By Rich Csenge

A retired US. Army Chaplain (Maj) with 20 years of service, Troy now blends science, storytelling, and hands-on experiences to inspire resilience and well-being. His work bridges the worlds of research, art, and policy—helping communities protect and engage with night skies as a vital public resource.

Whether speaking at astronomy workshops or leading community discussions on policy, Troy’s passion is to help audiences see the stars not just as a spectacle, but as a source of healing, wonder, and shared purpose.

This presentation will explore how experiences under truly dark skies can nurture mental health, creativity, and community connection. The presentation grows out of Troy’s research with Utah State University Extension, where he studies how awe — that feeling of being in the presence of something vast that transcends our understanding — affects well-being.

The inspiration for this work began years ago during Troy’s military service in Northern Afghanistan. From his personal experience, Dr Allan says, “in the middle of chaos and uncertainty, I found strength and peace simply by looking up at the stars. That experience led me to wonder: could awe itself be healing? Today, that question drives our research and outreach programs across Utah and beyond.”

Dr. Allan goes on to say of his work at Utah State, “our studies show that awe under the stars can reduce stress, increase connection, and restore a sense of perspective — benefits especially important in a world of isolation, digital overload, and disappearing night skies. We’re now applying these insights to help diverse groups, including youth, veterans, and older adults, rediscover balance and belonging through nature-based and community experiences.”

This presentation will blend story, science, and practical ideas — how protecting our night skies supports both mental wellness and local identity. “When we lose the stars, we lose part of our heritage; when we preserve them, we restore wonder, pride, and connection.”

Stellar Vista Observatory’s next free public star party takes place on Tuesday, November 11, (Veterans Day) beginning at 7:00 pm, at the Jackson Flat Boat Launch Parking Area. This is the night when the Northern Taurids Meteor Shower is expected to peak.

Taurids meteors have the constellation Taurus as their “radiant”, meaning that if you were to follow the trajectories of the meteors backward, they would appear to emanate from an area of the sky where that constellation is located. The source of these meteors, often seen as bright fireballs, is cosmic debris left by the comet 2P/Encke, which zooms along on its path around the sun every 3.3 years. As Earth passes through the comet’s path, debris enters our atmosphere, where friction with air molecules immediately creates blazing streaks of plasma.

Stellar Vista Observatory (SVO) is a 501c3 nonprofit charitable organization working in partnership with the Kane County Water Conservancy District, to create and operate an educational astronomical observatory in Kanab, Utah. The City of Kanab is currently reviewing SVO’s building permit application to construct Phase 1 of the project. To learn more, or contribute to this community project, visit StellarVistaObservatory.org.