The soft glow of laptop screens illuminates a classroom. A group of students, their eyes fixed on a digital projection of distant galaxies, are engrossed in a lively discussion. This is a meeting of the Greenhills Astronomy Club, a community ignited by the spark of ESSU.

Greenhills School is known for its supportive environment where students can pursue their passions, and the Astronomy Club is an example of this spirit. The club allows students to explore their shared love for the cosmos with their peers.

Nandan Narayanan ’26, one of the club’s three founders and leaders, credits ESSU as the spark that ignited his passion for astronomy and led to the creation of this unique club. 

“ESSU was a turning point for me, inspiring me to pursue a career in astronomy and start the Astronomy Club,” said Narayanan.

 The course, taught by Deano Smith, not only opened students’ eyes to the wonders of space but also provided the foundational knowledge needed to build a community of like-minded students.

This exploration of space didn’t just stay confined to the classroom. For many Greenhills students, ESSU became more than an academic requirement—it served as a gateway to deeper interests.

Smith notes how the class engages students with topics like planetary science and astrophysics. ​​ESSU inspires students to take their learning outside of the classroom and into real-world applications.

“One of the things I love about Greenhills is how we empower students to do things they truly enjoy,” said Smith. “It’s all driven by students with a genuine interest in the topic.”

With this encouragement, Parth Ashok ‘26 Royal Seale ‘26 and Narayanan took their newfound passion and turned it into something tangible. They envisioned a space where students could explore the universe in greater depth, while also fostering a sense of community. From this idea, the astronomy club was born.

The club quickly attracted other students with an enthusiasm for the stars. Becoming a gathering place for stargazers and science enthusiasts. 

“The astronomy club is a place where everyone shares a passion for exploring the universe,” said Narayanan. The club’s activities include various presentations, memorization games and in club competitions. Later they plan to organize stargazing sessions in collaboration with ESSU. These hands-on experiences allow members to apply the concepts they learned in a meaningful way. 

The enthusiasm of the club’s members has helped the Astronomy Club flourish. Ben Zheng ’26, a member of the club, shared his excitement for the group. “I’ve always been very interested in Astronomy,” said Zheng. “Joining the Astronomy Club has been amazing. It’s great to have a place where I can connect with other people who share my passion and learn more about the universe.” 

Zheng’s enthusiasm is just one example of the positive impact the club has had on its members.

As the club grows,  the leaders of the Astronomy Club  hope to inspire even more students to take an interest in astronomy. The club is open to everyone, no matter their level of experience or knowledge. 

“The more students who join, the more the excitement and passion for space will grow, encouraging more people to get involved and learn about astronomy.” said Narayanan. The journey from ESSU to the creation of the astronomy club shows the power of education to spark curiosity and inspire action. Through the dedication of both students and faculty, Greenhills continues to provide a space where ideas can flourish and passions can grow.