As you look into the night sky, have you even wondered what is up there? What all the little flickering lights are? In February you will have your chance to get those questions answered, when Bert Probst teaches a two-night course on observing the night sky.
Probst, a Cleveland, Ohio native, was an engineer for the NASA Lewis Research Center in Cleveland. However, during the winter season Probst leaves Cleveland behind and comes to a place he loves: Ellicottville. Serving on Holiday Valley’s Ski Patrol and as a Ski School instructor there, Probst is on the slopes six days a week.
After retiring, Probst returned to a natural curiosity that began over 45 years ago when he looked up into the night’s sky.
“I was curious as to finding my way around the sky and finding the constellations,” Probst said. “I purchased a small telescope and that was the start of it all.”
Probst is an amateur astronomer that for the last two Septembers served as a volunteer astronomer at Acadia National Park in Maine. There he gave presentations about the night sky and ran the park’s telescope during public star parties.
Once Laura Flanagan, director of Ellicottville Memorial Library, found out about this she invited Probst to teach a class at the library for all of those who would like to learn a little more about astronomy. This year will mark the second year in a row that Probst will be offering this course at the library.
“It’s for anyone with a curiosity about the night’s sky,” he said. “It’s not a technical course.”
The course will teach people about what we can see in the night sky with our naked eye, binoculars and a small telescope. Targets such as the constellations, the visible planets, the Milky Way, distant star clusters and galaxies will be covered. The subject of light pollution and possible solutions will also be presented.
“There’s a jumble of stars and I hope to make a little sense out of it … so folks can appreciate the beauty and splendor of the night sky,” Probst said.
The class is limited to 15 people and will take place on Feb. 3 and 10 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on both dates. People can enroll in the course by stopping by the library or calling 716-699-2842. The deadline for enrollment is Jan. 28. Last year, the course was so popular that there was a waiting list. If this happens again, Probst will offer the course a second time.
So, what are you waiting for? Learn more about what’s above you with Bert Probst this winter so you can show off to your friends this summer!
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