Campus and Cosmos Walking Tour

About the Tour

As we journey around the University of Toronto campus, discover how astronomy has grown in parallel with the university, the city, and the country. Although we now think of astronomy in terms of scientific exploration and discovery, it is also embedded in every culture. This walk encourages participants to explore the diversity of astronomy: how its practical applications have deep cultural and historical roots, not to mention a place in our educational systems and provided an enjoyable hobby for thousands of Canadians. 

This tour will be led by John Percy, Professor Emeritus, Astronomy & Astrophysics, University of Toronto, where he has worked for six decades. He is internationally known for mentoring undergraduate research students, and for encouraging and facilitating research in astronomy by skilled amateur astronomers.

Alternate dates

This tour will also take place on Saturday, July 20 at 11am.

Further Information

This tour runs rain or shine and lasts approximately 90 minutes. Please wear comfortable walking shoes and consider bringing sunscreen and water to make your tour as enjoyable as possible.

This tour covers approximately 2 kilometers in distance, and takes place mostly on city sidewalks. Please be aware there are some grade changes on the route.

This tour uses individual audio headsets. All registered participants will be provided with an individual headset that will allow you to hear the live tour guide throughout the tour.

If you share our passion for accessible and inclusive heritage programming, we invite you to make a donation while on the tour to help fund one of our next walks. Staff can accept donations via credit or debit card onsite, and gifts of $20+ will receive a charitable tax receipt. Cash donations will not be accepted.

If you have any questions prior to the tour, please contact us at [email protected]