Dean Regas has been turning Cincinnatians on to the stars for much of the past 20 years. As outreach astronomer and assistant director of the
Cincinnati Observatory Center, Regas has earned a reputation as a local expert in all things celestial, from observational astronomy to star identification and mythology. Thanks to a long-running PBS program, Regas’ passion for astronomy is making an impact on viewers around the world.
In December 2010 Regas became co-host of the PBS program,
Star Gazers, which airs each night on PBS stations around the world, including more than 100 stations in the United States. The program features a new one-minute or five-minute segment each week and provides education on timely astronomy topics, like the one seen in this
video. “The segments are designed to help you find your way around the sky,” Regas says. The program shows people what to look for in the sky, and explains the science behind heavenly sightseeing.
Regas describes his gig as co-host of Star Gazers as “an honor,” and doesn’t mind traveling back and forth to Miami, Florida, once a month on a completely voluntary basis to tape the show. His passion for astronomy and dedication to education motivate him. Donations can help provide funds to support his travel. Some individuals have even donated frequent flyer miles to help make sure Regas and Star Gazers stay on the air. (To make it simple, donations are accepted online at
http://www.cincinnatiobservatory.org/stargazer.html.)
When he isn’t traveling to Miami, Regas educates Cincinnatians, engaging all ages to experience astronomy. “My goal is to try to get people excited about the sky by making it a topic that’s accessible,” he says.
To that end, the Cincinnati Observatory holds monthly events for visitors of all ages on a wide range of topics. Kids and teens can join the Youth Astronomy Club while all age groups can take part in astronomy classes and telescope viewings.
Do Good:
• Donate travel funds or frequent flyer miles to help support Star Gazers.
• Tune in to Star Gazers on PBS
• Support the Cincinnati Observatory by joining, participating in programs or making a donation.