Franklin County, News, Russellville
 By  Staff Reports Published 
10:34 am Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Students go star gazing

Rocket Team Captain Andrew Heath learns about constellations using a special piece of astronomy equipment called a Star Wheel.

Rocket Team Captain Andrew Heath learns about constellations using a special piece of astronomy equipment called a Star Wheel.

By Macy Reeves for the FCT

 

Nov. 21, the RHS Rocket Team hosted astronomy night at Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow’s Cypress Cove Farm.

The idea came about after a trip to the NASA space center, in which Morrow and Rocky Stone began to plan the night and converse with the rocket team.

Morrow said the astronomy night was all about “children learning – brilliant children learning natural science and astronomy.” The event was open to the RHS Rocket Team, their family members and a group from Red Bay that plans on competing in the TARC event this year.

Three astronomers – Dr. Melvin Blake, who runs the observatory and planetarium at the University of North Alabama; Rocky Stone, from Russellville High School; and Eric Geater, a volunteer who has a love for astronomy – attended the event to help set up equipment and show attendees how to use it.

“It would be nice if some of these students came to UNA,” Blake said. “At least go online and look at it. And I’m always interested in getting people interested in astronomy.”

Astronomy night began with a warm welcome and greeting from Morrow, his wife and the RHS Rocket Team. When the night sky cleared, the astronomers began their set-up of three separate telescopes.

“I think it’s awesome that we have young people who are interested in astronomy and rocketry. It’s my hope and prayer that we can show some of God’s beauty to these young people,” said the vice president of the Shoals Astronomy Club, Matthew Sherrill.

The Shoals Astronomy Club meets the last Thursday of the month and will be doing an observation Dec. 13 at the UNA Planetarium. Anyone is welcome to join the club. Fees are $10 every six months.

After teaching everyone how to use the equipment, the three astronomers directed their telescopes in different directions, allowing everyone the chance to view objects in outer space.

“When it’s the first time someone sees the rings of Saturn or the craters of the moon, it’s a good feeling I showed it to them,” said Geater.

 

Also on Franklin County Times
Thorpe to play at Blue Mountain Christian
High School Sports, News, Russellville, ...
Brannon King For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE – Brennon Thorpe made his plans official to attend Blue Mountain Christian University and play baseball for the Toppers during a recent s...
Russellville High Class of 1967 gathers, reminisces
Columnists, News, Opinion, ...
HERE AND NOW
July 16, 2025
You can’t really go back to the good old days of high school, but you can pay them a visit now and then. That’s exactly what the RHS Class of 1967 has...
Former Cypress Lakes official to lead Guntersville State Park
Lifestyles, News
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
GUNTERSVILLE — Heath Puckett had an Auburn University degree and golf course superintendent certification in his pocket when he arrived at Cypress Lak...
European travel builds bonds across cultures
Lifestyles, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE -- A group of Franklin County travelers spent nine days this summer walking through catacombs, exploring castles and standing in places w...
Little Free Library welcomes readers in East Franklin
Lifestyles, News, Phil Campbell
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
PHIL CAMPBELL — Eleven-year-old Aiden Hall is an avid reader, but he doesn’t just want to read books. He also wants to share them, and the way he deci...
King becomes elementary curriculum director
Lifestyles, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELVILLE — Molly King says every child can learn, though not necessarily in the same way or on the same day — a belief she plans to carry into her ...
New Junior Leaders begin their training
Franklin County, News
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
FRANKLIN COUNTY — Forty-two high school students from across Franklin County are beginning 10 months of hands-on leadership training and community ser...
Fire destroys 2-story garage, guest suite
Main, News, Russellville, ...
Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
R U S S E L LV I L L E – Jason Gist leaned against the wall of his home with a look of disgust while dozens of firefighters worked to extinguish a fir...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Stories
July 4, 2025Augusto Simon Diaz, 42, of Russellville, passed away July 4. Visitation and funeral were held at Spry Memorial Chapel on July 12 from 2pm ...
July 16, 2025
July 8, 2025Jamie Kerby Cummings, 41, of Russellville, passed away on July 8. Visitation took place July 13, at Spry Memorial Chapel from 1 pm to 3pm....
July 16, 2025
July 11,2025Julie “JuJu” Welch Black, 63, of Russellville, passed away on July 11.Graveside service was held at 1pm on July 13, at Belgreen Cemetery w...
July 16, 2025
July 9, 2025Scott Noel Benford, age 58, of Muscle Shoals, passed away on July 9. Visitation was held at Pinkard Funeral Home in Russellville on July 1...
July 16, 2025