Description

The Highlands Bird and Nature Club's final meeting for 2026, is on October 12, at 7 pm at The Highland Center features a 2-in-1 Astronomy Program with two speakers: 

Craig Sarazin on "Gamma-Ray Burst: An Astronomical Mystery Story"; 

Michael Bedwell on "Night Vision" 

Topic Description: Gamma-Ray Bursts -  An Astronomical Mystery Story 

Gamma-ray burst are enormous explosions which herald the birth of black holes. Craig will discuss their accidental discovery, how astronomers came to understand them, and their importance to the jewelry business. 

Speaker Bio: Craig Sarazin Craig is an astronomer who works on high energy astrophysics and cosmology (very large and/or very dangerous objects; Gamma-ray bursts are an example of the former.) He was a professor of Astronomy at the University of Virginia for 47 years and is now retired but continues to do research. He was educated at Caltech and Princeton University and was a post-doc at Caltech and the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton before moving to U.Va. https://uva.theopenscholar.com/craig-sarazin

Topic Description: Night Vision 

Highland County is blessed to have a truly Dark Sky, but this cultural and economic resource is fragile. Find out some simple, common-sense steps you can take to protect it. Then learn about the myriad celestial objects visible with the naked eye, binoculars and telescopes at star parties, Hayfields State Park, and your own backyard.

 Speaker Bio: Michael Bedwell Michael has enjoyed stargazing since 5th grade when his class studied the constellations. The beauty and accessibility of the night sky is one of the main reasons he returned to Highland County upon retirement from public education. He is currently president of the Friends of Hayfields State Park and has just begun the process to have Hayfields certified as a Dark Sky Park by Dark Sky International. 

For more information: pnewlon@htcnet.org