2023 Speaker List

Steve Conard

Title: “Observing Asteroids With Stellar Occultations”

Steve Conard is an optical systems engineer who is retired from the Johns Hopkins Univ. Applied Physics Laboratory. His teenage interest in Astronomy and telescope making led him to  career of building and testing optical hardware for a number of NASA missions including the

New Horizons mission to Pluto and beyond. After a 25-year break, his interest in amateur astronomy was rekindled. He is past President of the APL Astronomy Club and is a member of the Howard Astronomical League, the Westminster Astronomical Society and the International Occultation

Association.

Roxanne Kamin

Title: “From Sydney to Perth, Crossing the Australian Night Sky”

A three-week expedition to Australia to observe asteroid occultations for the Southwest Research Institute/NASA. As an avid amateur astronomer and fly fishermen, Roxanne has viewed night skies from four continents, spanning both the Northern and Southern hemispheres, including three trips to Australia with Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) / NASA. In April, she was a 2023 ProAM speaker at NEAF. Retired from IBM and residing near Hershey, she is active in measuring asteroids with SwRI along with the International Occultation Timing Association (IOTA), and can be found most clear nights observing at Cherry Springs or at the Naylor Observatory, home of the Astronomical Society of Harrisburg.

Jon Nese

Title: “Where does the Clear Sky Chart come from and how does Cherry Springs help?”

Jon Nese is a senior lecturer in Penn State’s Meteorology Department. He is writer/producer/host of the Television program, “Weather World”.

Larry McHenry

Title: "Planetary Nebula: From Messier to Abell (What are they, and How to Observe Them)".

Planetary Nebula,,,,,, Colorful ephemeral ghosts, luminescent wispy shells of dying stars. Little crystal ball gems in the night sky, delighting amateur astronomers using small or large telescopes.,,, So today, I would like to bring these ethereal objects ‘down to Earth’ by discussing what they are, why we call them that, some of the people, both historical and modern, behind these objects, and how to go about observing them.

Larry McHenry has been active in amateur astronomy for over 40 years, and is a member of both the Kiski Astronomers in the Pittsburgh area, and Oil Region Astronomical Society . His favorite astronomical activities include deep-sky video-astronomy, studying the mythology of the night sky, and learning the history of the 19th century astronomers. Larry is currently working on a project to video-observe all 2400 Herschel Objects, along with collecting dark nebula and Arp peculiar galaxies. You can learn more about his astronomical interests and his home observatory online at his webportal: http://www.stellar-journeys.org/

Skip Bird

Title: “Fun With Physics Two or Why Newton Was All Wet” (Kids’ program)

Come and join us for a morning of fun science adventures at the pavilion. We will explore the Universe by using the most powerful word known to mankind - the “I” word. (If you don’t know what this is, come on out and find out.). We will build and launch a water rocket cot carry us into space to explore a star in the daytime. Learn fun and unique ways to leave the planet and still get back in time for lunch. Time machines provided by the Westminster Astronomical Society.

Colin McFarland

Title: “A Beginners guide to Astrophotography”

Description or presentation: My talk will be on beginning astrophotography for those who don’t have much knowledge in the subject or for those who are looking for ways to better their experience. I will go over my normal night of imaging from beginning to end, starting off with planning and going in depth through every step of the process. I will give pointers and tips as well as show my images and some of my first ever images to show people astrophotography through a beginners view.

Colin McFarland is an amateur astronomer and astrophotographer out of Bellwood Antis Pennsylvania. He started studying the subject of astronomy about five years ago and got his first telescope three years ago. After going to a tech school in his sophomore year of high school and taking a photography and video class, his interest in astrophotography bloomed. He has been imaging the stars ever since .

Tom Reinert

Title: “The International Dark Sky Association as DarkSky International, It’s Strategic Plan to fight light pollution and how amateur astronomers can help.”

Tom Reinert is an environmental activist and dispute resolution consultant. Board member and officer in light pollution and water pollution non-profit organizations. Retired former partner with international law firm Morgan Lewis with 40 years experience in negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and litigation of complex, national labor and employment disputes and and over 20 years experience in counseling and litigation of legal ethics issues.

Scott M. Morgan and Maxine Harrison

Title: “Report on Cherry Springs State Park and the CSSP Dark Sky Fund Activities.”

Scott Morgan is the Assistant Park Manager the manager of Cherry Springs State Park, operated by the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Bureau of State Parks. He will report on the latest developments and activities at Pennsylvania’s Dark Sky Astronomy Park. The park has been designated a Gold Level Dark Sky Part by the International Dark Sky Association. Maxine Harrison will also discuss activities of the Cherry Springs Dark Sky Fund, which supports activities and astronomy-related improvements at the Park which we enjoy.

Title: “Gotta ‘scope? Got questions? Ask the astronomers.”

An Informal telescope and equipment discussion - in the field in front of the pavilion. This casual, open walk-in workshop is being hosted by ASH members to help answer questions regarding the use of telescopes, eyepieces and astronomy charts / gear in general. While not a "stump the chump" sort of session, we invite and welcome both seasoned and novice observers to stop by with your persistent question or two. ASH members will be on hand to help answer those questions and to help you become a better observer in enjoying the night sky.