US Postal Service Star Trails at Mt. Rainier Stamp image released today features AAAPer Matt Dieterich’s stunning Astrophotograph of star trails over Mt. Rainier.

In the USPS Press Release today, Mr. Dieterich is quoted:

“This night was one I will never forget,” said Dieterich, who worked at Mount Rainier as an intern with the National Park Service Geoscientist-in-the-Parks to educate the public on dramatic views of the stars and the effect of light pollution near highly populated areas. “After working with visitors at the Mount Rainier astronomy program on June 22, 2015, I noticed there was an aurora, so I drove down to Reflection Lake to capture it.”

“The location was perfect as it contained a view of Mount Rainier and water for reflections,” he continued. “To create this star trails image I took 200 photos in a two-hour window between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. with my Nikon D750 and 24mm lens set at F/1.4 and ISO 5000. Since the Earth is rotating, each 8-sec. exposure shows stars at slightly different locations. When the photos are combined into one image the stars create a circular pattern around the North Star, which is just out of view at the top of the image. The pink aurora spread throughout the background sky. Mountaineers can be seen with their white headlamps climbing Mount Rainier on the right side of the volcano.”

[Read more…] about AAAP Astroimager Matt Dieterich Mt. Rainier Astroimage US Postage Stamp Image Released Today

It is an opportunity to participate in hands on safe solar viewing and enjoy the day. In combination with the Spring Family Weekend at St. Vincent College in Latrobe the Outdoor Adventure Fest (A.K.A. 14th Annual Westmoreland Earth Day Event) will be held at Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve 1 PM to 6 PM Saturday, April 23, 2016. It will include safe  solar observing and astronomy demonstration as part of a whole schedule of events.

Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh’s delegation is led by member Glenn Smith, MS, MEd and includes a contingent of Astronomy Students from Mr. Smith’s Westmoreland County Community College, Youngwood Campus EPS150 Astronomy Class.  There will be telescope viewing and poster discussion and demonstrations.  This is AAAP’s 13th consecutive year participating in this event. It presents a great outreach opportunity for astronomy and light pollution awarenesss in Westmoreland County and occurs when the club is promoting the star party season schedules. [Read more…] about Solar Astronomy at Sat. Apr. 23 Outdoor Adventure Fest 2016, Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve, Latrobe, PA