<p>Astronomy is not everyone’s cup of tea. But for Akshay Kumar, a literally star-struck 17-year-old City college student, amateur astronomy has been a passion.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Driven by the passion, he chose to start a collective called Sheraton Astronomy Club.<br /><br />The club had only 70 student members when it was started two years ago. Today, this collective promoting astronomy as a hobby and a potential career path, has over 600 members. <br /><br />In fact, today Sheraton intends to make foray into schools and trigger interest in astronomy among students at a tender age.<br /><br />To make pursuit of astronomy more meaningful, the Sheraton Club now holds regular career counselling sessions.<br /><br />The Grand Star Party organised by the club in the City recently is a testimony to its successful journey. The event saw the participation of important persons in the field such as Dr GSD Babu, director of MP Birla Institute of Fundamental Research; Dr Sriraghavan, director of Brain Stars – Innovation in Education, Naveen Nanjundappa – vice president, Bangalore Astronomical Society and Sivashankara Sastry, astronomy educator, Kolar. <br />Night sky observation and astrophotography sessions were the highlights of the event.<br /><br />“Astronomy is like an ocean. I want to share my interest in the subject with others and the club has provided the much-needed platform in the City,” said Akshay, a student of Jain College V V Puram.<br /><br />Moreover, the club does not limit itself to holding events. It conducts outreach programmes in schools regularly and teaches astronomy for an hour for free, he said.<br /><br />Another key component of the club is research in amateur astronomy. Members are also taken to Nikaya Observatory, near Hosur, to have hands-on experience. Now that the club has come this far, I want to popularise it on a large scale, added Akshay.</p>
<p>Astronomy is not everyone’s cup of tea. But for Akshay Kumar, a literally star-struck 17-year-old City college student, amateur astronomy has been a passion.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Driven by the passion, he chose to start a collective called Sheraton Astronomy Club.<br /><br />The club had only 70 student members when it was started two years ago. Today, this collective promoting astronomy as a hobby and a potential career path, has over 600 members. <br /><br />In fact, today Sheraton intends to make foray into schools and trigger interest in astronomy among students at a tender age.<br /><br />To make pursuit of astronomy more meaningful, the Sheraton Club now holds regular career counselling sessions.<br /><br />The Grand Star Party organised by the club in the City recently is a testimony to its successful journey. The event saw the participation of important persons in the field such as Dr GSD Babu, director of MP Birla Institute of Fundamental Research; Dr Sriraghavan, director of Brain Stars – Innovation in Education, Naveen Nanjundappa – vice president, Bangalore Astronomical Society and Sivashankara Sastry, astronomy educator, Kolar. <br />Night sky observation and astrophotography sessions were the highlights of the event.<br /><br />“Astronomy is like an ocean. I want to share my interest in the subject with others and the club has provided the much-needed platform in the City,” said Akshay, a student of Jain College V V Puram.<br /><br />Moreover, the club does not limit itself to holding events. It conducts outreach programmes in schools regularly and teaches astronomy for an hour for free, he said.<br /><br />Another key component of the club is research in amateur astronomy. Members are also taken to Nikaya Observatory, near Hosur, to have hands-on experience. Now that the club has come this far, I want to popularise it on a large scale, added Akshay.</p>