AIR Blog

Robin Metcalfe is a professor in the Division of Natural Science at York University, where she has been teaching astronomy for over 20 years. Robin’s PhD research pertained to extragalactic astronomy but her current interests are in the search for life beyond Earth and the implications of such a discovery on humanity. Through her teaching, Robin shares her passion for the night sky and the outdoors. She teaches students to appreciate what the night sky has to teach us, to gain perspective from our place in the Universe, and to value our precious planet Earth.

Robin's Blog

Dr. Hyde is the Director of the Allan I Carswell Observatory and AIR program contact. Her research is "in and above the cloud", combining astrophysics, data science, cloud computing, planetary sciences, optical engineering, telescope operations and telescope observations. She has worked with instrumentation and telescopes around the world, and currently provides technical leadership for York University's Allan I. Carswell Astronomical Observatory. Her motivation is the promotion of astronomy education and research through public telescope activities and exploration. As a lecturer, trainer, and consultant, she innovates teaching methodologies for interdisciplinary audiences across the sciences as well as for businesses, students and the general public.

Elaina's Blog

Dr. Rachel Ward-Maxwell has worked as a science communicator and program developer for a variety of organizations, appeared as a content expert on television and radio broadcasts, and delivered countless tours of the sky - both in-person and virtually - at observatories and planetariums, on-site and online star parties, and sidewalk astronomy events. Her doctoral degree was in astrophysics but recently she has worked at the Ontario Science Centre in the role of Researcher-Programmer, Astronomy and Space Sciences. She is also a member of the Advisory Committee for the Dunlap Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics.

Rachel's Blog

Ryan Marciniak is an astronomer, educator, and science communicator. For over 15 years he has performed live science shows, reaching hundreds of thousands of people with a passion for space and science education. He previously worked at the Ontario Science Centre, and as Lead Researcher with a creative team to develop the exhibit "Canada 150: Discovery Way," celebrating Canadian innovation. In 2011, he started Astronomy in Action, with the goal of connecting people to the universe with an inflatable planetarium. This year, Astronomy in Action and Ryan participated in the Open Air Astro Fair at York University. Ryan has also appeared as an expert astronomer for media appearances with CBC, CTV, and more.

Ryan's Blog

Prof. Mary-Helen Armour is faculty at York University. She teaches a number of science courses in the Natural Science Division. Her background is both Astronomy (Masters in Physics and Astronomy) and Earth Sciences (PhD in near surface geophysics and modelling). She has a interest in a range of astronomy topics - From historical astronomy and how the sky was a resource as a calendar and navigation, to planetary sciences, the possibility of finding life somewhere other than earth and asteroid impact structures. For a sample of one of her astronomy related geology talks, see her recorded 'impact structures' YouTube presentation here.

Mary-Helen's Blog

Jo is a self taught amateur astronomer with over a decade of experience under his belt. Jo is a member of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada and has been involved in astronomy related outreach programs in the Mississauga area for many years. He enjoys the challenge of finding astronomical targets without the aid of computer driven telescopes (aka. star hopping) and has built a deep knowledge of the night sky as a result. Joining Jo this week is his wife Sonya and their daughter Alcyone.

Jo's Blog

John Wilmot's interest in astronomy began in childhood with constellation identification in Cub Scouts. His passion deepened with the purchase of a serious telescope and involvement in a local astronomy club. He has completed the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada's 'Explore the Universe' program and recently completed sketching the 110 Messier objects and serves as a director of the Barrie Astronomy Club, where he presents on astronomical topics. John has also delivered presentations at the Barrie Public Library, sharing his enthusiasm for the night sky with both adults and children.

John's Blog

Sunna is a 3nd year PhD student at York University, studying low-mass galaxies in the early Universe with the James Webb Space Telescope. In addition to research, Sunna is a volunteer at the Allan I. Carswell Observatory at York University, participating in public outreach and observing with the 1m, 60cm, and 40cm telescopes.
Anna is a first year PhD student that is researching water isotope separation. As a part of her Masters research Anna specialized in dwarf galaxies and was a part of the team that developed software for the York University Allan I. Carswell Observatory. She currently continues development of the Quad Array of Isolating Lenses (capable of observing dim objects in bright skies).

Sunna and Anna's Blog

Bruce has been teaching astronomy to the public since 1981 and in the provincial park system every year since 1985. He was at the McLaughlin Planetarium as star theatre operator, producer and educator and ran the last public star show with the hope that, one day, the stars would shine down upon Toronto again. He also authored "A camper's guide to the universe" in 2012" and is the author of the Ontario Parks monthly astronomy blog. Finally, he is the co-founder of Stars over Killarney - an annual astronomy program featuring topics that connect to the Park (2018).

Bruce's Blog

Camila and Darius are fifth year undergraduate students while Alex is a recent graduate student from York University in the Physics and Astronomy program. They’ve all worked at the Allan I. Carswell Observatory, helping with telescope operations, public outreach, and research. Camila has focused on variable stars and is currently working with the spectra of stars, Darius has worked as a work-study student and is currently working on intergalactic fast radio bursts, and Alex is helping with implementing the QUAIL telescope system and has plans to become a high school physics teacher. Outside of astronomy, they enjoy things like exploring nature, music, and film photography.

2025 Blog