Astronomy forum to address science, the night sky and star stories
From staff reports
TRAVERSE CITY – Scientific discoveries in nuclear science, practical tips in astronomy, and the importance of Dark Sky Parks and outdoor lighting will be discussed during the Traverse Astronomy, Philosophy and Energy (TAPE) forum at 7 p.m., June 7, at Northwestern Michigan College’s Milliken Auditorium.
“Putting it all together” is the theme of the free event, which will begin with a keynote address by Marc “Mr. Energy” McKellar, a Grand Vision board member. Featured speakers include Zach Constan of Michigan State University’s National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory, Bob Moler of the Grand Traverse Astronomical Society (GTAS) and host of Interlochen Public Radio’s Ephemeris program, and Mary Stewart Adams of the Outdoor Lighting Forum and Emmett County Dark Sky Park Committee.
TAPE is co-sponsored by the Grand Vision Energy Networking Group and NMC Student Life.
“The goal of the forum is to share the many different facets of astronomy, including the scientific, the observable and the astrosophical,” said forum organizer Carolyn McKellar, a NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador.
Astrosophy weaves astronomy with astrology to create stories about people’s relationship to the stars, a 30-year project of Adams, who was named the Gary R. Williams Dark Sky Advocate of the Year in 2006. Adams’ activism helped result in the designation this year of the Emmett County Headlands as one of five International Dark Sky Parks.
Addressing nuclear science is Constan, who earned a Ph.D. in psychoacoustics from MSU, taught college-level astronomy for three years and is Outreach Coordinator for MSU’s cyclotron laboratory, one of the nation’s largest campus-based nuclear science facilities.
According to the laboratory’s website, scientists use the superconducting cyclotron to try to answer a number of important questions. They hope to discover what forces hold a nucleus together and how, what the origin is of elements in the universe and on earth, and how radioactive isotopes can be used to treat cancer patients, among many other medical and practical applications.
“Most people don’t realize that what they do in their daily lives is a result of these experiments,” McKellar explained. “Nuclear scientists make mini supernovae in machines. It’s exciting and intriguing that the elements of life are created by cosmic supernovae.”
An amateur astronomer for 55 years and radio program host for 35, Moler will share his considerable knowledge of the night sky. He is a GTAS founder, has been a guest lecturer at the Roger Chaffee Planetarium in Grand Rapids and is currently affiliated with Lanphier Observatory in Glen Arbor and NMC’s J.H. Rogers Observatory in Traverse City. His astronomical pursuits range from astrophotography to telescope making and solar eclipse chasing.
The auditorium’s doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and light refreshments will be served. Exhibitors include NASA, GTAS and NMC’s Astronomical Association, a student club. Weather permitting, members of GTAS will set up telescopes for public star-gazing following the forum.
For more information, call McKellar at (231) 590-5964.
