Mario Loreti – Radio Astronomy: Different View of the Cosmos. Mario Loreti, a veteran engineer and amateur radio expert with over four decades of technical expertise in electronics and broadcasting, provided an in-depth exploration into the invisible universe through radio spectrum analysis. Drawing on his experience as a former Chief Engineer for WERG-FM and his 25-year tenure as a Lab Technician at Penn State Behrend, Loreti demonstrated how radio astronomy tunes into a spectrum hidden from the human eye to reveal vital data that traditional optical lenses cannot capture. He bridged the gap between visual observation and radio frequency detection, illustrating how signature celestial sounds and electromagnetic signals add a unique sensory dimension to astronomical study. Loreti further detailed the mechanics of modern radio telescope architectures, incorporating technical lessons from his professional collaborations with astrophysics departments and his current project of constructing a personal radio telescope. © 2026

Stephanie Buskirk Dudley – Artemis II and Beyond: Science and Research. Stephanie Buskirk Dudley serves as NASA’s Moon to Mars Exploration Operations Deputy Director, where she oversees the integration of the agency’s most complex deep-space mission profiles. A structural engineer by training with three degrees from the University of Florida and a licensed private pilot, Stephanie’s distinguished career includes leadership roles within the International Space Station and the Gateway Program. In this presentation—recorded when Artemis II was on the launchpad, Stephanie provides an insider’s look at the mission’s 10-day journey into deep space. She details how NASA is “building in complexity” with each flight, from the upcoming lunar South Pole landing of Artemis III to the development of the Gateway lunar outpost. By studying the effects of radiation and gravity transitions on the human body today, Stephanie and her team are securing the vital data necessary to make a sustained human presence on the Moon, and an eventual journey to Mars, a reality. © 2026

Lee Feinberg – Searching for Extraterrestrial Life with the Habitable Worlds Observatory. Lee Feinberg, NASA Goddard’s Principal Architect for the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO), delivered an in-depth look at the mission’s ambitious goal to directly image Earth-like planets and analyze their atmospheres for chemical signs of life. He detailed the specific architectures and cutting-edge technologies currently under study, emphasizing how the HWO—often described as a “super-Hubble”—will serve as the next-generation successor to the Hubble, James Webb, and Roman space telescopes. Drawing on his experience as the optics lead for the James Webb Space Telescope and his expertise in repairing the Hubble Space Telescope, Feinberg illustrated how the successes and technical lessons of past missions are being directly integrated into the HWO’s development strategy. He further explored the driving science needs that dictate the observatory’s massive scale, providing a comprehensive overview of the engineering roadmap required to detect biosignatures on distant planets. © 2026

Mike Stafford – The Future of Space Flight. Mike Stafford recently returned to the Martz-Kohl Observatory to deliver another informative (and painless) presentation. He took the audience through a brief history of space flight, discussed current and proposed missions to our solar system utilizing technology of the coming decades, and then delved into speculative ways to achieve interstellar travel. True to his style, Stafford wove in accessible physics instruction, making complex principles understandable without relying on mathematical equations, ensuring the audience was “intellectually enriched.” Stafford, now retired, has previously taught at Penn State Behrend and served for 37 years as an adjunct instructor at Gannon University. Beyond his teaching, he’s also an accomplished aviator, a licensed parachute rigger, and an expert skydiver with over 3,700 jumps.  © 2025

Ja:no’s Bowen – Grandmother Moon in Seneca Culture. Grandmother Moon, revered in Seneca culture, guides Earth’s inhabitants through seasons and influences natural rhythms. Her consistent presence in the night sky symbolizes the interconnectedness of all living things and the wisdom of generations past. Learn more about the myths and realities with Ja:no’s (Janine) Bowen, a member of the Beaver Clan of the Seneca Nation. Ja:no’s has taught Seneca language and culture to elementary and junior high school students on the Allegany Territory of the Seneca Nation from 2002 to 2007. In 2007, she became a Seneca language Instructor at Buffalo State College. In 2015, the Seneca Nation Chief of Staff appointed her Allegany Language Director. Ja:no’s holds an Ed.M. from Harvard University Graduate School of Education and an M.P.P. from Harvard University Kennedy School of Government. She currently pursues an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership. Ja:no’s aims to support indigenous students in overcoming unique challenges as they navigate the world. © 2025

Dr. Alexandra Yep – The Study of Stars. Stars exist in an astonishing variety—massive blue giants, small lively reds, and pulsating yellows among them. But how do we know so much about these distant suns? Dr. Alexandra Yep, a poet turned astronomer, explores how astronomers have gone from simply observing points of light to understanding stellar phenomena like red giants and supernovae, and will share the tools they use to unlock these mysteries. Dr. Yep returns to the observatory to help with our summer STEM Space Camp and provide this talk. She earned her BFA in creative writing at Emerson College and then advanced to a Ph.D. in astronomy at Georgia State University and now teaches and researches young star clusters at Agnes Scott College, where she also serves as director of the Bradley Observatory. © 2025

Gary Nelson – The Language of Binoculars. Humanity has long been captivated by the distant, driven by an innate curiosity and practical needs like hunting, navigation, and defense, all pushing us to extend our sight. This desire to clarify the hardly seen led to significant innovations, with binoculars emerging as one of the most accessible tools to enable viewing of objects at a distance. These portable instruments, essentially two refracting telescopes, offer comfortable, three-dimensional viewing by delivering identical images to both eyes. Optical expert and former observatory president, Gary Nelson, leads the presentation and discussion, explaining key terms like magnification, objective size, exit pupil, field of view, and prism. Gary is exceptionally qualified for this, holding an optical engineering degree in Ophthalmic Dispensing and boasting over four decades of experience as a board-certified and licensed Ophthalmic Dispenser. His extensive background includes crafting optical lenses and telescope mirrors, as well as repairing various optical instruments like binoculars, gun scopes, and microscopes. © 2025

