Montauk Observatory will welcome Brother Guy Consolmagno, S.J., the Director of the Vatican Observatory, and Professor Dan Davis during Turn Left At Orion: After 30 Years of Turning, Are We There Yet? – a free lecture at the Ross School Senior Thesis Center in East Hampton. Taking place on Saturday, March 4th, at 7 pm., the fascinating event will treat attendees to a riveting behind-the-scenes look at Turn left at Orion – an exceptional exploration of the night sky and the use of small telescopes that was co-written by Consolmagno and Davis.
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Turn Left at Orion was dubbed the “bible” for amateur astronomers. (Courtesy Photo) |
“Montauk Observatory is honored to host two such distinguished speakers as Brother Guy Consolmagno and Prof. Daniel Davis,” shared Donna L. McCormick, Montauk Observatory Executive Director. “They are not only distinguished researchers in their respective fields of astronomy and geoscience, but have written a seminal guidebook to the night sky which has become a classic tool for amateur astronomers of all levels.”
Turn Left at Orion has impressively sold over 100,000 copies since its first publication. It provides readers with an in depth look at everything you need to spot an entire host of celestial objects. Dubbed the “bible” for amateur astronomers, the guidebook is a quick and easy way to learn the ropes of stargazing. At the lecture, co-writers Consolmagno and Davis will share their journey to completion and the missteps they had along the way.
The Vatican Observatory is situated in the papal summer gardens right outside of Rome – with a modern telescope in Arizona. Prior to joining the Vatican Observatory, Consolmagno completed his doctorate research at Harvard and MIT, and then joined the Peace Crops in Kenya, where he taught astronomy and physics. In 1989, he joined the Jesuits and then in 1993 he joined the Vatican and became their astronomer and curator of the meteorite collection. Along with Turn Left at Orion, he also penned five other books, including God’s Mechanics: How Scientists and Engineers Make Sense of the Universe.
Davis serves as the Chair of the Department of Geosciences at Stony Brook University. His main areas of research have been in the tectonics plate collision, but he has maintained a life-long interest in astronomy.
“We’re pleased to be able to offer our South Fork neighbors this event which not only promises to be educational, but a lot of fun as well,” added McCormick.
Admission to Turn Left At Orion: After 30 Years of Turning, Are We There Yet? is free, however a $10 donation is suggested.
Ross School Senior Thesis Center is located at 18 Goodfriend Road in East Hampton. For more information, visit www.montaukobservatory.com.
