Mike Stafford

FREWSBURG — Physics professor Mike Stafford will examine and explain the various motions the earth undergoes as it travels through space, including its interactions with the sun, the moon and the other planets during an upcoming appearance at the Martz-Kohl Observatory at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19.

Also examined will be the motion of the solar system through the galaxy. Along the way each motion will be looked at to explain why it happens and consider what consequences it may have. To do this, some understanding of the physics involved is needed. Those principles of physics, in a non-mathematical way, will be explained.

Stafford, now semi-retired, taught at Penn State University full time and Gannon University as an adjunct professor for 37 years. His primary interest in physics is classical mechanics. Stafford is a licensed airplane pilot with single and multi-engine land certification. He is also a licensed parachute rigger and expert skydiver with 3,700 jumps.

“As a physicist, interested in everything, I am able to speak on any subject, sometimes coherently.,” Stafford said.

The lecture is live at the Martz-Kohl Observatory and available online via Zoom. Those interested can meet Stafford and join in a question-and-answer period after the discussion. If the weather cooperates, there will be tours and viewing opportunities through the big telescopes. For more information, visit martzobservatory.org.