Corey Swanson – Seestar and Chill: Amateur Astronomy Made Easy. The wonders of the universe are now more accessible than ever, and in this talk, you’ll discover why. Martz-Kohl Observatory President Corey Swanson provided an insightful presentation on the ZWO Seestar series of smart telescopes. He illustrated how these groundbreaking, all-in-one devices are transforming both astronomy and astrophotography, empowering people of all skill levels, from total novices to experienced stargazers, to enjoy the cosmos. Corey covered how these powerful and affordable instruments function, guided viewers through their setup and use, and shared breathtaking images captured using them, truly highlighting their capabilities. He also addressed questions throughout the session. Corey is a lifelong astronomy enthusiast, actively engaging in both visual observation and astrophotography. His interests also extend to amateur radio where he holds an extra class license. Committed to community outreach, he established the Library Telescope Loan Program for local libraries. Professionally, he serves as a 911 Emergency Dispatcher for Chautauqua County and is a Councilman for the Town of Poland, residing in Kennedy, NY, with his wife and family. © 2025

Walt Pickut – Lost in Space: Space Exploration in Transition. The Martz-Kohl Observatory hosted a public forum on evolving funding and staffing changes at NASA, NOAA, and other federal science agencies. Committed to presenting all sides, Martz-Kohl invited the community to a respectful, fact-based discussion on whether the US would maintain space leadership, reshape its program for greater advances, or profoundly reevaluate its science programs. Board member Walt Pickut, who moderated, acknowledged the strong feelings surrounding these changes, stating the goal was to provide clarity for individuals to form their own fact-based opinions. Walt is a freelance writer and former editor at the Jamestown Gazette. He holds degrees in biology and communication, human physiology, and mass communication. Walt passionately advocates for science, inspiring citizens to appreciate nature’s wonders and understand its role in advancing humanity.  © 2025

Torin McCoy – The Human Nature of Lunar Dust Risk. Understanding lunar dust risks to human exploration involves more than technical concerns. Torin McCoy’s presentation explores how risk communication and perception complicate managing these hazards. He provides insights into lunar dust challenges and shares how balance, credibility, and discernment are essential concepts for NASA’s work and our daily lives. Torin McCoy, a decades-long expert on hazard impacts on human health and performance, joined NASA in 2003. At Johnson Space Center, he became fascinated by lunar dust and its risks. His work highlights how individuals and organizations process risk information and the importance of balance, credibility, and trust in decision-making.  © 2025

Margaret Verrico – Galaxies: From Spiral to Elliptical. The Universe is home to an incredible variety of galaxies—vast and awe-inspiring collections of stars, gas, dust, and dark matter. How did these diverse types of galaxies come to be? Margaret (Maggie) Verrico takes us on a journey through the evolution of galaxies, explaining how they formed in the early Universe and how they’ve transformed into the diverse population of galaxies we observe today. Maggie, a Ph.D. student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, studies galaxy evolution and supermassive black holes. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Physics from the University of Pittsburgh in 2021. She is interested in the how and why galaxies stop forming stars and transient events around black holes.  © 2025

Erica Messmer – When Stars Attack – Nearby Supernovae and Earth. What happens when a massive star reaches the end of its life? It explodes in a brilliant burst known as a supernova, releasing vast amounts of energy and creating the heavy elements that make up the Earth—and even our bodies. Erica Messmer explores the fascinating world of supernovae and their cosmic aftermath. Erica’s journey to astronomy is anything but typical. After spending a decade as a chef, she returned to school to earn her B.S. in Physics from Northeastern Illinois University. She is now pursuing a Ph.D. in Astronomy at the University of Illinois. Outside of her academic work, Erica enjoys spending time with her cats and knitting.  © 2025

Dr. Darren Williams – How Did the Moon Form? One current theory is that when the Earth was young – less than one-hundred millions old – a planet hit the Earth. If true, then the Moon might have formed out of the collision debris launched into orbit around the devastated Earth. Another theory is that the Moon was captured by the invisible hand of gravity without a collision. Is one of these correct? How are we to know? In this talk, Dr. Darren Williams describes what is known about the Moon and uses facts to debate the merits of old and new ideas for how and when it formed. Dr. Williams is a Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics, and Planetary Science at Penn State Behrend in Erie Pennsylvania. In addition to teaching astronomy, he studies the climates, orbits, observable characteristics, and dynamical evolution of planets and satellites.  © 2024

Dr. Jim Spann – Auroras and Eclipses: What’s the Big Deal? This year (2024), we were very fortunate to witness a couple of impressive natural events: a total solar eclipse in April and a spectacular auroral display in May. What do these events have in common and why should we care about them? This talk, by Dr. Jim Spann from NOAA, explores the connection between these two phenomena, why we should understand and study them, and how they impact society. Dr. James F. (Jim) Spann, Jr. is the Senior Scientist for Space Weather at NOAA’s NESDIS Office of Space Weather Observations (SWO). He is a renowned space weather scientist with extensive experience at both NASA and NOAA. With a strong background in physics and a career dedicated to studying space phenomena, he has made significant contributions to the field.  © 2024