2015 Fall Grand Valley Magazine - (Page 20)
FOC A L POI N T
THE FINAL FRONTIER
Astronomy classes teach
stargazing students about the
vastness of the universe
photo by Amanda Pitts | by Matthew Makowski
Space: the final frontier. These are the academic
voyages of Grand Valley students. Their mission is
to explore strange new curiosities, seek out new
knowledge and new understanding, and to
boldly go where no Laker has gone before.
While students don't venture into the
stars like the fictional crew members
from "Star Trek," they have the next best
thing: astronomy courses that provide
opportunities to study the stars and
the universe.
Rooted in the Physics Department,
three astronomy courses are offered.
Ross Reynolds, professor of physics,
said these courses equip students with
a heightened sense of curiosity.
Nate Orndorf, a fourth-year
mathematics and physics major from
Bellefontaine, Ohio, said the astronomy
courses offer him the stimulating
opportunity to study "the final frontier."
"As long as I can remember, I've
loved looking up at the stars," he said.
"Astronomy is a great way to learn
more about what is out there, not only
in the classroom, but also through
stargazing and using telescopes."
Uncooperative weather often
leads to Reynolds and other faculty
members getting more creative with
their class activities. Reynolds said
telescopes are sometimes used for
"star parties," which are informal
gatherings outside of classes for
students to look at planets, the moon
and other interesting objects.
Low visibility was one of the challenges
University Communications photographer
Amanda Pitts and her team encountered
when capturing the photo on these pages.
Along with light pollution, weather and moon
conditions, the team also battled the fast rotation
of the Earth during their photo shoot at Wilderness
State Park in Emmet County July 15-16.
"As soon as we had the shot set up, the Milky
Way appeared to have moved in the mirror reflection,
and we had to move all the equipment to get
everything to appear where we wanted," Pitts said.
20
Fall '15
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of 2015 Fall Grand Valley Magazine
Campus News
Research
Athletics
Arts
Scientific symbiosis
Focal Point
Seidman College expanding EMBA
Sailing at 1/12th scale
Same song, different verse
Q&A Lynn 'Chick' Blue
Off the path
International Education
2015 Fall Grand Valley Magazine
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