D&R Greenway Land Trust Invites Public to a Virtual Evening Program of Astrophotography: Stars and Constellations over Hopewell’s St. Michaels Farm Preserve 

Virtual Happy Hour: The Sky’s the Limit

WHEN: Wednesday March 31, from 5:00 until 6:00 PM
WHERE: Space for this popular program is limited to 100 participants.  To receive the free link to the program, register at rsvp@drgreenway.org. 
More information is available at www.drgreenway.org

D&R Greenway begins its new offerings of popular educational Virtual Happy Hours with a unique program that will leave participants in awe of the night skies. 

This virtual program provides opportunities to view vast arrays of stars and constellations literally found overhead of our own backyards. Experience the superb photography achieved with a telescope and special photographic equipment over our St. Michaels Farm Preserve, with physicist Taylor Blanchard. He chose our Hopewell preserve because "The skies over St. Michaels Farm Preserve are about as good as it gets in New Jersey!"

Our local skies have been rich in "star" phenomena lately. Key events commenced with the July 2020 arrival of Comet NEOWISE, brightest in decades, in the Northern Hemisphere. Scientists are still buzzing over the 'Christmas Star' conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn, visible in night sky for the first time in 800 years.

D&R Greenway President and CEO, Linda Mead, said, “There has been a lot going on over our heads! Physicist Taylor Blanchard (below) views our Hopewell preserve as the perfect location for astrophotography, with its expanses of open fields and (that rare phenomenon!) ‘some of the darkest skies in New Jersey.’ He will share advice on techniques and equipment for taking memorable deep-sky photographs, including how to track stars and planets in their journeys.” (Above, right: Eastern Veil Nebula)

Mead promises a cosmic time with Blanchard: “You’ll never look at the night sky the same way again.”

For those who must miss this memorable event, a recording will be made available to all who register their email address with D&R Greenway Land Trust. (Top image: Andromeda galaxy photographed from St. Michael's Preserve)

Branford shares his personal view on the power of art and science: "Art is how we express the wonders of the universe. Science is how we understand the wonders of the Universe."

BACKGROUND  D&R Greenway Land Trust, an accredited nonprofit, has saved over 21,000 acres of New Jersey land since its 1989 founding. Preserving land for life and creating public trails grants everyone the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors. The land trust’s preserved farms and community gardens provide local organic food for neighbors—including those in need. D&R Greenway’s strategic land conservation and stewardship combat climate change, protect wildlife, and ensures clean drinking water for future generations. D&R Greenway's mission is connecting land with people from all walks of life. D&R Greenway’s Johnson Education Center, home to its art galleries in Princeton, is currently closed to ensure health and safety due to COVID. Our outdoor trails and labyrinth are open. Visit our Facebook and Instagram pages and www.drgreenway.org to learn about the organization’s latest news and virtual programs. D&R Greenway Land Trust, One Preservation Place, Princeton NJ 08540. Best way to reach D&R Greenway Staff during the COVID pandemic is by e-mail, available on their web-site.