Using a piece of chalk to sketch their own solar system, about 10 Astronomy Club members explored the solar system on the roof of the garage on Feb. 25. Officers scaled down the distance of the solar system to encompass the length of the parking garage using tape measures. Members then went in and drew planets and celestial bodies so they could visualize the distance between different space features.
“I thought it would be nice to actually show the distance scales,” junior and president Sara Kannan said. “We’re so used to seeing just a line of planets that are the wrong size and the wrong spacing.”
Kannan and the other officers originally planned to scale and draw the solar system prior to the meeting and guide members around it. However, they decided to have members join in on drawing instead.
“We had a little bit more fun drawing it as we went along, and seeing it get bigger and bigger [until] I had to start running across the parking garage to get to the next point,” Kannan said. “I think it was fun for people to actually see that, rather than just having it already drawn out.”
Prior to the meeting, officers compiled lists of fun facts about the solar system, which they described while everyone worked on measuring.
“Everyone was having fun and interacting, and people learned new things,” junior and vice president Akshatha Perumal said. “I did learn something new too [because] I really didn’t think that Pluto was that far off from Neptune and Uranus.”
While laying out the parts of the solar system, members reflected on how “philosophical” it was to visualize the celestial bodies. With the solar system laid out across the top of the parking garage, Kannan reflected on the opportunity to do such an event.
“It’s really special to understand your place in the universe, to comprehend that the area we’re in is so large,” Kannan said. “I think it gives us a greater sense of appreciation for both our own lives and the accomplishments that have been made in astronomy.”
Astronomy Club will host its next star party soon. To stay updated, follow its Remind: @bhsastro24 and Instagram @bhsastro.
