HBAC #158: Cosmic Confab with Jason Hissong

HBAC #158: Cosmic Confab with Jason Hissong

Join us for a night of stargazing and Stellar Conversation, won’t you? If you like what you see and hear in this episode then take the plunge and explore the skies with the Columbus Astronomical Society [https://columbusastronomy.org/], spend a Friday evening at historic Perkins Observatory [https://www.owu.edu/about/offices-services-directory/perkins-observatory/] or travel to some of the darkest skies in the state at the John Glenn Astronomy Park. [https://jgap.info/] Images and accompanying text by Jason [https://www.facebook.com/jason.hissong]. Twilight approaches as the rig stands ready. The Cygnus Milky Way. If you look close, you can see the North America Nebula right of center. The Cygnus Milky Way region contains many interesting objects including the “Great Rift”, an area of dust and gas that will one day form new stars. The famous Cygnus X-1 Black hole is also in this region. Taken with the Seestar S30Pro’s Milky Way capture feature. The center star of the Northern Cross of Cygnus, Sadr and surrounding nebulosity. I used Sadr as the anchor to take my Cygnus Milky Way image. Markarian’s Chain in Virgo. I wanted to use the Seestar S30Pro to get this chain of galaxies. These galaxies are part of the Virgo Cluster of galaxies. The Eagle Nebula, M16, in the constellation of Serpens. This object became famous in the 90s when the Hubble Space Telescope took the “Pillars of Creation” image. My version is a false color image using Hydrogen Alpha and Oxygen III filters. M16 is a large star forming region. Taken with the main imaging rig. The Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex. Rho Ophiuchi is embedded in this cloud complex and it is a large, and one of the nearest, star forming regions. You can see the red glow of Antares at the bottom left, and the globular star cluster M4 at the bottom right. Above and to the right of Antares is the globular cluster NGC6144. Taken with the Seestar S30Pro. M17, also known as the Swan Nebula, is a massive star forming region in the constellation of Sagittarius. There is an open cluster, NGC6618, is embedded inside the nebula and this is what causes it to glow like it does. Taken with the S30. TIMESTAMPS & TOPICS Intro and Welcome1:00-5:15 What is Master Data Management?5:15-15:00 Layoffs and Transitions15:00-24:25 Lifelong Fascination with Astronomy- Columbus Astronomical Society- Perkins Observatory and John Glenn Astronomy Park24:25-31:30 Astronomy Provides Perspective31:30-41:20 Ambient Radiation, Nuclear Power, and Learning as a Method for Managing Fears42:05-44:05 AI and Human Creativity- The curious case of German alchemist Henning Brandt [https://www.sciencehistory.org/stories/magazine/hennig-brandt-and-the-discovery-of-phosphorus/] (aka, ‘You’re crazy for this one, Rick.’)44:05-47:45 Current Skywatching Opportunities and Closing Thanks again to one of our oldest and most interesting friends for sharing his awesome passion! The Hilliard Beacon is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hilliardbeacon.substack.com/subscribe [https://hilliardbeacon.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

HBAC 157: Head, Heart, Hands and Health

We open the latest episode of the Audio Companion by welcoming Sam Swank, a longtime member of 4-H [https://ohio4h.org/], who discussed his experiences with the organization and his current project studying yeast breads. Sam, who joined 4-H at age six, described the program as a place where you learn about nature, practical skills and career interests while pursuing projects that match your passions. His own interests have ranged from birding and fishing to baking. Currently working on a yeast bread project for the county fair, Sam turned the tables on Jordan and asked thoughtful questions about donut making, including how yeast is activated, how commercial baking differs from home baking, and what kind of training is needed to become a professional baker. The conversation highlighted one of 4-H’s enduring strengths: its ability to introduce young people to skilled trades, science, agriculture and entrepreneurship through hands-on learning. Founded more than a century ago, with deep roots in Ohio, 4-H remains one of the nation’s largest youth development organizations, reaching millions of participants through local clubs and county fairs. The second half of the program shifted to a much more contentious and now familiar subject: the rapid expansion of data centers across Ohio. Joining the second half of our show was Amy Swank, Sam’s mother and a prominent grassroots advocate who has become one of the state’s most active voices examining the impacts of large-scale data center development. Swank said her interest began when a proposed facility was slated for construction near her home. Since then, she has traveled the state speaking with communities facing similar projects and helping residents understand zoning processes, public records requests and the economics behind fast-moving data center agreements. According to Swank, concerns raised by residents are remarkably consistent regardless of geography or politics. “It didn’t matter if I was in Pickaway County or Madison County or Franklin County,” she said. “They all kind of shared the same concerns. It always evolved around transparency.” Swank argued that many communities are being asked to accept projects with limited information about long-term environmental impacts, energy demands and tax arrangements. She expressed particular concern about backup diesel generators, electrical grid capacity and the use of unaffordable tax abatements to attract facilities. The discussion also explored the mixed response at the Ohio Statehouse, where lawmakers have formed a select committee to study data centers after separate legislation establishing a more formal commission stalled in the state senate. Swank said she hopes legislators will make more legitimate efforts to slow things down while taking a much closer look at the economics of the industry and carefully examining whether promised benefits match public investment. The Hilliard Beacon is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hilliardbeacon.substack.com/subscribe [https://hilliardbeacon.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

