CBC Radio One in Montreal's 'Eye on Science' columnist Andrew Fazekas kicks off his monthly IYA featurettes on February 4th at 12:35 pm. In studio to talk about the connection between art and astronomy, and her own unique artwork is space artist Bettina Forget, an avid stargazer, owner of the Visual Voice Gallery in Montreal and Director of Exhibitions of the International Association of Astronomical Artists (IAAA).

Listen to live streaming and archived shows online at: www.cbc.ca/radionoonmontreal/science.html

In the South:

Mathieu Akerley-Guay, a member of the team from Aster, the public observatory and interpretation centre in the lower Saint Lawrence region, will be spending the next month touring French-language schools in Louisiana.  The students will be experiencing Galileo Moments through participation in educational workshops in astronomy using the Starlab portable planetarium.

In the North:

Gilles Boutin, a Northern Lights photographer, will be joining his friend Sylvain Serré, a teacher in Salluit in Nunavik (northern Québec) to take pictures of the aurora at the beginning of April. Together, they will put on workshops in astronomy in the two local schools during 100 Hours of Astronomy, and thus bring Galileo Moments to the Inuit community.

CASCA is pleased to announce the successful applications for Galileo Lecture Series speakers, as well as a second competition. The portion of the cost of these lectures paid by CASCA has been raised in donations from its members specifically to celebrate and promote astronomy awareness during the International Year of Astronomy.

Applicants will be applying for one of ten remaining Galileo Lecture Series lectures.   

More information about the Speakers, topics, and Application deadlines.

On Friday 9 January Toronto's internationally renown Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra premiered their beautiful new work programmed and scripted for IYA 2009 by Alison Mackay (bass) at the Banff Centre.  Under lightly overcast skies, members of the Calgary RASC Centre, TELUS World of Science and the University of Calgary set up telescopes for viewing Venus, the Moon and bright stars before the concert, during the interval, and afterwards.  With great care for  historical and astronomical accuracy, Tafelmusik's thoroughly engaging programme combines sumptuously played music of the times  with narration by Shaun Smyth of words from Galileo, Newton and other historical figures, all performed against a backdrop of beautiful images suggested by Alan Dyer. The electrifying atmosphere arising from the combination of beautiful music, images, inspiring words and observing opportunities provided by the enthusiastic, knowledgeable RASC members was thoroughly enjoyed by all,