On Saturday, Aug. 8, the Chesmont Astronomical Society will host their annual outreach event about astronomy, StarFest 2015. This free event will take place at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Park where you’ll have the chance to experience the night sky like you’ve never before.
There will be telescopes, educational activities, presentations and guest speakers. The keynote speaker of the evening is Peter Detterline, current Director of the Boyertown Planetarium at the Boyertown Area School District.
Detterline’s interest in the night sky started at an early age.
“I remember camping when I was younger and looking up at the night sky and seeing a meteor shower and I was completely fascinated,” said Detterline, “and when I grew up, I learned I could study the sky for a living.”
Detterline went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in secondary education in Earth Science and Astronomy from Kutztown University and then a master’s degree in Physical Science of Astronomy and Geology from West Chester University. Along with writing numerous publications, teaching positions, and memberships, Detterline has been with the Boyertown Planetarium for 33 years and is the Coordinator of Astronomy for the Musk Observatory with The Mars Society where he led a crew to conduct maintenance and prepared procedures for the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) in southern Utah in 2013.
Most recently, Detterline was appointed as an ACEAP (Astronomy in Chile Educator Ambassadors Program) Ambassador to Chile. He was one of a group of nine educators, amateur astronomers and planetary personnel to travel to Chile as part of the ACEAP, where he toured and learned about the U.S.-funded astronomy facilities, gained experience with instruments, science and about the research being conducted in the world’s astronomy observatories. Detterline toured the major observatories – the Atacama Large Millimeter-submillimeter Array (ALMA), Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO), the Southern Astrophysical Observatory (SOAR) and Gemini South.
The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) website says, “Each ambassador selected for this new program has already demonstrated a passion for astronomy and remarkable skills at sharing this passion with others in formal and informal educational settings.”
“My friend suggested we should both apply to go to Chile and out of all the applicants, both of us were chosen to go,” said Detterline.
The responsibilities of an ambassador are to emphasize the work the U.S. is conducting in Chile by talking about his experience in Chile.
“This group of highly talented and dedicated educators found a culture that welcomed them as family,” said Tim Spuck with Associated Universities Incorporated (AUI) who oversees the program. “Now Detterline will carry this new understanding of the science, technology, and discoveries being made in Chile back to his local community in the U.S.”
“I write articles, give presentations and shows,” said Detterline. His speech at StarFest 2015 will highlight his experiences in Chile. “It is a beautiful place, the people and the things I’ve learned are amazing. I would love to go back.”
Detterline says events like StarFest are great to bring attention to things like light pollution.
“When you look at the night sky and see the Milky Way, it is jaw dropping and so beautiful and it stirs your imagination, allows you to think in a new perspective and see the beauty of the universe. There is always something new to be discovered.” He goes on to say, “StarFest is a fantastic event, it’s fun, there are prizes and enthusiastic people and great discussions.”
StarFest 2015 begins at 5:30 p.m. where there will be fun for all ages with observation beginning at 9:15 p.m. Rain/cloud date will be held Sunday, Aug. 9, with the backup weekend due to inclement weather will be held Aug. 15 or 16. Event goers are encouraged to bring a blanket, lawn chair and even a picnic and enjoy the evening with educational activities for children, door prizes and to view the wonders of the Universe through amateur telescopes.
The Chesmont Astronomical Society is a PA non-profit organization, the event is free but donations are accepted to support a great cause. For more information on Chesmont Astronomical Society or StarFest, visit <http://chesmontastro.org>. Hopewell Furnace is located at 2 Mark Bird Lane, Elverson.