The RASC supports the dissemination of astronomical knowledge through public presentations:

1. The RASC hosts two bi-annual public lectures at its annual General Assembly:
   • the Helen Sawyer Hogg Memorial Lecture (in even numbered years), and
   • the Ruth Northcott Memorial Lecture (in odd-numbered years).

2. The Public Speaker Program serves to encourage RASC Centres to bring in speakers from away.
3. The RASC Speaker Directory serves to supply speakers to public events held both inside and outside the RASC.

Ever since its inception in 1868, the RASC has been helping to bring the world of astronomy to interested Canadians through public lectures and talks.

Annual/Bi-Annual Lectures

The RASC funds two major annual and bi-annual lectures. These presentations are specially commissioned and aimed at persons who are interested in science and astronomy, and provide a unique opportunity to get a glimpse of astronomical research "live," as invited speakers take you behind the scenes of their research and share their latest discoveries. See Manual in PDF below.

Public Speaker Program

The RASC also funds a series of public talks organized by our Centres through the Public Speaker Program (PSP) initiated in 2010. The goal of the program is to encourage our Centres to organize and host public talks, by speakers from outside their local area, about astronomical and related topics. The Society recognizes the value of sharing the knowledge and experience of our members and others more widely than may be otherwise possible, by providing funding to pay for a speaker’s travel and accommodation expenses.  Guidelines for the program are here.