Led by junior Celia Weir, the Astronomy Club held its inaugural meeting today directly after school, with its first members enjoying games, cookies and prizes. This Saturday at 6:30 p.m., the club, partnered with Earth and Space teacher Matt Kostoff, will host a night lab to observe the Planetary Parade, the alignment of six planets.
“The parade is a really unique phenomenon that we don’t see a lot in school,” Weir said. “This is the perfect time to do it. February is one of the best months for sky-watching and this event is the best way to show kids something cool about our universe. I hope to have a lot more in the future.”
For Weir, looking at the stars means limitless opportunities for discovery and curiosity. That fascination turned into action as she founded the Astronomy Club. The club offers students a chance to discuss astronomical events and connect over a shared curiosity of the cosmos.
“It’s really important to have knowledge about things happening in space,” Weir said. “There are kids that don’t even know we have an astronomy class. [Our generation is] so incredibly lucky to live in a time where space travel is possible. Now we’re learning so many new things that we didn’t know 100 years ago. [This club is] a good opportunity for everyone to learn more about astronomy.”
Weir started the club in early December under the sponsorship of geometry teacher Diane Rafa. The two met through band volunteering, and their shared fascination with astronomy inspired them to collaborate on what is now the Astronomy Club.
“Our agreement is that I’m going to be in the background, [Weir] wants to run the whole thing,” Rafa said. “I’m letting [the kids] steer their own ship, but adding [information] when I see interesting things.”
Weir plans on holding meetings for the club on Tuesdays, she hopes for members to take part in activities that build and spark an interest in astronomy. The astronomy club has many members from other extracurriculars. Weir believes students should value both STEM and extracurriculars equally.
“I think it’s important for everyone to learn about [astronomy],” Weir said. “It’s something that a lot of people wouldn’t think of because as a school, we’re so sports-oriented and band-oriented.”
The club functions as an organization, instead of a hierarchy with leaders and officers. Anyone can step up and speak on any astronomical matter of their choice.
“Whenever I went to the meeting, [there were] a lot of people that I knew,” club member and senior Nikko Turner said, “I’m [excited] about the close bonds and connections that I already have with these people and new friendships that I can make.”
Weir has always had a great interest in astronomy, an interest which manifested in a NASA internship and countless school projects.
“I grew up on a ranch, so I could always see the stars,” Weir said. “It was always a big part of my life to go out there– the whole family would watch what’s happening in the sky at night. I think that’s what really [got me into astronomy]. And when I was in school I would always make projects space oriented, because I was just something that interested me. Really, I’ve always been really interested in astronomy.”
