AstroMIL 2023: an astronomy celebration for all!

The tradition of AstroMIL, the celebration of astronomy on the MIL campus of the Université de Montréal organized each year by the Trottier Institute for Exoplanet Research in collaboration with numerous partners, continues this year, with the theme “Solar wink”! A unique opportunity to experience a partial solar eclipse with us, and to prepare for the great total eclipse of 2024!

Date: Saturday, October 14, 2023 | 11:00 am to 4:00 pm

Location: Campus MIL | 1375 ave. Thérèse-Lavoie-Roux | Outremont or Acadie metro station

Event details

This year, the AstroMIL coincides with the partial solar eclipse of October 14, 2023. A great opportunity to live this partial eclipse, to meet our Eclipse Ambassadors, to prepare for the Great Total Eclipse of April 8, 2024, and to learn more about this rare phenomenon, during which the Sun is hidden by the Moon.

On the program: kiosks and activities for the whole family, an astronomical photo exhibit, live eclipse presentations from elsewhere in Quebec and North America, drawing of prizes, exposition of telescopes and observation of the Sun (weather-permitting).

It is also your chance to pick up your pair of eclipse glasses, which will allow you to observe the Sun safely on that day, on April 8, 2024, and every day in between and thereafter! There will also be several participation prizes, including great books donated by Éditions Multimondes!

See you on the MIL campus at 11 a.m.!

✨11 A.M. OPENING OF BOOTHS AND ACTIVITIES (ATRIUM)

Several partners (see at the bottom of the page) are joining forces with the Université de Montréal to offer you information booths and fun activities related to eclipses. Come and learn more about science while having fun!

⚠️ 11:45 A.M. | PRESENTATION: HOW TO OBSERVE A SOLAR ECLIPSE SAFELY? (ATRIUM STAGE)

Our Eclipse Ambassadors will explain how to enjoy this unique astronomical spectacle!

ATTENTION: It’s dangerous to stare at the Sun without proper protection, at all time!

☀️🌑🌎 12:11 P.M. PARTIAL SOLAR ECLIPSE BEGINS IN MONTREAL

Go outside (weather permitting) to view the Sun safely with solar filters. Between 12:11 and 1:17, the Sun will be progressively more and more hidden by the Moon. If the weather isn’t cooperating, we’ll be able to experience the eclipse from elsewhere in North America, thanks to a live projection!

🇲🇽 12:45 PM | PRESENTATION: ASTROPHYSICIST NATHALIE OUELLETTE LIVE FROM MEXICO (ATRIUM STAGE)

Live from Mexico, Université de Montréal astrophysicist Nathalie Ouellette describes the eclipse as she sees it from there, as well as her experience seeing a total solar eclipse in 2017.

☀️🌑🌎 1:17 PM PARTIAL SOLAR ECLIPSE MAXIMUM IN MONTREAL (17%)

This is when the partial solar eclipse will be most prominent in Montreal. This eclipse is very modest here: at its maximum, only 17% of the Sun’s surface will be hidden by the Moon.

☀️🌑🌎 2:23 PM END OF PARTIAL SOLAR ECLIPSE

Between 1:17 and 2:23, the Sun will be less and less hidden by the Moon. Still an interesting spectacle!

🔭 2:45 PM | PRESENTATION: LIVE FROM THE PARC NATIONAL DU MONT-MÉGANTIC (ATRIUM STAGE)

Join scientific communicator Guillaume Poulin from the ASTROLab du Mont-Mégantic in the atrium for a live chat from parc national du Mont-Mégantic home to the largest telescope in eastern North America!

👍 3:30 PM | PRESENTATION: HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE ECLIPSE OF APRIL 8, 2024

The eclipse of October 14, 2023 is partial in Montreal. However, in a few months’ time, on April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will take place in our province. A total eclipse is a much more impressive and rare phenomenon than a partial eclipse. Get ready now with this presentation!

🎁 3:45 P.M. CLOSING REMARKS AND DRAW

Stay until the end to enter the draw for a chance to win one of our great prizes (prizes will be announced soon).

✨4:00 P.M. | CLOSING OF BOOTHS AND END OF ACTIVITIES

Links

• Link to event on UdeM Calendar
• Link to Facebook event

An event organized by the Trottier Institute for Research on Exoplanets at Université de Montréal. Thanks to our partners at UdeM (campus MIL de l’Université de Montréal, the Faculté des arts et des sciences de l’Université de Montréal), as well as the Centre for Research in Astrophysics of Quebec, the Observatoire du Mont-Mégantic, the ASTROLab at Mont-Mégantic, AstroPoly, the Fédération des astronomes amateurs du Québec (FAAQ), la Société d’Astronomie de Montréal (SAM), the Société d’astronomie du Planétarium de Montréal (SAPM), the Société d’astronomie de la Montérégie (SAMO), Bettina Forget (artist), TSI Outreach, Éditions Multimondes and the Planck, le café étudiant de physique à l’UdeM.