Torin McCoy will be tonight's speaker, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. at the observatory.

                                   "The Human Nature of Lunar Dust Risk Communication”

Understanding the risks posed by lunar dust to human exploration is a complex challenge that extends beyond technical concerns. In his upcoming presentation, Torin McCoy will talk about how the human element—risk communication and perception—complicates efforts to manage these hazards. Attendees will gain insight into lunar dust challenges while exploring the often-undervalued concepts of balance, credibility, and discernment. These ideas, essential to NASA’s work, resonate equally in our daily lives, offering lessons for a post-COVID world where effective risk communication is more critical than ever.  Mr. McCoy has spent decades exploring how hazards impact human health and performance. 

Initially focused on soil contamination on Earth, his career took a celestial turn when he joined NASA in 2003. At Johnson Space Center, Mr. McCoy became fascinated by the history and challenges of lunar dust and its risks to human exploration. His work has highlighted the intricate ways individuals and organizations process risk-related information and the importance of balance, credibility, and trust in decision-making processes.  Mr. McCoy serves as a scientist and exploration integration leader with NASA's Human Health and Performance Directorate.  A Texas native, he earned  degrees from Texas A&M University and Clemson University and began his career working for the State environmental agency in Texas. There, he studied contaminants in the food chain and tackled hazardous waste issues on Superfund sites.  Outside of work, Mr. McCoy cherishes time with his wife of 32 years and their two grown children.  An enthusiastic lover of the outdoors, he enjoys hiking, studying trees, exploring Indian artifacts, and delving into history. 

This talk will be shown on the big screen at the Martz-Kohl Observatory and available online via Zoom. You are encouraged to come to the observatory to virtually meet Torin McCoy and join in our always lively Q&A after his talk. If the weather permits, there will be public viewing opportunities. More info: https://martzobservatory.org  The Martz-Kohl Observatory, located at 176 Robbin Hill Road, Frewsburg, NY, is operated by the Marshal Martz Memorial Astronomical Association, Inc., a non-profit organization devoted to the amateur astronomer. The emphasis of the association is observational astronomy, well- rooted in education outreach and enjoyment of the starry skies.