Radio Astronomy: A Different View of the Cosmos

The Martz-Kohl Observatory invites you to a presentation by veteran engineer and amateur radio expert Mario Loreti on March 18 at 7:30 p.m. ET. His lecture, “Radio Astronomy: A Different View of the Cosmos,” explores the spectrum of the universe hidden from the human eye. While optical telescopes rely on visible light, radio astronomy provides vital data that lenses cannot capture. Loreti will bridge these two worlds using a multi-media approach, including audio derived from celestial objects.

Mario Loreti brings over 40 years of technical expertise to the observatory. A former Chief Engineer for WERG-FM and Lab Technician for the Penn State Behrend School of Engineering, Loreti has spent decades collaborating with astrophysics departments and supporting faculty research. Now a volunteer for the Yahn Planetarium and a licensed amateur radio operator, he is currently constructing his own radio telescope to further study the signature sounds of the stars.

The event will be held live at the observatory (176 Robbin Hill Rd, Frewsburg, NY 14738) and streamed via Zoom. A Q&A session will follow the talk, and weather permitting, the observatory will be open for public viewing. Please note that while the lecture room is heated, attendees should dress for the outdoors if they plan to participate in tours or telescope viewing. Further details and the Zoom link can be found at martzobservatory.org