Image Of Asteroid That Struck Earth Captured Locally
November 22, 2022
FREWSBURG — Humankind was given three hours of notice before a space rock entered Earth’s atmosphere early Saturday morning. The asteroid was a little over 2 feet across, according to SpaceWeather.com — not exactly an extinction level event. […] Seven observatories, including Martz-Kohl Observatory in Frewsburg, were able to capture images of the event as the asteroid disintegrated in the atmosphere…
Martz-Kohl Observatory to Host Discussion October 19
October 8, 2022
FREWSBURG — Physics professor Mike Stafford will examine and explain the various motions the earth undergoes as it travels through space, including its interactions with the sun, the moon and the other planets during an upcoming appearance at the Martz-Kohl Observatory at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, …
Public Invited To The Martz-Kohl Observatory To Celebrate International Moon Event
September 17, 2022
FREWSBURG — […] International Observe the Moon Night is a worldwide public event that encourages observation, appreciation, and understanding of the moon and its connection to space science, exploration, and human culture. The annual event connects scientists, educators and lunar enthusiasts around the world….
Star Party to shed light on night sky in telescopic demonstration
August 2, 2022
CHAUTAUQUA — On a cloudless night, one can retreat to the shores of Chautauqua Lake and look up at an inky sky aglow with illuminant white specks and the silver claw of the moon. Unbridled by the glares of street lamps and headlights […] A special Star Party will allow Chautauquans to see stars at 9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 3 at the John R. Turney Sailing Center, where telescopes will be stationed for attendees to gaze through…
Observatory to host Speaker
July 18, 2022
FREWSBURG — “The Man on the Moon” will be presented by Ray Garner III, a NASA/JPL Solar System ambassador, live at the Martz-Kohl Observatory at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 20. More than 50 years ago, the United States became the first nation to put a man on the moon. That event is one for the ages and was watched by millions of people worldwide. What is less remembered are all the smaller steps required to get to the Moon. Garner’s talk will take listeners through that journey…
Salamanca HS Book Club goes ‘out of this world’
April 1, 2022
SALAMANCA — The Salamanca High School Book Club held its second meeting March 29 with the motif of “out of this world” and guest speakers Zoomed in from the Martz-Kohl Observatory in Frewsburg […] From Martz-Kohl, presenters Tom Traub, Brian Ceci and John Anderson spoke about many “out of this world” topics such as black holes, imploding stars, UFOs, how we are all made of “star stuff” and how long it would take us to get to other places in space…
Peak Viewing for Perseids Meteor Shower
August 9, 2021
FREWSBURG — “Meteors or shooting stars are particles of space debris that become vaporized in our atmosphere,” Tom Traub of the Martz-Kohl Observatory said. “Most particles are small bits of comet material released by the sun vaporizing the frozen gases or ices they were trapped in…”
Martz makes use of downtime for maintenance
May 13, 2021
FREWSBURG — The Martz-Kohl Observatory has been making the best of downtime caused by COVID-19. And, with a major astronomical event coming up in a few years, if there had to be a shutdown, the timing was pretty good…
Comet Streaking Past Earth, Providing Spectacular Show
July 18, 2020
JAMESTOWN — A newly discovered comet is streaking past Earth, providing a stunning nighttime show after buzzing the sun and expanding its tail. Comet Neowise — the brightest comet visible from the Northern Hemisphere in a quarter-century — swept within Mercury’s orbit a week ago. Its close proximity to the sun caused dust and gas to burn off its surface and create an even bigger debris tail…
Martz-Kohl Observatory Makes Its Lectures Available Online
April 16, 2020
FREWSBURG — The night sky is filled with many stars. Bringing those stars into focus is what Martz-Kohl Observatory does for its members. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the observatory is not open to its members or to the public. According to Gary Nelson, observatory president, the observatory is making some of its lectures available online for people to view. The topics, Nelson said, vary…
Martz-Kohl Observatory Holds Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
October 22, 2019
FREWSBURG — A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Saturday for renovations done at the Martz-Kohl Observatory. Present at the ceremony were Chautauqua County Executive George Borrello; John Davis, Chautauqua County legislature representative District 19; Carroll Town Supervisor Laura Smith, Joanna Dahlbeck, county Chamber of Commerce Community Chamber coordinator; Dennis Webster; and Martz-Kohl Observatory board members …
Ringed Giant of the Sky on Display
August 12, 2019
FREWSBURG — August is Saturn month at the Martz/Kohl Observatory. On Wednesday, August 14, the public is invited to Movie Night to see the latest amazing discoveries at Saturn and learn about NASA’s future plans for exploration of Saturn and its 62 confirmed moons …
‘First Man’ to be shown at Observatory
July 16, 2019
FREWSBURG — In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the historic moon landing, at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday the Martz-Kohl Observatory will be open to the public for a one-time showing of the 2018 biographical drama, “First Man.” “First Man” was released in the United States in October …
