GU Astronomy Club Offers Members an Inspiring View of the Universe

Published: February 08, 2026

Author: Dave Bell

Rylan Barnes. Photo by Dave Bell

For Greenville University Professor Danie Raja, studying the night sky is both awe-inspiring and humbling.

“When I look at the heavens and see all the stars and planets, I am reminded of how vast and amazing the Universe is,” Raja said. “It fills me with awe of God, who put all this together. And it confirms how humble I am in comparison.”

As the new faculty advisor to the GU Astronomy Club, he wants to share that perspective with students who, like him, are awed by the visible universe’s splendor and order.

“I want the students to see the beauty of the heavens and be motivated to learn more about God, who created it all,” said Raja, an assistant professor of engineering. “It’s truly amazing to look through a telescope and see it all in a new way.”

He also wants the club to create a community among students, a group brought together by their shared appreciation for the vastness and beauty of the universe. Such a club can involve students from several majors, each bringing a different perspective to the experience.

For years, celestial viewing at GU has been conducted from a small observatory at the John and Martha Ayers Science Field Station, located four miles north of campus. That site has been developed and used by several natural science and biology classes. Following the recent sale of the 140-acre facility, however, the University’s telescopes have been returned to campus.

Photo by Dave Bell

Raja is no stranger to peering heavenward through a telescope, having pursued astrophotography as a hobby for several years. The University’s telescopes include brackets for attaching phones or cameras, so he hopes to introduce others to photographing the heavens.

Sharing Raja’s passion for astrophotography – and all things related to astronomy – is Rylan Barnes, a sophomore from Knoxville, TN. The physics and math double major serves as the current president of GU’s Astronomy Club. He plans to pursue a doctorate in astrophysics and conduct research in astronomy.

“For me, astronomy is about studying the beauty of God’s creation,” Barnes said. “When we appreciate creation, we learn to appreciate the creator. As Psalm 19:1 says, ‘The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.’”

To share that vision of God’s revelation through the study of astronomy, Barnes is working to revitalize the astronomy club by scheduling several events during the spring semester. These include a recent trip to the St. Louis Science Center’s planetarium, an astronomy trivia event on Feb. 19 in the Upper Union, and a group viewing on March 20 of the new science fiction film Project Hail Mary, which is based on Andy Weir’s novel of the same name.

“We want to do more as a group to spark interest in the club and in astronomy in general,” Barnes said. “When the weather gets warmer, we hope to get the telescopes out and have an opportunity to view the full moon and other objects in the night sky. People are always amazed by the detail they can see through a good telescope.”

“For many people, seeing the universe in such detail is a spiritual experience,” Barnes added. “Seeing the vastness – and the details – of the heavens makes me worship God. He created all of that, yet he still cares for us as individuals.”

For more information about the club and its upcoming activities, email Barnes at Rylan.Barnes9067@panthers.greenville.edu.