Dark Matter Day: Observatory Tour and Science Talk with Prof. Kyle Leach
What shapes a galaxy if we can’t see it? Find out how physicists approach that question at Dark Matter Day 2026, a special Queen’s Observatory open house in Kingston on Saturday, November 14. The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. in Stirling Hall Auditorium with a talk by Professor Kyle Leach, followed by a visit to the Queen’s Observatory.
How do you look for something you can’t see?
Dark matter doesn’t give off light, so a telescope can’t show it the way it shows a star or a planet. Scientists infer its presence from its gravitational effects, including how stars move within galaxies. That leaves a bigger question: what is dark matter made of? Researchers are looking for an answer by designing experiments that might catch a sign of an interaction with ordinary matter.
Professor Leach’s talk explores how astroparticle physicists look for those signs and what dark matter might tell us about the history of the universe. If you’ve ever wondered how researchers can tell the difference between evidence for something unseen and a gap in what they know, this is a chance to hear how they tackle the problem.
From Stirling Hall to the Queen’s Observatory
The talk is the first stop of the evening. Afterwards, visitors will have the opportunity to visit the Arthur B. McDonald Canadian Astroparticle Physics Research Institute and tour the Queen’s Observatory in Ellis Hall. Weather permitting, visitors can also look through the observatory’s telescopes. The tour offers a chance to see where Queen’s observes the night sky after hearing about a mystery that visible light alone can’t resolve.
Plan your visit
Start at Stirling Hall Auditorium, 64 Bader Lane, Kingston. The organizer advises that access to the building is limited while a new accessible ramp is being installed. If you need assistance, email events@mcdonaldinstitute.ca before heading out.
When: Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Stirling Hall Auditorium, Queen’s University, followed by a tour in Ellis Hall
Admission: Free
More information: Queen’s Observatory Open Houses
