Darren Williams

FREWSBURG – Dr. Darren Williams, professor of astronomy and astrophysics, will describe what is known about the moon and use facts to debate the merits of old and new ideas for how and when it formed.

Williams’ presentation will be held at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at the Martz-Kohl Observatory, 176 Robbin Hill Road, Frewsburg.

Williams is a professor of astronomy and astrophysics, and planetary science at Penn State Behrend in Erie. In addition to teaching astronomy, he studies the climates, orbits, observable characteristics, and dynamical evolution of planets and satellites. He is perhaps best known for his innovative work on the formation and habitability of exoplanetary moons, as well as the climates of Earth-like planets with unusual spins and orbital shapes. His present work is on the final stages of planetary accretion, the formation of the Moon, and designs for a new miniature space telescope (The “Pale-Blue-Dot” Telescope) to remotely observe the terrestrial planets at sub-pixel resolution.

In addition to being held in-person, Williams’ presentation is available via Zoom. There will also be a question-and-answer session and, weather permitting, public viewing opportunities. For more information visit martzobservatory.org.

The Martz-Kohl Observatory, located at 176 Robbin Hill Road, Frewsburg, is operated by the Marshal Martz Memorial Astronomical Association Inc. a non-profit organization devoted to the amateur astronomer.