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Upcoming Event

Apr 22, 2023: Kennedy Space Center

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IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ THE RULES AND REGULATIONS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT All spots are full, unfortunately! We'll announce if and when more open up. We are excited to announce a trip to Kennedy Space Center on April 22, 2023! Join us as we explore the history and future of space exploration, and witness firsthand the incredible technology and innovation that has made space travel possible. During our trip, we will have the opportunity to tour the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, which includes exhibits and displays on the history of NASA and the space program, as well as interactive experiences and multimedia presentations. We will also have the chance to see some of the most iconic sites at Kennedy Space Center, including the launch pads, the Vehicle Assembly Building, and the Saturn V rocket. This trip is open to all members of the Astronomy and Astrophysics Society who are currently enrolled in the university and are in good academic standing. Permission from par...

Apr 18, 2023: Grady's Grounds Espresso Break Fundraiser

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Grady Robbins, AAS Secretary, hosted his third Espresso Break of the school year on 18 April 2023 in the undergrad lounge. We also had our bake sale to take place during this time. Overall, this was a successful fundraiser for the club.

Apr 11, 2023: Guest Speaker - Dr. Sarah Ballard

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For the second guest speaker of the series, we were joined by Dr. Sarah Ballard, an astrophysicist and an assistant professor at the University of Florida. Dr. Ballard earned her undergraduate degree in Astrophysics from UC Berkeley and completed her Ph.D. from Harvard University. During the event, Dr. Ballard talked about her research in observational studies of exoplanets. Through her research, she attempts to answer whether there exists a blueprint planetary system around small stars and whether that blueprint is can support life and evolution. You can read more about her and her research on her website !

Mar 30, 2023: Destress with AAS

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The Astronomy and Astrophysics Society at the University of Florida organized a de-stressing event for students on March 30, 2023. The event included coloring activities, snacks, and a movie playing in the background. Students had the opportunity to take a break from their studies and relax in a calming environment, and recharge before returning to their studies. The new club t-shirts were also distributed.

Mar 24, 2023: CTO Observing Night

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The University of Florida Campus Teaching Observatory hosted an observing night where students got the opportunity to observe celestial bodies through telescopes at UF's Campus Teaching Observatory. It was a clear, crisp night, and students were excited to catch a glimpse of the craters on the moon, Venus, the Pleiades star cluster, and the Orion Nebula. As each student peered through the eyepiece, their faces lit up with wonder and amazement. The experience sparked a newfound curiosity and fascination with space that many said they would pursue further, leaving the observatory feeling inspired and energized. The Campus Teaching Observatory organizes a public observing night every Friday, open to any guest. Be sure to come out to the next observing night! Grady Robbins, an astronomy student at UF and an AAS officer, looking through one of the telescopes. It was a clear night. Pictured here is the constellation Orion, captured by AAS officer Rishabh Tatiraju. A couple of telescopes ...

Mar 21, 2023: CV Building Workshop

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On March 21, 2023, the Astronomy and Astrophysics Society held a general body meeting (GBM) to discuss upcoming club events. The meeting was well attended by undergraduate and graduate students alike. Following the GBM, the club hosted a CV-building workshop for undergraduate students. The workshop featured graduate students as speakers who provided valuable insights on building an effective curriculum vitae (CV) for future job and internship applications. The graduate students shared their experiences and tips on crafting a strong CV, including highlighting relevant coursework, research experience, and extracurricular activities. The workshop provided a great opportunity for undergraduate students to gain valuable information and advice from graduate students who have recently gone through the process of applying for jobs and internships. Overall, the CV-building workshop was a great success and provided a valuable learning experience for all attendees. We thank our graduate volunteer...

Feb 7, 2023: Guest Speaker - Dr. Rana Ezzeddine

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On February 7, 2023, we were joined by Dr. Rana Ezzeddine, who is an astrophysicist at the University of Florida, and whose primary interest is in stars and uncovering the mysteries behind the first stars and galaxies. She talked about her research in stellar astrophysics, galactic  archaeology and formation of heavy metals in early universe . Galactic archaeology is a field of astronomy that studies the formation and evolution of the Milky Way galaxy by analyzing its oldest stars and their chemical composition. The goal of galactic archaeology is to reconstruct the history of our galaxy, including its formation and early stages of development, and the way stars and elements were created and distributed throughout the galaxy . During the lifetime of a star, lighter elements such as hydrogen and helium are fused together to form heavier elements like carbon and oxygen. If a star is massive enough, it can continue to fuse elements up to iron. However, elements heavier than iron can o...