The UNK Astronomy Club was recognized as an official campus organization last week. For its first official event, the club hosted a stargazing session, during which attendees observed the night sky and connected with other astronomy enthusiasts.
Organization leaders aim to get more people interested in astronomy.
“We wanted to start this club to engage with all levels of interest and knowledge in astronomy,” said Kim Larbey, president of the Astronomy Club. “The Physics Club is more specialized in physics, and we thought there was a gap. People love astronomy, but they get intimidated by some of the work and the boring stuff, and now we can explore and learn together.”
The idea for the UNK Astronomy Club began two years ago in a modern physics class taught by Brandon Marshall, who now serves as the club’s adviser. Marshall encouraged students to take the lead, saying he’d support the effort. The idea resurfaced this summer, leading to the club’s official formation this semester.
Student government approved the organization during their Sept. 24 meeting. The club’s first event brought in 22 attendees for a planetarium show, followed by a movie screening with 15 members in attendance.
Club leaders plan to involve the community and create an inclusive environment.
“We are thinking bigger than the campus community,” said Barrett Lee, vice president of the club. “We’re also going to open it up to the Kearney community. We want to make some of our events family-friendly and incorporate fundraisers. It’s about fostering curiosity and a love for science for everyone, not just science majors.”
Their first public event is scheduled for Oct. 12, National Astronomy Club Day. The event will be open to students and the Kearney community to use their equipment to stargaze, educate them on constellations and increase interest in astronomy.
The stargazing event on Sept. 25 took place at the green space west of Discovery Hall. To begin the meeting, attendees were provided with snacks and refreshments. Printed planispheres were distributed, helping participants identify the constellations visible that night.
“Tonight’s event will focus on stargazing, building on our last meeting where we explored the constellations in the planetarium,” Larbey said. “A highlight will be viewing Saturn and its rings through the telescopes, and we will also be on the lookout for the International Space Station as it passes by.”
The event featured a scavenger hunt with two stations. One station had two telescopes to view Saturn, allowing attendees to view Saturn’s rings. The other station focused on observing various stars and constellations, offering additional opportunities for exploration.
“Our university has all of this cool equipment,” Lee said. “We wanted to close the gap between students who aren’t in the department and the opportunity to use our resources, like the telescopes and other equipment.”
The club’s state-of-the-art equipment allows attendees to observe celestial objects.
“Seeing Saturn’s rings with your own eyes for the first time is truly awe-inspiring, and we want to provide that opportunity for everyone,” Lee said.
Any students interested in joining the organization can contact Larbey at her email, larbeyk@lopers.unk.edu.
