By Zach Sherman/USF Znews
TAMPA – The USF Astronomy and Astrophysics Club brings students together, uniting a group with common interests and offering an escape in the digital age, at their Stargazing at Magnolia Fields event, held routinely.
The club spreads awareness of the solar system by hosting a variety of events such as movie nights where students gather to watch movies such as Interstellar, along with hosting events for children showing them the limitlessness of space. During their Stargazing event students gather to view the stars and other various elements of space.
Zander Thieryung, the organization’s president, hopes students have a satisfying astronomy experience and connect those around the USF campus. “It is fun to see reactions to people looking through telescopes,” said Thieryung. He feels that it is a very social event and gets everyone together especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. “I want to combine these casual events such as Stargazing with more technical events. We just recently hosted an astrophotography event so I hope we can combine these two styles,” said Thieryung.
Jacob Cherchio, a fifth year senior, and the event photographer finally feels a sense of community at USF. “I feel like I can actually help others and stop looking at my screen,” said Cherchio. Cherchio says the night sky offers something new to people and something most never seek out. The event gives him a place to be happy and make new friends he would not have met without attending.
For Logan Venn, a USF student who comes from a beach town with low light pollution, the event gives a sense of peace and simplicity as if she is back home. Venn was happy she was able to gaze at stars in Tampa, a city with high light pollution. Initially, Venn was only interested in the stars, but has deepened her understanding after seeing different constellations with the club members.
“I love the stars and looking at the night sky and finding a like minded community, I feel like we should stop more as a society and looks what’s in the world,” said Venn.