Embark on a ‘Tour of the Universe’ where we start at Earth and journey outward, exploring fascinating celestial wonders along the way. Discover how we study the cosmos and the surprising amount we know—and don’t know—about it.

One essential tool in learning about the universe is spectroscopy. I have glass tubes filled with various gases that light up when electrified, and with the help of special glasses, the class can see the unique light spectrum each element produces. Like a UPC code, every element has its own "fingerprint" that astronomers use to identify the makeup of stars and nebulae. It's an engaging and insightful activity!

Colleen became a member of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) Okanagan Centre club in 2004, and over the years she has been organizing the club's outreach activities, which include setting up telescopes in parking lots and other public spaces for people to watch the beauty of planets and bright stars.