Society astronomers share starry eyes

It's a bird, it's a plane ... no, it's the Student Astronomical Society! Unlike Superman, who tries to save the world by spinning around the earth, this student group is Earthbound as it observes the sky each month on top of Angell Hall.

This 15-person society, which meets biweekly on Wednesdays at 5 p.m. in 1057 Dennison, sponsors a variety of astronomy-related events. The group frequently hosts public lectures. A recent speaker discussed the restoration of the Angell observatory, and on March 18, physics Prof. Yukio Tomozawa will lecture on time travel.

The SAS also sponsors free public viewing nights at the observatory. On Feb. 6, about 160 people came out to see the sky. LSA senior Aimee D'Onofrio, president of SAS, said, "It was the best open house ever. Everyone from students, to families, to s

DANA LINNANE/Daily Prof. Patrick Seitzer runs the telescope at the Angell Hall Observatory.

mall children came."

Besides lectures and public events, the society also offers free tutoring from 8-10 p.m. on Monday nights for students in 100-level astronomy courses.

"A lot of people from the same classes will come in with the same problem sets and the society helps them out," D'Onofrio said. "It's a great service because not only do we feel like we are helping out underclassmen, but it's a great way for people with the same major to get to know one another."

The society is also planning its second annual Inreach project. This project involves bringing school-aged children from metro Detroit schools to Ann Arbor and showing them hands-on astronomy fun. This year, members are hoping to have the program take place in a planetarium, where they can present a slide show and different scaling exercises.

How does the society have time to plan all these events, tutor other students and study for their own vigorous classes?

"It's all about room 1057 in the Dennison Building," said LSA junior Megan Novicki, the publicity officer of SAS. She and many of the other students spend most of their free time in 1057.

"I come here to do my homework rather than going to the library, because here there is always one of us working on the same problems," Novicki said.

Dan Berman, an LSA senior, said that because the major is so hard, it's nice to know that you can come to a place where you're guaranteed to have others around you who are studying the same thing.

The society is especially helpful for first-year students and sophomores who are thinking about becoming astronomy majors. Society members offer advice about classes, research opportunities and even internships.

"Because the astronomy department is so small, we all have the chance to work closely with the faculty," said Brent Fisher, a recent LSA graduate who is now one of the SAS advisors. While he was a student here, Fisher felt that the society helped him establish close friendships with both students and professors. As D'Onofrio said, "I know all the professors and graduate students and they know me."

Dave Kouvhnerkauth, an LSA first-year student who is deciding whether to take an astronomy class next fall, said that he found out about the society from Festifall. He joined because he has always had an interest in astronomy.

"The society has helped me to get involved in an organized group and meet some upperclassmen," Kouvhnerkauth said. He plans on staying in the society, because right now he is a newcomer to astronomy program and he would like to learn more about it.

Novicki said that she likes the society because it allows her to network. Her friends are there and she likes the relaxed atmosphere that she finds when hanging out in 1057 Dennison.

"It's not like all we do is astronomy homework when we hang out here. We like getting together because the society has given many of us close friendships," D'Onofrio said.

The Student Astronomical Society is open to any student interested in astronomy.

"Anyone is welcome as long as they have an interest in the field, are ready to be challenged and want to make new friends," D'Onofrio said.

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