Radio Astronomy
A Different View of the Cosmos

This family friendly talk will be live at Martz-Kohl Observatory and available online via Zoom. You are encouraged to come to the observatory to meet Mario Loreti and to join in what could be a lively Q&A after his talk. Following the talk and Q&A, the observatory will offer tours, and weather permitting, attendees will have the opportunity to experience viewing through the observatory’s telescopes. Dress appropriately for outdoor weather as the observatory domes are not heated or cooled.

While traditional telescopes rely on visible light and infrared, radio astronomy tunes into a spectrum that remains hidden from the human eye. Mario Loreti’s presentation will bridge the gap between visual observation and radio spectrum analysis, explaining how radio telescopes provide vital data that optical lenses simply cannot capture.

The evening promises a unique multi-media experience. Attendees will explore the mechanics of the electromagnetic spectrum and the various types of radio telescopes used today. The audience will experience sounds, in the form of audio derived directly from celestial objects, that add an entirely new dimension to astronomical study and the wonder of the universe.

Mario Loreti brings over four decades of technical expertise to the Martz-Kohl Observatory. His fascination with the stars began in his teens with a 3″ Edmund reflector, evolving alongside a professional career in electronics and broadcasting.

A former Chief Engineer for WERG-FM and a DJ for WLVU-FM, Loreti spent 25 years at Penn State Behrend. During his tenure as a Lab Technician in the School of Engineering, he supported faculty research and collaborated closely with the astrophysics department. Now a volunteer for the Yahn Planetarium and a licensed amateur radio operator, Loreti is currently constructing his own personal radio telescope.

“I’ve always been interested in general astronomy,” says Loreti. “But to be able to hear signature sounds using radio telescopes is uniquely interesting. It adds another dimension to astronomy that many people have never experienced.”

 

Zoom Meeting

A non-member donation of $5.00 is appreciated but not required for presentations and events.  You can donate on our donation page. Thanks!

Time: Mario 18, 2026 at 7:30 PM, Eastern Time

Topic: Mario Loreti
Meeting ID:  849 0931 4375
Passcode: program

Click the “One Clink Link” shown below. When prompted, click “open zoom.us” in the dialog shown by your browser. If you don’t see a dialog, click the blue “Launch Meeting” in the webpage.

One Click Link: Mario Loreti Zoom

Zoom URL: TBD – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84909314375?pwd=t83oU9wQt9ur5fGjJ5K7QDumdYczUp.1

Manual dial-in: +1 646 558 8656
Meeting ID:    832 6581 6439
Passcode: 8130128

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/knN1Q5yl2