Lecture: The Study of Stars: Tools of Discovery & How We Use Them

Stars come in an astonishing variety — massive blue supergiants, hyperactive red dwarfs, and strange pulsating yellow stars — yet they begin as little more than points of light in the night sky. So how did humanity come to understand the complex machinery of red giants and supernovae? On Wednesday, July 15, 2026, Dr. Alexandra Yep returns to the Martz-Kohl Observatory with "The Study of Stars: Tools of Discovery and How We Use Them," a general-audience talk that explores the lifecycle of stars and demystifies the instruments astronomers use to decode them. Dr. Yep brings a rare perspective as a poet turned astronomer: after earning a BFA in creative writing from Emerson College, she moved into the sciences, completing an MS in physics at California State University, Northridge, and a Ph.D. in astronomy from Georgia State University. Today she is a visiting professor at Agnes Scott College in Decatur, GA, where she teaches physics and astronomy, researches young star clusters, and directs the historic Bradley Observatory.

The talk takes place live at the Martz-Kohl Observatory and streams online via Zoom, though the public is warmly encouraged to attend in person to meet Dr. Yep and the observatory's astronomy team. Admission is always free, and donations are gratefully appreciated. The evening includes a post-talk Q&A followed by guided tours of the facility, and if skies are clear, it concludes with public viewing through the observatory's large-aperture telescopes. Because the telescope domes are not climate-controlled, visitors are advised to dress for the weather. For Zoom access and more information, visit martzobservatory.org.