Club of the Week: Astronomy Club
Sean Ricard / The Exonian
By WILLIAM INOUE, FIONA LIU, HENRY WISE, ANNE ZHU
On clear, cloudless nights, a group of students can often be seen out on EPAC Commons, setting up equipment with varying levels of complexity and then looking up at the starry sky. Meeting at 6 p.m. every Friday, Astronomy Club explores both space and the history behind those who study it, with topics ranging from black holes and stellar life cycles to extraterrestrial life. Recently, the club has received “Club Kudos” for their strong efforts, as well as an $1,800 grant for more equipment.
The Astronomy Club has been an active club on Phillips Exeter’s campus for many years. “There has been a large interest in astronomy here at PEA since before I was born. Long ago, there was even a mandate to teach celestial navigation. When I started here in 2004, the club was already extant and very active,” club advisor John Blackwell explained. Exeter students have been interested in astronomical aspects of our universe and will continue to for many years to come.
For many new attendees, the club is their first introduction to astronomy. Prep Mehal Dubey said, “I’ve always had a passion for astronomy, but I never really got to pursue it because my previous school didn’t have an astronomy club.” Dubey added, “But now that I’m here at Phillips Exeter, I have many more ways to pursue that interest in astronomy, so I decided to join the astronomy club for that reason.”
Many members find the hands-on activities extremely enjoyable. Dubey explained, “My favorite part about the club is those nights when we go out with the telescope, and we just look at random things.” She also commented about the club’s friendly atmosphere, adding, “Even if we don’t find anything worthwhile, I think the whole club kind of bonds over that experience.”
On the difference between advising the Astronomy Club and teaching astronomy, Blackwell commented, “Clubs can choose to investigate whatever they wish and in whatever order they see necessary. Classroom education is more scaffolded. One year, the club may take on building a telescope, while in another year, they are mostly engaged with imaging or numerical data processing.”
There are so many different things about the astronomy club students can enjoy: feeling the freedom of being able to study what you are interested in without the commitment of a full class, as well as being able to study with people who share the same interests as you. On this topic, Blackwell’s favorite aspect of the Astronomy club is that “the members are very autonomous and curious about the universe!”
