Backyard Astronomy Basics
September 6, 2026, 9:00pm, 2 hours
with the Backyard Astronomer, Gary Boyle
$40 general admission, $30 Youth (ages 5-14), 4 and under free
FOR 2026 ONLY... Admission to the tour is FREE for guests staying at Four Corners Algonquin! Register for the option at checkout. For guests not staying with us, buy your tickets now!
What does it take to become an astronomer?
According to Gary Boyle—not much more than curiosity, a clear night, and a willingness to look up.
In this welcoming, story-driven session, Gary shares how a simple interest in the night sky grew into a lifelong passion. Along the way, he opens the door for others to do the same—showing that astronomy isn’t reserved for scientists or specialists, but is something anyone can begin, right from their own backyard.
This two-hour experience blends personal storytelling with practical guidance. Gary walks through the fundamentals of getting started: how to find your way around the night sky, what to look for, and how to choose (or not choose) equipment. His approach removes the intimidation factor and replaces it with confidence.
Guests will learn how to identify key constellations, track planets, and locate a selection of well-known deep sky objects—including highlights from the Messier objects catalogue.
The session continues outdoors with guided stargazing, where participants can put what they’ve learned into practice using both the naked eye and Gary’s Dobsonian telescope.
Gary’s perspective is grounded in experience—he has spent decades helping Canadians reconnect with the night sky, and even has a comet named in his honour.
His message remains simple: curiosity is all it takes to begin to discover the night sky.