Canada In Space
Featuring Bob McDonald, Chris Gainor, and Randy Attwood
Canadarm with the Hubble Space Telescope
What happens when you put three of the best Canadian space historians in the same place at the same time?
The Centre of the Universe and the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada invite you to find out.
On Thursday evening, September 19th, Bob McDonald from CBC’s Quirks and Quarks, Randy Attwood, an Apollo Mission specialist and Chris Gainor, Victoria author and journalist, will be bringing their expertise together at the Centre of the Universe at the DAO.
Bob McDonald
Bob McDonald host of CBC's Quirks and Quarks for 40 years is truly a household name. He has been part of the Friends of the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory almost since its founding in June 2015.
He is the author of several science books, most recently The Future Is Now and An Earthling’s Guide to Outer Space, and most relevant to tonights discussion, Canadian Skywalkers.
Among his many honors are 12 honorary Doctorates and 2 honorary Degrees. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada since 2011. He has been honoured for his outstanding contribution to the promotion of science in Canada as the recipient of the Michael Smith Award from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, the Sir Sanford Fleming Medal from the Royal Canadian Institute and the McNeil Medal from The Royal Society of Canada.
Chris Gainor
Christopher Gainor is a historian of technology and writer specializing in space exploration and aeronautics. He is the author of six books, and his articles have appeared in various specialty publications and Canadian newspapers.
He holds a PhD in the history of technology from the University of Alberta. His most recent book, Not Yet Imagined: A Study of Hubble Space Telescope Operations, was published in 2021 by the NASA History Division.
Chris is Editor of Quest: The History of Spaceflight Quarterly.
He is also a Fellow and past president of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.
Randy Attwood
Randy Attwood has been looking up at the night sky for over 50 years. He joined The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada in 1970. He has been the President of the Toronto and Mississauga Centres of the RASC, and served both as the Society's National President and its Execuitve Director.
Randy has appeared on CTV, CBC, GLOBAL and the Discovery Channel He's covered 12 space shuttle launches and landings as a journalist and as a Canadian Space Agency photographer.