Founded in 1918, the Montreal Centre is part of a Canada-wide network of 27 Centres affiliated under the banner of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.  Our members are hobbyists from all walks of life. Some members look at the sky through telescopes, others through binoculars, or with the unaided eye. Still others are armchair astronomers who don’t observe at all. What they do have in common though is an interest in astronomy.

For over 86 years, the Montreal Centre's primary goal has been to nurture an appreciation and understanding of the universe. There are monthly Observers Group Meetings as well as frequent lectures by amateur and professional astronomers. Although you do not have to be a member to come to our observer group meetings or our lectures, we would appreciate your joining us to help us continue our work.

Many observing outings are organized to our out-of-town observatory at St-Chrysostome or to other dark sky sites. Our astronomical library is first rate. It includes thousands of books, journals, magazines and videotapes. It compliments the numerous publications regularly mailed to each member. 

For more information about the Montreal Centre, read the Benefits of Membership section below and visit the Information for New Members section.  Our Centre has the facilities and the activities to help you develop your interest in astronomy. If your are interested, the Montreal Centre invites you to Become a Member

The Montreal Centre of the RASC has always made bringing astronomy to the general public an important part of its mandate. Star Nights were held in Westmont Park as far back as the mid-1940s and over the years the Centre has brought many celestial events to the community.

Today, for example, the Centre holds binocular-viewing and telescope-viewing sessions for the public at the Morgan Arboretum. One of the most rewarding aspects of this hobby can be felt when hundreds of children, utter ooohs and ahhhs as they look at the sky for the first time through a telescope. The kids will remember their first look through a telescope for the rest of their lives. Their expressions of wonder and awe remind us of the importance of bringing astronomy to children.