The Waterloo Centre for Astrophysics brought Waterloo’s portable planetarium to Luther Village on the Park to celebrate a resident's 105th birthday
On April 30, residents of Luther Village on the Park stepped into the cosmos without leaving home. The retirement home hosted the Waterloo Centre for Astrophysics (WCA) to an afternoon that paired cutting-edge astrophysics with an immersive journey through space inside Waterloo’s portable planetarium, the Astro-Bubble.
The visit was sparked by an extraordinary milestone. Violet, a Luther Village resident, recently marked her 105th birthday. After visiting WCA in December 2025, she left with a deepened curiosity about the universe and a clear desire to keep learning. That curiosity became the catalyst for bringing the Centre’s outreach programming directly to her and her neighbours’ home.
The featured lecture was delivered by Avery Broderick, professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. His talk, “Resolving the Lives of Black Holes,” offered a window into one of the most significant scientific achievements of recent years. Drawing on his work with the Event Horizon Telescope collaboration, Broderick shared how astronomers captured the first image of Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the centre of the Milky Way.
“It’s always very gratifying to engage with audiences that are excited about astronomy and astrophysics, and an honour to be able to participate in such an extraordinary milestone,” said Broderick.
The event drew a full audience, including residents, family members and some University of Waterloo retirees and alumni. The strong connection to the University was evident throughout the afternoon. “I was amazed by the many stories people shared about their connections to the University of Waterloo specifically and science more generally,” Broderick said.
Following the lecture, Broderick and Graham Murphy, Associate Dean of External Affairs in the Faculty of Science, presented Sykes with a signed photograph of Sagittarius A*. The image reflects the international effort behind the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT)and recognizes Sykes’s enthusiasm for astronomy.
Guests were also invited to experience the Astro-Bubble. The inflatable planetarium is part of WCA’s outreach program and has delivered more than 500 shows since launching in November 2022 to engage school-aged audiences throughout Ontario. At Luther Village, it offered residents the opportunity to explore the night sky, learn how astronomers study the universe, and observe galaxies, nebulae and black holes in an interactive setting.
“It was a fantastic experience to see the residents looking around at galaxies and black holes, asking questions, and taking in the incredible sights from our Universe,” said Roan Haggar, Outreach Coordinator with WCA. “It reminds us that the sense of wonder and discovery isn't unique to any group of people. It is something we can all take part in.”
Residents responded with enthusiasm and appreciation. Many shared that they had never experienced anything like the Astro-Bubble before. Others took time to speak with members of the Faculty of Science and the Science Advancement team, reflecting on their own connections to Waterloo and their interest in current research.
For Sykes, the event reflected a lifelong commitment to learning. “Never stop observing, learning and being curious,” she said. “It adds zest to your life, for all the days of your life, even at 105.”
The visit highlights the Faculty of Science’s commitment to outreach, community engagement and lifelong learning. It also demonstrates that curiosity about the universe continues to inspire across generations.
