Author: Diana H. Zhao
Volunteering in astronomy has been one of the most exciting and eye-opening experiences of my life. I never imagined that I would spend my evening helping people explore the night sky, but through my volunteer work, I discovered not only the beauty of the universe but also how much people were interested in astronomy, too.
I arrived early in the evening to help set up. I helped carry equipment to the place where we could see the planets. The place where we got to explore the night sky was held in Washington, DC, near the Air and Space Museum. I had always been interested in astronomy, but I never realized how much work and passion went into sharing that wonder with others until I began volunteering at the American Boötes Astronomical Society. Families, students, curious visitors, and even the U.S military came to learn about the stars, planets, and galaxies above us.
The most meaningful part of the experience was interacting with people who had never seen the planets or stars so clearly before. One of my favorite moments was when I actually got to see the sun, because I usually just looked at pictures of the sun online, but this experience showed me the sun with my own eyes.
Volunteering in astronomy didn’t just deepen my knowledge of science—it sparked a passion to keep learning and to keep sharing. Every time I look up at the night sky now, I will always remember the opportunity this gave me, all thanks to the American Boötes Astronomical Society, partnering with CYOC’s (Capital Youth Outreach Club) help.
Website Editor: Sophia Wang
华府青年 CYOC 
You must be logged in to post a comment.