The Astronomy Department is an isolated building now hidden by that massive structure they call the new O'Hill. Right now you could count the number of astronomy majors on two hands, if anyone knew how many majors and minors there really were. The Department loves undergrads, but it's geared more toward research and graduate studies. Therefore, the students have taken matters into their own hands.

The SAS, or "astro club" was created in Fall 2003 by a 3rd year major clueless as to who her counterparts were, and a non-major who like astronomy but wasn't satisfied with the 121/124 classes. The club was designed so that astronomy majors and amateurs (from the hard-core nerd who spends every night at McCormick to the English major that gazes at the Astronomy magazine in the bookstore) could have a chance to meet.

So what does the club do?

The Department is one of the top astro departments in the country, with one reasearch observatory just south of C'ville (Fan Mtn Observatory), one public interest observatory on O'Hill (McCormick Observatory), and more several-thousand-dollar Meade telescopes than there are astronmy majors to use them. This is all accessible to members of the SAS.

We sponsor Telescope Operating, so that you can be trained and then in charge of one of McCormick's telescopes during public night. Also, the Department loves help at its biannual Fan Mtn. public nights.

Members recieve emails about  job offers through the department: Grading papers and telescope operating for 121/124 classes as well as other little odd jobs that need done.

We have meetings (how often is still being determined) with guest speakers- members of the department, high-ranking amateurs, etc. Usually free pizza is involved.

Members participate in planning and running events for the rest of the astro-deprived university. Solar telescopes on the Lawn and hosting a party for the Leonid shower is on the schedule.

Members get other little perks from the department. Keys to the student lab and astronomy library make for a nice little getaway to hide and nap, especially after lunch at O'Hill...
 
 

1. Increasing awareness of the Astronomy Department and developing an interest in the field of Astronomy within the University community.

The astronomy department is known for its 121/124 classes and open nights at McCormick Observatory, and that’s about it. We intend to demonstrate that it is an active department and to enlarge the role it plays within the University community.

2. Bringing together the faculty and students of the Astronomy Department and linking them with the student amateurs of the University.

Astronomy and Astrophysics majors have little interaction with the professors and graduate students of the department until late in their third year. Majors and minors have almost no interaction with each other. Meanwhile, student amateurs have nowhere to go if they want to further their hobby without officially joining the department. We intend to open the arms of the astronomy department and improve the relations between amateurs, majors, minors, graduate students, and professors.

3. Recruiting first and second years into the Department and encouraging potential majors and minors in the field of Astronomy.

To major in astrophysics, students must start planning in their first year, but they may not find out about the major until much later. Astronomy majors are not difficult to attain, and a minor requires only five classes, but there is still a small number of students graduating with a degree in astronomy. We intend to spread the word, gain greater interest, and involve students with the department before they have even declared.
 
 
 

Page created: September 2004
Page last updated: September 2004
Page curator: Laura Cole (lauralee@virginia.edu)