FREWSBURG – Understanding the risks posed by lunar dust to human exploration will be discussed Wednesday, March 19, at the Martz Observatory in Frewsburg.

Torin McCoy will talk about how the human element — risk communication and perception — complicates efforts to manage these lunar dust hazards. Attendees will gain insight into lunar dust challenges while exploring the often-undervalued concepts of balance, credibility, and discernment.

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 the Johnson Space Center, 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.

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.

The discussion will be shown on the big screen at the Martz-Kohl Observatory and will be available online via Zoom. Those interested can visit the observatory to virtually meet McCoy and join in the question-and-answer session after his discussion. If the weather permits, there will be public viewing opportunities. For more information visit martzobservatory.org

The Martz-Kohl Observatory, located at 176 Robbin Hill Road, Frewsburg, is operated by the Marshal Martz Memorial Astronomical Association Inc., a non-profit organization devoted to the amateur astronomer.