Your Morning Matters: There was another astronomy star with Valley ties
Good morning and welcome to Your Morning Matters.
Today is Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020, and when I wondered Tuesday about astronomy ties to the Valley, I referenced 22105 Pirko, an asteroid named for Richard G. Pirko, who was a space science educator for the Ward Beecher Planetarium at Youngstown State University.
Smart readers were quick to point out that one-half of the Hale-Bopp comet discovery also has Valley ties.
Thomas Bopp was a 1967 Chaney High School graduate and attended Youngstown State University where his passion for astronomy led to a membership in the Mahoning Valley Astronomical Society. Decades later, while living in Phoenix, Ariz., he was a part of a group of North Phoenix Alternative Astronomical Society members using a reflective telescope to gaze into the night sky. On July 22, 1995, he observed "a fuzzy little glow."
In nearby New Mexico, at about the same time, observer Alan Hale spotted the same object. Hence, Comet 1995 O1 was born and soon became known as Comet Hale-Bopp.
In 1996-1997, Hale-Bopp's course made it visible to naked eyes on Earth. It will next return to our view around the year 4385, just in time for my 2,425th birthday. That's not a typo. My long-term plan calls for Sweetwood to morph into a Redwood.
Many thanks for kind emails from Richard Tauro, Joe Lowry, Ronald Puhalla and others making the case that we give a nod to the late Mr. Bopp's contribution to astronomy.
Here are more of the things you need to know about what's happening in the Mahoning Valley:
Canfield city council members on Wednesday shot down a measure to allow indoor gun ranges in the city.
The ordinance, which would have allowed Iron Sights Armory owner Debbie Parisi to expand her Railroad Street gun store to include an indoor firing range, became a point of contention for residents who were concerned over the safety of the immediate area, the proposed range's proximity to both Canfield middle and high schools and how a gun range would affect "the city's image." Council members voted the measure down 3-1.
Other matters
Speaking of newsletters: If you're interested in our daily obituaries, we have a new, convenient way for you to get them delivered right to your inbox via our daily obituaries email newsletter (just like you get this missive every day). Sign up here by entering your email and checking the "Daily Obituaries" box."
The Butler Institute of American Art's upcoming exhibit isn't the kind of fine art you'd normally find there — but it's undeniably American. From May 3 to July 5, the museum plans to feature "Steranko and the American Hero," an exhibition of 60 paintings by famed Marvel Comics writer and artist Jim Steranko. He is best known for helping develop Marvel character Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., and for collaborating with George Lucas and Steven Spielberg to design Indiana Jones. Mahoning Matters
Lordstown Village Council approved a 15-year tax abatement for the General Motors-LG Chem battery plant set to begin construction later this year. The 75 percent property tax abatement also has been approved by the Lordstown Board of Education and the Trumbull Career and Technical Center Board of Education. The Business Journal
It resembles a spacecraft inside Center Street Technologies in Youngstown, but it is actually one of the biggest 3D printers on the planet. One of the world's largest hybrid machines, it's the brainchild of Mike Garvey from M-7 Technologies and Chuck George, the CEO of Strangpresse, a Youngstown Business Incubator company. WFMJ
A major push to save the Mahoning Valley Scrappers was made in Niles during a rally Wednesday. Major League Baseball is looking to cut 40 minor league teams across the country, but local supporters say they aren't letting go of the Scrappers without a fight. WKBN
Plans to build a new Meijer on state Route 224 in Boardman are moving forward as crews were seen removing trees and brush from the land across from Creekside Plaza this week. WYTV
A judge has sealed the conviction of former Campbell Police Chief Drew W. Rauzan for his unauthorized use of a law enforcement database while he was chief. His one year of probation ended last August. Dan Kasaris, an assistant Ohio attorney general, who handled the case as special prosecutor, did not object to the sealing. The Vindicator
In case you missed it
Shawn Armstrong returned to the Mahoning Valley and took over as executive director of the Central YMCA of Youngstown, 17 N. Champion St., on Feb. 6. Armstrong grew up at the YMCA of Youngstown, "a safe place," he said, where he played his first pick-up basketball game. "The Y was instrumental in developing my confidence and social abilities." Mahoning Matters
Your comments matter
"God I hope that's the weirdest article I read today."
James La Salandra, on several FCI Elkton inmates filing a $935 billion lawsuit against the U.S. government, claiming they are renouncing their U.S. citizenship to form a new sovereign entity, the Avalon Tribal Government.
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Event of the day
Truckfighters, with special guests Valley of the Sun and Wild Wings, will perform at 7 p.m. tonight at Westside Bowl, 2617 Mahoning Ave. For more information, click here.
To see what else is going on around the Mahoning Valley, check out Mahoning Matters' event calendar here, or click the Events tab on the top menu at mahoningmatters.com.
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This story was originally published February 20, 2020 at 6:55 AM with the headline "Your Morning Matters: There was another astronomy star with Valley ties."