The Canadian Space Agency is committed to leading the development and application of space knowledge for the benefit of Canadians and humanity. The mandate of the Canadian Space Agency is to promote the peaceful use and development of space, to advance the knowledge of space through science and to ensure that space science and technology provide social and economic benefits for Canadians.
Project Partnership Achievement Award
Since the International Year of Astronomy in 2009, Astronomy North has proudly partnered with the Canadian Space Agency on The AuroraMAX Project and The Legendary Sky Project, multi-year education and outreach initiatives designed to raise northern sky awareness in the Northwest Territories, across Canada and around the world. The Canadian Space Agency’s ongoing commitment to space science curriculum development and community outreach has made the northern sky more accessible to teachers, parents and students than ever before.
AURORAMAX LAUNCH 2009 • On February 25, 2009 at City Hall in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, the Canadian Space Agency, City of Yellowknife, University of Calgary and Astronomy North announced the creation of AuroraMAX, an online observatory and outreach project featuring a live broadcast of the northern lights from Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. The project officially launched September 25, 2010 as Solar Cycle 24 began to leave Solar Minimum and push towards Solar Maximum in 2013. (From left to right, Paul Engel, Director, Communications & Public Affairs at Canadian Space Agency; Eric Donovan, Associate Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Calgary; Yellowknife Mayor Gordon Van Tighem; and James Pugsley, President of Astronomy North)
THE LEGENDARY SKY PROJECT LAUNCH 2009 • Canadian Space Agency Astronaut Julie Payette successfully launched into orbit and into history on July 15, 2009 aboard Mission STS-127. As part of the Official Flight Kit aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour, a symbolic diamond from the Northwest Territories named “The Legendary Sky Diamond” became an educational treasure, and is now on display at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre in Yellowknife to raise awareness of the nature, culture and wonder of Canada’s northern sky.
