Freshman physics major Pearl Allmon tours the Clarence T. Jones Observatory during her first week at UTC. Photo by Carter Graham.
As students stepped onto campus for the first time or returned to the familiar surroundings of life on campus, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga offered a chance to explore the night sky.
Early in the semester, as part of Welcome Week, the Clarence T. Jones Observatory’s open house—MOCS Under the Stars—hosted nearly 100 UTC students curious about the surrounding galaxy.
This was the second year the observatory open house was part of the opening week festivities. The Clarence T. Jones Observatory is located about 10 minutes southeast of campus at 10 N. Tuxedo Ave.
Observatory Director Steven Kline said this year was a welcome sight compared to last year’s turnout.
“We did a better job getting the word out a bit this year,” Kline explained. “One example was the College of Arts and Sciences Welcome Bash out on Heritage Plaza between the University Center and Grote Hall. We had solar scopes out during a really peak spot next to that big plaza. That was eye-catching. We were able to get the word of mouth a bit there as well.”
Kline hosted the interactive planetarium show for all attendees. Students asked questions, and some even got to visit their favorite planet.
The event was open to all students, and attendees included several who wish to study physics or have a general interest in space.
Jay Guthrie, an undecided first-year student, was advised by one of his professors to attend the event if interested.
“I started watching YouTube videos about it,” he said. “I just think it’s so cool, the fact that there’s so much unknown. You want to comprehend, so that’s why you want to keep searching for more.”
Guthrie was struck by the photos hanging from the walls of the 90-year-old observatory building, many of which had been captured from the locally made Cassegrain telescope on the second floor.
Jay Guthrie, left, was among the UTC students visiting the Clarence T. Jones Observatory during the MOCS Under the Stars open house.
Pearl Allmon, a first-year physics major from Rhea County, discovered her passion for space years ago when a solar eclipse shrouded much of the Chattanooga area in darkness.
“I’ve always loved the stars,” she explained. “I’ve always loved space and the night sky. My entire plan is to major in physics, maybe get into astronomy and work for NASA someday. I’m working on that.
“I wanted to come here because there aren’t a lot of resources at home. When I was younger, my parents bought me a telescope for one of my birthdays, and I’ve always just loved looking at the sky.”
Allmon was greeted at the observatory by members of the newly restarted UTC Astronomy Club, including club president Giada Puhlman, who is double-majoring in physics and mechanical engineering.
Puhlman was elected president this past spring after the club was revived.
“We wanted to do something with space that wasn’t overly rigorously academic,” Puhlman said. “We formed our own little group and started gaining members.”
The club will be working the Jones Observatory’s weekly Sunday Star Parties, which are open to the public. The Star Parties offer a chance to learn more about space through a lecture on an astronomy topic, a planetarium show and an opportunity to look through the historic telescope.
Allmon said she feels more connected to the University after attending.
“It was great learning that there was an observatory right near campus,” she said. “Learning that they do this every Sunday night makes my entire year.”
Kline aims to continue to grow campus enthusiasm for space.
“We’re hoping to keep this momentum with student engagement,” Kline said. “We’re recruiting to get students if they want to engage, maybe a bit more casually, outside of a full physics degree.”
Kline hopes that anyone interested in space will attend events or consider joining the Astronomy Club.
“We really want to spark a little bit of curiosity,” Kline explained. “I try to highlight things they can go home and look at; maybe they can get some gears turning. Then, maybe that extends to, ‘There’s another star I see over here that stands out. What constellation is that a part of? Well, what is a star?’ I hope that organically spreads from there and maybe it will snowball.”
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UTC Department of Physics and Astronomy
The planetarium at the Clarence T. Jones Observatory.
