The members of the CSUN Astronomy Club share a passion for anything and everything celestial and host numerous activities that engage the whole CSUN community, from movie nights to discussions.

“I noticed that we had no astronomy club…there was no place for anyone that’s into astronomy to get together,” Michael Artinian, 24, senior astrophysics major and club president and founder said. “I thought it was kind of a shame.”

Although Artinian started the club just last semester it increased to 15 members who regularly attend the events.

“We’ve gotten together for two lunar eclipses,” said Garrett Limon, 21, senior physics major and vice president of the astronomy club. “We do movie nights and those are always fun, last time was The Fifth Element…and we use the planetarium for the movies.”

For members, the club is a way to socialize, learn and discuss issues pertinent to the community.

“It’s great to get together with a group of people who are passionate about the same things I am,” Wolgast said. “Sometimes we have heated debates about which series is better: Star Wars or Star Trek. Sounds like a nerd cliché, but it’s actually very fun.”

Artinian is currently getting trained to work the campus observatory and would like to hold more events there as soon as he is allowed to operate it.

For the members, the Astronomy Club is more than just an occasional extra-curricular activity it also helps them develop life skills.

“It’s put me in a leadership position, which is new for me, I’m taking on a lot of responsibility,” Artinian said. “I’ve also met a lot of cool, interesting people that I wouldn’t have met otherwise.”

The club can be contacted via email at csunastronomyclub@gmail.com or through Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/csunastro.