Have you ever wondered what’s out there? Have you ever looked up at night and wondered about all of those bright lights? Have you ever wondered if the planets actually look like how they are pictured in the textbooks?
“I want to learn as much as I can about other galaxies and solar systems,” said senior, Levi Hickson. This is the type of student that makes up Bob Jones’ Astronomy Club every year.
In Astronomy club, the goal is simple: to make astronomy more recognized and appreciated–even if only to the student body–through star parties, and to help students see and experience the beauty and importance of astronomy.
Last Thursday, September 5, the Astronomy Club got to present their first star party of the year, and it went off with much success.
There were many students (both affiliated and unaffiliated with the club) in attendance. People brought snacks, and Trevor Thomas, senior, even brought Milo’s sweet tea for everyone. With red solo cups in hand, and with the assistance of Mr. Fredrick–the club’s faculty advisor–and his telescope, the students, and even some adult attendees, got to enjoy looking at Venus, Saturn, and the Lagoon Nebula.
These star parties create a great atmosphere. Students get to learn about something that truly interests them, and get to socialize and discuss Astronomy with other people who have similar interests that they might never have talked to before.
Hopefully, as the year goes on, the club can start using more of the advanced and bigger telescopes, find an area open to everyone but shrouded in darkness for the best possible setting to view the stars, and take pictures of what we see through the telescopes we have.
So, if you are like Alexa Russell, senior, who “hopes to learn more about the universe, and see some awesome stuff in the sky,” then you should attend the next Astronomy Club meeting, which takes place every Tuesday at 7:30 A.M. in Mr. Fredrick’s room, N233.
