Orion allows students to learn and enjoy science in a relaxed environment
Explore outside of this world with a visit to the observatory, the most frequented building on campus for astronomy club members.
Aidan Wilson started the club his freshman year in 2014 with Tim Stead, a sophomore at the time. Tristen Reid currently serves as vice president for the Astronomy Club, last year serving as secretary. Nick Martel currently serves as president for the club.
“I wanted to keep the club going. I felt like it was my job to become a leader so that things would get done and the club wouldn’t get forgotten,” said Reid.
Every year, the astronomy club goes to Cherry Springs in Coudersport, Pennsylvania. It’s designated as the darkest spot east of the Mississippi, meaning it’s the area with the least light pollution. This is important because the light pollution significantly impairs a viewer’s ability to see the celestial bodies in the sky.
Both last year and this year, the club will host its “Dream It, Do It 500” event. Students from local middle and high schools are given an engineering task that they must then create from scratch. Last year, they had to build a car with cardboard, batteries and weights. The goal was to see which car would go the straightest and furthest. The older kids have an extra challenge that is revealed at the start of the competition.
Another annual event the astronomy club hosts is Astro-Bash. At the end of each year, the club hosts a party in the observatory where all the telescopes are out, and they provide food. Last year, approximately 200 students and faculty were there. The event relies heavily on club members volunteering to help set up and take down. Students also volunteer to chalk sidewalks on campus with advertising.
“As leaders of the club, we enjoy hosting these events,” Reid said. “We want students to be involved and enjoy it, but also hopefully develop an interest in astronomy or the sciences in general.”
Aside from annual events, the club tries to have as many observation nights and movie nights as possible. Observation nights consist of going to the observatory and looking at the different celestial bodies in the sky throughout the year, since the stars are always moving.
Additionally, the club will hold movie nights either in Swan or the University Club above the Hickey Dining Hall. “Interstellar” and “Armageddon” are some movies previously watched. Club members are hoping to watch “ET” in the future, said Reid.
The club aims to have meetings once a month where they communicate about upcoming events like the Astro-Bash and Cherry Springs trip.
A typical meeting includes talks about t-shirt designs, potential club movie nights and upcoming observation nights. Meetings don’t normally last longer than an hour.
“We try not to be strict,” said Reid. “We want to be laid back, but still help foster an interest in space.”
By Fraser Breon, Staff Writer
breonaf18@bonaventure.edu
