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Star Project

 

For every Sophomore Class at 黑料不打烊, astronomy quickly becomes synonymous with mathematics. In the sophomore curriculum, students wrestle with the works of Ptolemy, Copernicus, and Kepler, mathematicians who sought to understand and predict the motions of the celestial bodies. 

In studying alongside these great minds, the sophomores consider different geometric models of the universe and study the motions of the orbiting planets from both a geocentric and heliocentric perspective. Though this leads the students into some complicated proofs and calculations as the year goes on, they make their beginning as amateur astronomers by looking into the sky and observing the motions of the stars for themselves.

Photos: Star Project
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While reading Ptolemy鈥檚 Almagest, the sophomores work on the beloved 鈥淪tar Project,鈥 a series of careful observations of the heavenly bodies. They choose a star and watch it set for several consecutive evenings, noting the time and location where it dips below the horizon in order to see Ptolemy鈥檚 ideas in action. They also observe the subtle motion of the heavens, track the sun鈥檚 progressions, and identify Polaris, the North Star. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just so amazing to me that, for thousands of years, people have been navigating using Polaris,鈥 says Kienan McManus (鈥27). 

Many nights this fall found students on the New England campus sprawled on the grass by their residence halls, looking up at the sky with wonder. Upperclassmen speak fondly of their experience with the assignment. 鈥淚 loved doing the star project my Sophomore Year,鈥 says Laura Castillo (鈥26). 鈥淢y roommate and I would go out stargazing every night and just marvel at the sky.鈥 

Even after the completion of the project, students are left with a deep sense of appreciation for the workings of the heavens. 鈥淭he universe is fascinating,鈥 says Gerald Faist (鈥27). 鈥淚 can鈥檛 wait to keep learning about it!鈥