Reaching for the stars, OCCC mathematics major Bobie Johnson has started a new astronomy club with the intention of curating student interest in the celestial bodies that surround us.
Club activities will include stargazing with telescopes, sunspot viewing — with specially designed instruments that make it safe to stare into the sun — and joint meetings with the engineering club that will provide access to aerospace engineers. Meetings will be held on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to noon in the Math Resource Center.
Johnson developed a love for the stars at an early age, fueled by a passion for science fiction that she shared with her father. Over time, those twin passions sparked a hunger inside her to learn more about the farthest reaches of outer space.
“I absolutely fell in love with astronomy from the second I started researching it,” Johnson said. “One of my first goals when coming back to OCCC for school was to bring an astronomy club in. I believe that the field does not get the attention it deserves, and I just want to shine a light on it and its importance.”
With the assistance of Zachary Austin, an instructor in the Math Resource Center who now serves as the staff advisor for the astronomy club, Johnson seeks to not only bring interest to the minds of students but also offer a deeper understanding of the mathematics necessary to engage in astronomy on a deeper level. Dr. Susmita Hazra, dean of the science, engineering and mathematics division at OCCC, believes the new club will do well at both entertaining students and teaching them about astronomy.
“I believe the launch of the astronomy club at the Math Resource Center is an exciting opportunity for students not only to explore astronomy but also to receive math support from the dedicated team at the hub,” Hazra stated. “At the Math Resource Center, we now have several new telescopes that we’ll be using for both night sky observations and sunspot viewing activities. It’s a great way to blend science learning with hands-on experience and community engagement.”
In the future, Johnson hopes to see the club succeed beyond her wildest dreams by offering students the opportunity to work as interns in well-paying fields. She imagines that one day, after returning to OCCC to see how her grassroots effort has progressed, she will find a blossoming community of supportive and innovative students ready to learn more about the ever-expanding science of astronomy.
“I just hope the club stays strong and extends its reach by getting more involved in the scientific community,” Johnson said. “I hope members are introduced to space programs they can attend – and maybe even host guest speakers, such as astronauts!”
