‘Twas a rainy, foggy day when Club 25 Rotarians journeyed to the UMD campus for this week’s program at UMD’s Alworth Planetarium. Nevertheless, it was almost a capacity crowd (just under 60) that nearly filled the available seats at the site. Box lunches, prepared by the UMD food service, were available as members and guests arrived.

 

 

Some members joined others for lunch at tables in the entrance way while late arrivers took their box lunches directly to the blue-lighted auditorium. One might have surmised that this was an eerie atmosphere in which to fellowship with others – but, not so, it was just different and inviting. Anticipation was high as, little by little, the room began to fill and there was some
conjecture that there would be an over-flow crowd.

 

But all worked out well as our genial president, Steve Yorde, banged on the bell with his umbrella to call the meeting to order. His first remark, “The podium gavel is still missing and hence the substitute bell-ringer.” Darlene Anderson’s invocation was super (as it usually is when she provides this part of the meeting). Darlene recalled one of her favorite times in the summer season when she and her husband spread a blanket on the lawn in the dark, dark night to just look at the stars. “It’s a joyful time to just appreciate the miracle of the universe and the power it took to create it.” Her prayer included a deep appreciation for the wonder of the universe and how amazed and thankful one can become at each opportunity to take it all in.

 

President Steve welcomed four guests at today’s meeting. They were Grant Hauschild, guest of Robin Pestalozzi, David Yount, guest of Geiger Yount, Jessica Herrington, guest of Marc Seigar, and Greta Volkman, guest of Edie Michalski. President Steve decided to
forego the Fellowship report for this meeting and move that event to next week’s meeting. He did announce the names of Club 25 members who have celebrated (or will be celebrating) birthdays during the month of March. The birthday list included Jen Smith, Bill Himango, Chana Stocke, Craig Chilcote, Allen Anway, Earl Rogers, Pat Holliday, Ruth Westra, Bill Gravelle and Rob Hofmann. Applause from the crowd substituted for the singing of the Happy Birthday song.

 

Geiger Yount was today’s Chairperson of the Day. She used her time to introduce our own Marc Seigar whose responsibility as Associate Dean of the Physics and Astronomy Departments includes oversight of the operation of the Marshall W. Alworth  planetarium. Marc reports that “I grew up curious about the universe.”  It was this curiosity the led him to complete his under-graduate and graduate work in London and Liverpool, England. Prior to his coming to UMD, PhD Marc had professional assignments in Hawaii, California and Arkansas. Geiger reminded members that Marc was returning as a program presenter by popular demand. And, once again, Club 25 members were enthusiastic in their appraisal of and applause for today’s program which Marc entitled “A Universe Full of Galaxies and How to Find New Ones.”

 

Using the magnificent domed ceiling upon which were projected millions of stars, galaxies and constellations, Marc began his presentation by speaking about planet Earth’s place in the solar system. Using his electronic red pointer, Marc showed us pictures of our galaxy, the Milky Way, which has about two hundred billion stars in it. He mentioned that the Hubbell telescope is the instrument that has, over the years, helped astronomers explore and discover previously unknown stars and systems in the universe. The universe is composed of perhaps two trillion galaxies. That led Marc to review for his listeners the various types of galaxies, of which six were singled out as being of the type Marc wanted his audience to become more knowledgeable about. He stated, “Sometimes, with luck, an astronomer will see something that has never been seen before.”

 

It was at this point that Marc presented a YouTube video that featured one of Marc’s students, Burçin Mutlu-Pakdil, who happened to discover a galaxy that now bears her name. It was thrilling for Marc and his audience to see the pride of accomplishment in this young woman’s countenance as she described the process that led to the accomplishment of her discovery.

 

Moving on, Marc introduced Jessica Herrington, the present keeper of the Alworth Planetarium. Jessica took her audience on a star show that included the naming and positioning of several constellations. Some Club 25 members recalled their earlier learnings about The Big Dipper, The Little Dipper, Orion, The Great Bear and The Little Bear. Under Jessica’s direction, we explored the positioning of these constellations and how to identify them. Jessica pointed out that the planetarium has free shows every Wednesday evening and admission shows on Fridays and Saturdays for those interested in investigating the universe in more detail.

 

All in all, Marc’s program was so well worth the extra effort that was required to attend, and the applause at the conclusion of the meeting was telling – it was a great show! President Steve gave his usual announcement that a book will be donated in Marc’s honor to the Piedmont Elementary school library; the 50/50 drawing was won by David Gaddy; and there were smiles a plenty as members filed out of the auditorium and back into the daylight.

 

 

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is a youth leadership camp that gives high school students hands-on active learning activities and sessions to build on their own leadership skills. RYLA 5580 is sponsored by Rotary International District 5580 for a week each summer at the University of Minnesota Crookston campus.

· Potential leaders attending high schools located in Rotary District 5580

· Students entering their senior (preferable) or junior year of high school

· Individuals involved in school activities including athletics, fine arts and student government

· Individuals with volunteer and/or work experience

· Students with good academic records

 

For more information and to submit your application: http://district5580ryla.org/application/