"Explore the Cosmos" at the Marine Discovery Center on February 15

The Marine Discovery Center’s Public Lecture Series will explore the heavens with its February presentation on astronomy. Derek Demeter, director of the Emil Buehler Planetarium at Seminole State College, will present “Explore the Cosmos” on Thursday, February 15, at 6:30 p.m.

Demeter will discuss the wonders of the night sky with a short indoor presentation before leading guests outdoors to observe the various objects of the cosmos using a telescope. In the event of inclement weather, Demeter will present a longer indoor program on the latest discoveries of the James Webb Space Telescope. Demeter began working at the Buehler Planetarium in 2003. He became the Planetarium Director in 2007, and began writing and producing live/interactive shows for the facility. He served as president of the Southeastern Planetarium Association from 2016-2017, and is currently serving as the Executive-Secretary for the International Planetarium Society. Demeter is also an astro-photographer and his work has been featured in NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day, Astronomy Magazine, as well as in other publications and art galleries.

Guests planning to attend MDC’s astronomy presentation should dress accordingly for outdoor star gazing and wear comfortable shoes to walk on campus to a dark portion of the property. Personal flashlights are recommended for the on-campus walk. MDC’s Public Lecture Series is free, but donations to the center are always appreciated. Pre-registration is requested.

The Marine Discovery Center is located off the North Causeway in New Smyrna Beach. Guests attending the lecture should plan to use Quay Assisi to access MDC due to bridge construction on Barracuda Boulevard. 

For more information about the lecture, contact the Marine Discovery Center at 386-428-4828.