By Jakob Ryan / Jambar Contributor
Few people can look up at the night sky and point to where they’ve discovered a galaxy, but Youngstown State University’s Patrick Durrell is one of those few.
Since joining the YSU faculty 21 years ago, Durrell has been a professor of physics and astronomy and the director of Ward Beecher Planetarium.
Not only does Durrell teach about the universe, he studies it as well. Durell and a team of scientists submitted a proposal to get time on the James Webb telescope, and they were approved.
They are currently continuing their study of a galaxy in the Virgo galaxy cluster. Durrell and his team were given this time with the James Webb Space Telescope and are currently waiting on the results to come back from the data recorded.
“It could be tomorrow, for all I know, actually, that we get the data,” Durrell said.
Over the last 20 years, Durrell has been part of numerous projects utilizing the Hubble Space Telescope. In fact, he and a team of scientists discovered a new galaxy during that research. Durrell said there are notable differences between the two telescopes.
“The James Webb telescope is a newer, bigger telescope, so it collects more light, and it primarily works in the infrared spectrum, whereas Hubble is mostly geared towards the optical,” Durrell said.
When Durrell isn’t doing research, or teaching class, he and Curt Spivey, planetarium engineer and show producer, are planning the variety of shows offered at the planetarium during the fall and spring semesters.
During most weekends, the planetarium offers shows Friday and Saturday nights with matinees Saturday afternoons. Admission is free for everyone, but they do accept donations. Shows are open to the public.
Durrell said the planetarium has been off to a good start this year with the shows drawing many people to the university.
This opportunity to see free shows at the planetarium helps to create an accessible weekend event for nearby residents or anyone in the area on the night of a scheduled show.
Durrell said a new show this month, “Passport to the Universe,” offers audiences unique features.
“Once in a while, we buy a new show that we can show over the entire dome,” Durrell said. It will be our signature show in February. It will also be the first time the public gets a chance to see the show.”
With so much semester left, Durrell advises students to take the opportunity to see exactly what the planetarium has to offer.
“We want to keep doing cool stuff, and we want people to come and experience new things all the time in the planetarium,” Durrell said.
For a list of planetarium shows and more information, those interested can visit wbplanetarium.org.