Join us for a screening of Tara Roberts Zabriskie’s 35-minute documentary film Defending the Dark. It tells the story of protecting the largest dark sky area on the east coast in northern Maine. This area is used as an inspiration for what we can all do in our towns and cities to protect the night sky. Dark sky conservation benefits wildlife and their habitats, reduces health and safety risks to humans, saves energy, and reduces costs. Light pollution has devastating effects on migrating birds, native plants, and pollinators. Defending the Dark will leave you optimistic about the future and empowered to take action.
Following the film, Destin Heilman, amateur astronomer, will give a presentation on the harmful effects of high energy blue light from LEDs and there will be time for questions. If the weather permits, we will move outdoors and Destin will guide us in identifying some astronomical objects at twilight.
Refreshments will be served! Masks optional.
Destin Heilman is a resident of Southborough MA, and a part-time resident of Becket. By day, Dr. Heilman is a faculty member at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in the department of Chemistry and Biochemistry where he teaches and conducts biochemistry research. He has extensive experience in project-based learning and has modernized the way in which chemistry and biochemistry are taught. He holds workshops at conferences and other colleges and universities in innovative design for science education. His disciplinary research focuses on the discovery and characterization of novel virus proteins that have toxicity specifically in cancer cells.
By night, Dr. Heilman turns his attention to the stars. As an amateur astronomer, he has hosted star parties for regional conservation groups and schools, including remote imaging sessions from his custom observatory that he built at his home. As an accomplished astrophotographer, he leverages his images to inspire others to look up, as well as to raise funds for organizations that preserve and cherish the night sky. He has given talks on the harmful affects of high energy blue light from LEDs, advised multiple towns on mitigating light pollution, and written bylaws that help towns to better manage light at night. He is currently working with a group in Becket to craft a bylaw that would protect its treasured dark skies.
Dr. Heilman received his Bachelors degree from Penn State University in Microbiology. He then earned a Doctoral degree from the University of Massachusetts Medical School specializing in Molecular Medicine. In his time away from work, he also enjoys woodworking and clockmaking, mountain climbing, playing the piano, choral singing, and watching Sci-Fi with his wife and son.