Canada's largest optical telescope, the 74" reflector at the David Dunlap Observatory is to be closed and its lands redeveloped as part of a plan announced on September 10th by the University of Toronto.

Thanks to RASC volunteers, Astronomy Week and International Astronomy Day 2007 put stars in the eyes of astronomers and others across the country. While the eastern half of the country enjoyed clear skies, clouds over the prairies and the west coast did not dampen enthusiasm for indoor exhibits and presentations.

Long-time RASC member David Levy has discovered another comet visually near Saturn in the pre-dawn sky as reported by the Central Bureau of Astronomical Telegrams (circular 8757). David Levy is a life member of the Society attached to the Kingston Centre and also serves as their Honorary President. Congratulations!

The Montréal Planetarium, located on rue Saint-Jacques, will be closing on October 11 to allow the current team to plan and produce the programming for the new Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium, which is slated to open in spring 2013. So families and astronomy buffs still have a few days left to visit this Space for Life, which presents the starry sky this month and multimedia shows for all ages. For the past 45 years, the Montréal Planetarium has been explaining and making the fascinating universe of astronomy and space exploration accessible to everyone.

E. Cliffton (Cliff) Carr, a Life Member of, and major benefactor to, the RASC's Toronto Centre passed away unexpectedly on October 27, 2011. Mr. Carr made a substantial donation to the Toronto Centre that led to the founding of the Carr Astronomical Observatory (CAO) near Thornbury, Ontario and will be greatly missed by his many friends in the Society.

Construction of the David Thompson Observatory at Fort William Historical Park here in Thunder Bay has begun. When complete the 15' Automated ProDome will house a 20" Planewave CDK, on a Planewave Ascention HR mount. The secondary scope is a 5" TMB Refractor. The facility is 100% owned by the Ontario Government.

The Canadian Astronomical Society (CASCA) has announced that the 2011 winner of the Peter G. Martin Award for Mid-career Achievement by a CASCA member is Dr. Roberto Abraham (University of Toronto). Dr. Abraham is a member of the Toronto Centre and currently serves as their Honorary President. The complete story is on the Toronto Centre website.

Dr. Doug Welch, a member of the Hamilton Centre and astronomy professor at McMaster University, has been awarded the McNeil Medal by the Royal Society of Canada.

On a 230-metre mountain just north of Victoria, the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory (DAO)’s 1.8 metre reflecting telescope has probed the night skies for 92 years. It’s apt now that Parks Canada should designate the observatory as a national historic site to recognize its importance to Canadian astronomy’s development.

This past weekend the Toronto Centre celebrated the 75th anniversary of the David Dunlap Observatory with a special birthday event at Canada's largest optical observatory. A special anniversary podcast was recorded and posted at  356daysofastronomy.org. You can also find out more about the David Dunlap Observatory, its history, and the schedule of events for 2010 at www.theddo.ca.