Rocks from Space: Shaking Up and Waking Up Astronomers

When meteoroids enter Earth's atmosphere at high speed and burn up, the fireballs or “shooting stars” are called meteors. Some land on earth with a very big splash.

When something new appears in the night sky, everyone takes notice. Historically comets portended gloom and doom as a change to the status quo. When a meteor hits the Earth like the one that exploded above Russia, you can’t help but look up. Join Astronomer Dean Regas as he discusses where these sudden visitors come from and what we can do to protect ourselves from the next, “Big One.” Dean Regas works for the Cincinnati Observatory and will bring some of the most exciting and unique meteorites from their collection and share stories of these space rocks.

Dean is the Astronomer for the Observatory since 2000 and he is a renowned educator, author, national popularizer of astronomy and an expert in observational astronomy. He is most widely known as the cohost of the syndicated television show Star Gazers.

Leave the presentation knowing the difference between Asteroids, Meteors, Meteroids, Meteorites and Comets. Know if to bring an umbrella when the Lyrids, Orionids, Leonids and Geminids shower meteors.

Bring your own meteorite to show.

The program will be well received by every age, and guests are most welcome at our meetings.