Compass Astronomy Club- Begins October 21

The Compass Astronomy Club will meet starting Wednesday, October 21. Homeschooled space enthusiasts in 6th-12th grade are invited! The full Club will meet together for guest speakers or presentations from astronomers, physicists, or representatives from local astronomy/telescope clubs. Other times, members will split into middle school and high school break-out groups.

Middle School (6th-8th):

  • Discuss current or upcoming astronomical events and recent discoveries
  • Conduct simulations or modeling to understand astronomical phenomena
  • Participate in a space- related citizen scientist project
  • Meet friends who are space enthusiasts

    • High School (9th-12th):

  • Explore pulsar science and radio astronomy through the Pulsar Search Collaboratory (PSC)
  • New members must complete online training modules before starting work on PSC data sets
  • Returning members continue with research of PSC data
  • 3-6 hours of free college credit offered through UWV for PSC participation
  • Develop peer and professional contacts who space appreciation of astronomy

    • Learn more about Astronomy Club on its webpage. Meetings will take place on Wednesday afternoons from 4:00pm- 5:00pm at Compass’s facility in Herndon. COVID measures are in place for these in-person meetings. There is one meeting per month in October, November, and December 2020, and then the club returns to two meetings per month in 2021. See complete meeting schedule on the club page.

    Astronomy Club is open to homeschooled middle school or high school students from the metro DC area. Members must sign up through the Compass Admissions Fees page where there is a nominal activity/facility fee.