by Dr Claude Cournoyer-Cloutier Thesis defended on July 30, 2025 Department of Physics & Astronomy McMaster University Thesis advisor: Dr. Alison Sills Abstract: Star formation is a clustered process, which naturally leads to the formation of binaries and star clusters. This clustering is most important for massive stars, which most often form in dense clusters and in close binaries. Massive stars are the dominant source of energy in young massive star clusters (YMCs) due

December 19, 2026 The Observatoire du Mont-Mégantic, IREX and l’Université de Montréal mourn the loss of René Racine. René Racine spent his life lifting our eyes to the heavens and, in doing so, lifted an entire generation of Canadian astronomy. Born in Québec City on 16 October 1939, Professor Racine’s career was defined by curiosity, craftsmanship, and a rare combination of practical engineering skill and conceptual boldness that made him a pillar of our astronomical commun

Date: December 17, 2025 In this Issue: Canadian Gemini Office News ngVLA Update Update on CASTOR CCAT/FYST Update SKA Update CFHT News and Updates Dissertation: The Role of Gas in Star Cluster Formation Dissertation: Dynamics and Feedback of Massive Binaries Editor: Dennis Crabtree Cassiopeia is CASCA’s quarterly Newsletter, published on or near the solstices and equinoxes (March 21, June 21, September 21 and December 21). To submit a contribution please email cassiopeia.edit