By Hilary Chee Xin Yi (Chairperson) and Ng Zi Xuan (Vice-Chairperson)
How soon unaccountable I became tired and sick,
“When I Heard the Learn’d Astronomer” by Walt Whitman
Till rising and gliding out I wander’d off by myself,
In the mystical moist night-air, and from time to time,
Look’d up in perfect silence at the stars.
Welcome to RI Astro, your second family in Raffles! Amidst your hectic JC lives, RI Astro will always be your home amongst the stars. We promise to satiate your astronomical curiosity, be it an astrophysical fascination with neutron stars and black holes, or an astrological desire for the stars to align on the morning of your A Levels.
Astronomy is one of mankind’s most venerable scientific disciplines, with discoveries stretching all the way back to the earliest civilisations. While it may seem antiquated, for us astronomers who stay late in school every Tuesday, astronomy is so much more than outmoded historical practice or unfeeling science.
It’s a moment of communion with the stars, and a time of self-reflection and appreciation of the sublime beauty and sheer scale of the universe. It’s a session of sharing: an exploration of our interests and the free flow of knowledge among like-minded peers.
Our members have diverse interests: capturing ancient photons via astrophotography, unravelling the mysteries behind mind-bending black holes, glimpsing our evolutionary reflection in astrobiology, and many more.
Astronomy remains one of the few sciences in which amateurs like us can play an active role! From the discovery of new celestial phenomena to recording once-in-a-lifetime events, each of us can contribute to the ever-growing body of astronomical knowledge.
What are CCA Sessions like?
We have weekly sessions on Tuesdays from 6.30-9.30pm which consist of a short lecture, fun and games, and stargazing! Possessing one of the finest telescope collections among local JCs, Raffles Astronomers will take you into the depths of nebulae, colourful stars, and galaxies.
Singapore may be light-polluted, but no artificial glare can obscure our passion for the night sky. Through our sessions, the brightest constellations and star clusters will become as familiar as the back of your hand.
We also hold special stargazing sessions throughout the year to view astronomical events.
Is that all there is?
For those of you with an insatiable thirst for knowledge, we’ve got your back covered. We regularly take part in prestigious competitions such as the Singapore Astronomy Olympiad (affiliated with the International Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad) and NUS-NTU Astro-Challenge. In fact, despite the stiff competition, RI has been the reigning champion of Astro-Challenge for four consecutive years!
Many of our members have learnt a lot from participating, and more importantly, they’ve forged invaluable friendships through these memorable experiences.
Is there any outreach I can take part in?
We regularly host events to connect with and give back to the wider community as a CCA! Our annual carnival, Astronite, is where we set up booths and games alongside fellow Astronomy clubs from other schools to share our cosmic fascination with the public.
We are also the hosts of Astrigue, an astronomy competition for secondary school students to challenge themselves and be inspired to delve deeper into the wonders Astronomy has to offer.
These are just some of the many cool things you can look forward to. Astro is special… because we’re all about YOU! Our members are more than welcome to propose their own initiatives for the club, so really, the only limit to your Astro sessions is your imagination.
Should I really join?
If you’re looking for a safe space to unwind at the end of a long day with fun, friends and stars, Astronomy Club is the CCA for you.
Whether you’re a party animal or a hard mugger, RI Astro has a place for everyone—no prior experience required! Come with us on a journey to the stars and an idyllic evening under the moonlight!