Physics Instructor To Speak At Observatory
April 13, 2019
FREWSBURG — Mike Stafford will speak at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Martz Observatory, 176 Robbins Hill Road, Frewsburg. Stafford will discuss “Physics of the Solar System.” The speaker is a former instructor of physics at Penn State-Behrend who has also taught at Mercyhurst University …
A Vision Come True: Spring 2019 Sees Completion
February 11, 2019
JAMESTOWN — Spring, 2019 will see the completion of the Martz-Kohl Observatory’s 10-year expansion project. For readers and guests who have been following the progress, a brief history was recently prepared by long-time member, Richard Carlson, a founding member of the association …
Astronomical
January 10, 2019
FREWSBURG — The Martz-Kohl Observatory is ready to re-open its doors, just in time for two significant events — one astronomical and one social. According to Board Member Tom Traub, the observatory has undergone some renovations for the past several months, making it less than fully available. The …
‘Christmas’ Comet Flashes Across Sky
December 23, 2018
CARROLL — The Wirtanen comet is making a cosmic splash in the world of astronomy, and Martz-Kohl Observatory President Gary Nelson wants the public to bundle up and get outside to see the astral body make its rounds in the December and January night skies. While the observatory itself …
JHS Astronomy Club Fills Students Love Of Space
December 2, 2018
JAMESTOWN — “I have always been fascinated by Greek mythology and the stars and constellations are a big part of it. So, it was natural for me to get involved in the Astronomy Club,” said Jamestown High School senior Hannah Hornyak who has been involved in the club for four years. “Space is so …
Observatory Speaker Shares Wonder For Astronomy
November 15, 2018
FREWSBURG — “I hear about the human condition,” Phil Evans said. “That’s what astronomy is to me.” Evans, a long-time guest speaker for the Martz-Kohl Observatory, delivered another lecture for like-minded visitors who find mutual enjoyment in the science of space and stars. The …
Renovations At Martz-Kohl Observatory To Finish By Fall
August 27, 2018
FREWSBURG — The Martz-Kohl Observatory is continuing to be rebuilt and reworked into a scientific get-away that will soon be able to accompany more visitors. President Gary Nelson said the observatory will still be under construction for the remainder of August and had planned to be open …
Mars Night To Be Hosted At Local Observatory
July 26, 2018
FREWSBURG — At the Martz-Kohl Observatory, one of the largest telescopes in the tri-state area will soon give astronomy enthusiasts the best chance to see Mars as the planet is closer than it’s been in the past 15 years and will be in the next 15 years. Scheduled for 8:30 p.m. to midnight …
Physicist Delivers Presentation About Formation Of Stars
May 17, 2018
FREWSBURG — The universe is full of cosmic bodies, perhaps the most important of which are stars. At the Martz-Kohl Observatory on Wednesday evening, physicist Mike Stafford attempted to explain the intricate makings of these floating balls of gas in space and how they live out their lives …
Observatory in Frewsburg
May 31, 2018
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY — Anyone curious about the brilliant stars and Moon in the sky would benefit from visiting the Martz–Kohl Observatory at 176 Robbin Hill Rd., in Frewsburg, NY. That is where guests are given an opportunity to peer through a telescope to look at the night sky…
Hundreds View Solar Eclipse At Martz Observatory
August 22, 2017
FREWSBURG — Hundreds came out to the Martz Observatory on Monday to view the spectacle that was the solar eclipse. Cars lined both sides of Robbin Hill Road as people walked up to the observatory to view the eclipse. Many individuals placed chairs outside the observatory where they put …
Jamestown Native, NASA Member Talks Mission To Mars
March 9, 2017
FREWSBURG — A round-trip to Mars would take three years. That means you’re away from your family and friends. You’d be in a confined and isolated environment and you would survive on nutrition made of freeze-dried food. You’d be required to exercise every day for two hours just to …
Observing Martz
August 16, 2016
FREWSBURG — On Robbin Hill Road, at the second highest elevation in Chautauqua County, N.Y., sits a pair of domes. Inside the domes are two large telescopes – a 20-inch Cassegrain (reflecting) telescope and a 24-inch Newtonian Reflector.The observatory, associated with the Marshall Martz Memorial …
Dark skies: Best places, times to see stars around Erie
December 11, 2015
ERIE — Knowing where you can find some of the Erie region’s best dark places might enhance your viewing. “If you can stand the cold, wintertime is the best time to see the brightest, most conspicuous objects in the sky — Orion the Hunter, Gemini, Taurus, the Pleiades,″ Penn State Behrend astronomy and physics professor Darren Williams said…
Amazing stargazing
June 29, 2015
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY — Have you ever gazed into the night sky with a sense of curiosity? Have you felt drawn to the heavens, overtaken by a sense of wonder and the desire to know more? Well, thank your lucky stars! People who hold the keys are right here in Chautauqua County! The Marshall Martz Memorial Astronomical …
Dome installed at Martz Observatory
November 7, 2014
FREWSBURG — The Martz Observatory is proud to announce the installation of its second dome to house the Kohl Telescope, generously donated by Dr. Ronald Kohl of Lakewood, N.Y., and relocated to Martz’s newly expanded facility in Frewsburg, N.Y., through a generous grant recently awarded to the Martz …