during Doors Open
- Wilson Coulee ObservatoryDe Winton, Alberta, Canada. Tours offered by RASC Calgary (WCO Tours page)
See every observatory in Canada, including the research sites.
Darkest places to stargaze in Canada
- Auyuittuq National ParkBortle 1, Pangnirtung, Canada
- Grasslands National ParkBortle 1, Val Marie, Canada
- Lake Superior Provincial ParkBortle 1, Wawa, Canada
- Quetico Provincial ParkBortle 1, Atikokan, Canada
- Wood Buffalo National ParkBortle 1, Fort Smith, Canada
Star parties in Canada
- Alberta Star PartyDrumheller, Alberta, Late summer new moon
- Alberta StarBQCaroline, Alberta, Summer
- Butter Pot Star PartySt. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, August
- Fundy Star GazeAlma, New Brunswick, Late summer
- Island Star PartyDuncan, British Columbia, August
- Jasper Dark Sky FestivalJasper, Alberta, October
- Kouchibouguac Fall Star FestSaint-Louis-de-Kent, New Brunswick, Autumn
- Kouchibouguac Spring Star FestSaint-Louis-de-Kent, New Brunswick, Spring
- Mount Carleton Star PartySaint-Quentin, New Brunswick, Late summer
- Mount Kobau Star PartyOsoyoos, British Columbia, Summer new moon
- Northern Prairie Star PartyTofield, Alberta, Late summer new moon
- Nova East Star PartyNewport, Nova Scotia, Late summer
- Saskatchewan Summer Star PartyMaple Creek, Saskatchewan, August new moon
- StarfestAyton, Ontario, August new moon
- Thebacha and Wood Buffalo Dark Sky FestivalFort Smith, Northwest Territories, Late August, for the aurora
Inactive or unconfirmed clubs in Canada
No recent activity was found for these 34 clubs, or they are no longer active. They may have folded, merged or simply not posted online; contact them before you go.
- Fraser Valley Astronomers SocietyAbbotsford, British Columbia, Canada
- Glengarry Stargazers Astronomy ClubAlexandria, Ontario, Canada
- Minas Astronomy GroupAvonport, Nova Scotia, Canada
- RASC Belleville CentreBelleville, Ontario, Canada
- Club d'astronomie de BeloeilBeloeil, Quebec, Canada
- Club d'astronomie de BoisbriandBoisbriand, Quebec, Canada
- Brandon and Area Astronomical SocietyBrandon, Manitoba, Canada
- Club d'astronomie de ChateauguayChateauguay, Quebec, Canada
- SD&G Backyard Astronomers ClubCornwall, Ontario, Canada
- Comox Valley Astronomy ClubCourtenay, British Columbia, Canada
- Cowichan Valley StarFindersDuncan, British Columbia, Canada
- Astro Club BorealisEdmundston, New Brunswick, Canada
- Elliot Lake Astronomy ClubElliot Lake, Ontario, Canada
- Thebacha & Wood Buffalo Astronomical SocietyFort Smith, Northwest Territories, Canada
- William Brydone Jack Astronomy ClubFredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
- Big Sky Astronomical SocietyHigh River, Alberta, Canada
- Not In My Backyard AstronomersMaple, Ontario, Canada
- Merritt Astronomical SocietyMerritt, British Columbia, Canada
- Club d'astronomie MIRAMirabel, Quebec, Canada
- Stargazers' Group of MississaugaMississauga, Ontario, Canada
- Astronomy MonctonMoncton, New Brunswick, Canada
- Club d'astronomie du Lievre endiableMont-Laurier, Quebec, Canada
- North Bay Astronomy ClubNorth Bay, Ontario, Canada
- Dufferin Astronomy AssociationOrangeville, Ontario, Canada
- Orillia Stars Astronomy ClubOrillia, Ontario, Canada
- Ottawa Valley Astronomy & Observers GroupOttawa, Ontario, Canada
- Club d'astronomie de Saint-RaymondSaint-Raymond, Quebec, Canada
- Twin Sault Astronomy ClubSault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada
- Smiths Falls Amateur Astronomy GroupSmiths Falls, Ontario, Canada
- Sudbury Astronomy ClubSudbury, Ontario, Canada
- Athena Community Astronomy ClubSummerside, Prince Edward Island, Canada
- Cape Breton Astronomical SocietySydney, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Club d'astronomie des MoulinsTerrebonne, Quebec, Canada
- Whistler Astronomy ClubWhistler, British Columbia, Canada