Strait Planetarium, Pennsylvania Stargazing, Dark Skies & How ZeroEyes AI Detects Firearms to Help Prevent Violence

Join Dr. Elaine Farkas, Associate Professor of Physical and Environmental Sciences at Commonwealth University, for a fascinating conversation about the Strait Planetarium on the Mansfield Campus and its role in connecting communities to the wonders of the universe. Named in honor of beloved educator George “Daddy” Strait, the planetarium serves as a gateway to science, discovery, and lifelong learning for residents across north-central and central Pennsylvania. We explore why astronomy matters and how understanding the cosmos helps us better understand our own planet, our place in the universe, and the scientific discoveries shaping our future. Dr. Farkas discusses the unique opportunities for stargazing in Pennsylvania, the importance of protecting dark skies from light pollution, and how partnerships with organizations like the PA Wilds Astronomy Club inspire hands-on exploration for all ages.How can AI help stop violence before it happens? In this episode, we talk with Kieran Carroll, Chief Strategy Officer, and Dr. Christopher Heilig, EVP of School Safety and Technology, from ZeroEyes, the Pennsylvania-based company using artificial intelligence to detect visible firearms and other weapons through existing security cameras. Founded in 2018 by a team of former Navy SEALs and technologists in response to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, ZeroEyes was built with a mission to proactively protect schools, hospitals, businesses, and public spaces. Carroll and Heilig share the company’s origin story, how a simple observation about unattended security cameras sparked an idea, and how their technology has evolved from school safety to broader public security applications.