The purpose of the SAS is to educate students and the public about astronomy, bring together undergraduate astronomy majors, professors, and research opportunities, and further the interest of individuals who are not astronomy majors.

Towards this end, we hold regular meetings, offer public observing nights, sponsor lectures, provide tutoring in Astronomy classes, and participate in Inreach/Outreach programs for local primary and secondary school students.

Activities

Public Observing Nights
One to two Fridays per month, SAS runs public observing nights at the Angell Hall Observatory on central campus. This event is free and open to U of M students, faculty, and staff as well as the general public. Our facilities include a 0.4 meter Ritchey-Cretien reflector in the dome and several 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes on the rooftop. We also have access to a computer lab on the 5th floor for visitors to try out planetarium software or surf the web for astronomy related resources. In August 2004, a spectacular new planetarium was installed in Angell Hall. It is available during all open houses.

Check our Open House Page for more information.

Additionally, we organize gatherings to view special events such as meteor showers, comets, eclipses, and the occasional Transit of Venus either on campus for the public or from a dark site for officers and members of the club.

Public Lectures
SAS sponsors lectures on popular topics in astronomy and astrophysics. These lectures are given by professors, graduate students or other faculty from the University of Michigan as well as from visiting guests. In Fall 2003, we held a 5-part lecture series on Cosmic Origins featuring noted astronomy professors from across the country. During Fall 2005, we held a 5-part lecture series entitled "The Invisible Universe: Einstein's Legacy" . In the Spring of 2007 we held a student organized lecture series in conjunction with the Society of Biology Students entitled "Astrobiology". We also hold smaller lecture series most other semesters. Recently we have concluded our 5-part lecture series of the Fall 2007 "Scales of the Universe". For the first time this lecture was recorded and can be found here.

Inreach/Outreach
About eight years ago, SAS began an inreach/outreach program for local elementary and middle school students that continues today. Our goal is to teach kids about science and astronomy through activities and hands-on experience. Sometimes we hold these events concurrently with the Society of Physics Students.

Tutoring
During the Fall and Winter terms the SAS holds weekly free tutoring sessions for students in introductory astronomy classes. Check the tutoring page for more information.

Special Seminars
In an effort to give undergraduates interested in astronomy as a career a clear understanding of the profession we hold special seminars. These seminars have included discussions with graduate students about graduate work in astronomy and applying to graduate schools, career possibilties with a degree in Astronomy, summer internships, and gaining necessary research skills.

Meetings
SAS holds biweekly meetings each term, usually several days before a Public Observing Night. The meetings are very informal. Members discuss and plan events for the term.