Astronomy Club: Gazing at the stars at Bull City
{Contributed Photo: Lexington Astronomy Club}
What does a Business Intelligence Analyst/Developer and a Desktop Support Technician II have in common, gazing at the universe of course. Amateur astronomer John Dobson once said “Everybody wants to understand this universe. They’re just waiting for someone to present it to them.”
Founding Astronomy Club partners Mike Huneycutt and Brandon McGlumphy started their Astronomy Club in Lexington on June 4, 2022, Brandon stated, “We actually started out on the sidewalk on the square in Lexington, letting passers-by look through my telescope, very much in the spirit of amateur astronomer John Dobson.”
These astronomy enthusiasts didn’t begin right there on the sidewalk. Mike began his love for astronomy about 13 years ago, he says, “ I purchased my first telescope and started exploring. Seeing Saturn through a telescope was probably the defining moment, much more exciting than in a textbook at school.”
Brandon says that growing up he remembers checking out space related books from the library and that his parents purchased a telescope for him when he was in middle school. It wasn’t until December of 2020 that he purchased his own telescope, a 10” Orion for a spectacular event when Jupiter and Saturn would appear to be a double planet and illuminate a super-bright light.
The purpose of Astronomy Club is to share the experiences of the universe with people and give those who don't have access to a telescope the opportunity to become excited about space the same way they have.
Saturday, August 6, 2022 at 8PM their club will be viewing the moon and will grant access for others to look through the Orion telescope at Bull City Ciderworks in Lexington. Others with telescopes are encouraged to bring their own. Saturn will begin to peek out around 10:30pm. This event is subject to weather and cloud cover.