HBAC 156: Hilliard Short Film Festival

We were recently joined in studio by Austin Rutherford and Megan Miracle as they promoted Hilliard’s upcoming short film festival. Both Austin and Megan are former students in Hilliard and we’re very pleased to see them developing their passion into local opportunities for fellow creators. 0:00 - 17:34 Intro with the guys… 17:35 - 19:21 Meet Austin and Megan! 19:21 - 21:56 Origins and structure of the festival 21:56 - 24:24 AI and filmmaking 24:23 - 29:28 Record participation (100+ submissions) and FilmFreeway [https://filmfreeway.com/HilliardShortFilmFestival] 29:28 - 31:31 Establishing Hilliard’s film culture 31:31 - 35:04 Creative careers and entrepreneurship 35:04 - 40:01 Early mentorship and building a film ecosystem 40:01 - 42:15 Production and momentum 42:15 - 45:50 Future goals 45:50 - 48:45 Festival details and closing * Date: June 20 * Time: 5:00 PM * Location: Hilliard Civic & Cultural Arts Center * Final lineup: * 6 student films * 14 animated films * 10 open submission films The Hilliard Beacon is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hilliardbeacon.substack.com/subscribe [https://hilliardbeacon.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

HBAC #155: The Coffee Connection w/ Nate Grenier

It was a real treat to host old friend Nate Grenier for a chat about our shared history and the business he, his wife and family have grown in Hilliard. 0:00-5:30 - In the beginning...two ‘wild and crazy’ guys [https://coffeeconnectionhilliard.wordpress.com/2018/03/26/values-serve-your-city/]. 5:30-10:30 - Building a local coffee culture 10:30-16:30 - Family, marriage, and entrepreneurship 16:30-20:30 - Expansion and COVID’s hard lessons 20:30-23:30 - The economics of Main Street 23:30-25:00 - “It’s no Stonehenge…” 25:00-31:30 - Rent vs Ownership in small business survival 31:30-34:45 - Business incubators and community building 34:45-37:15 - ‘Small-Town’ identity under growth pressure and what it reveals 37:15-41:15 - Counseling, mental health, and coffee shop as touchstone 41:15-45:00 - Faith, diversity and the enduring value of ‘Main Street’ Thanks again to Nate for coming out! It only took us 3 years to get one of our oldest friends on the pod! The Hilliard Beacon is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hilliardbeacon.substack.com/subscribe [https://hilliardbeacon.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

HBAC# 154: Public / Private Eyes are Watching You

Thanks for listening, everyone! In this episode: * We review our recent interview with Chief Woods. * We spend a good portion of the episode discussing expanding surveillance technology in Hilliard, including the prevalence of residential cameras and growing police use of Flock license plate reader systems [https://hilliardohio.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Policy-426-Automated-License-Plate-Reader-ALPR-1.pdf]. * The growing resistance to the data center buildout at local, state, national levels * Attention then turned to Hilliard City Council’s postponed vote on allowing Capital Church to operate out of the Makoy Center property. (Postponed 5/11 - Vote occuring 5/26 Tuesday) [https://hilliardohio.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&id=4701] * We discuss perceptions surrounding the vote. * Discussion broadened to overall religious growth in Hilliard. * Housing Study Open House coming 5/28 from 5-7 pm [https://hilliardohio.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=4747]. * School construction and almost certain naming drama. * Corvo might re-start work on his 1967 Silver Bridge [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_Bridge] project and related historical reporting! The Hilliard Beacon is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hilliardbeacon.substack.com/subscribe [https://hilliardbeacon.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]