to the official home of the Georgetown University Astronomical Society!
Meetings are tbd for the 2009-2010 year
As a student organization, our mission is two-fold.
First, we aim to learn about the heavens above us using our multiple telescopes, including the oldest continually operated telescope in the country. The society was founded after the renowned astronomy department at Georgetown was closed and we seek to carry on their studies, albeit informally. To this effect, we hold weekly meetings in which we observe the night skies from the Observatory.
We also organize various astronomy related trips throughout the year. In the past, destinations have included the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum, the United States Naval Observatory, local star parties, and Shenandoah National Park for camping and stargazing.
Secondly, we are responsible for the use, maintenance and preservation of the equipment in the Heyden Observatory. To this end, we are constantly involved in renovating and restoring both the telescopes and the observatory. Our most recent initiative is the SHOR committee, or the Students for the Heyden Observatory Restoration. This committee is working on a full scale renovation of the building so that it will be in the same condition as it was when it originally opened in 1843.
GUAS is a club that can be both inwardly and outwardly rewarding. If astronomy or history interests you, I encourage you to come to one of our meetings or join our mailing list for updates.
