Astronomy Club

The Astronomy Club began in 2013 with a small group of students and has since grown into one of SST’s most sought-after CCAs. Members engage in talks and workshops, stargazing and telescope-handling sessions, sky-observation logs, and astrophotography (from planning to post-processing). They also take part in field trips and learning journeys, research groups, and space-data analysis projects that strengthen evidence-based reasoning. For students who enjoy challenge, the club provides structured competition training and participation.

A defining feature of the club is leadership through teaching: student leaders facilitate sessions, mentor juniors, and communicate science clearly. With the addition of a school Observatory and Radio Station (for radio-astronomy learning and outreach), members will have even more authentic platforms to explore and serve.

Training

• Wednesdays (3.00pm to 5.00pm)

• Monthly star gazing trip within school compound (6.00pm to 9.00pm)

Key Competitions/ Programmes

Astronomy Competitions

• AstroChallenge

• Astrigue

• Singapore Astronomy Olympiad

• Thai Astronomical Conference

Space Science Competitions

• International Space Challenge

• Satellite Design Competition

Astronomy Field Trips

• Institute of Physics Astronomy Retreat

• Field Trip to Chiangmai to the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT)

Achievements/ Milestones

FCC Radio License

Since November 2023, our FCC Radio Licensing program has demonstrated consistent growth and success. Beginning with an initial cohort of 6 licensed participants, the program expanded significantly in 2024 with 21 successful certifications, followed by an additional 10 students earning their licenses in 2025. To date, the initiative has empowered 37 individuals to achieve their official radio credentials.

FCC Licensing Success Overview

2025

• 11th Thailand Astronomy Conference (TAC) :

  • Gold Medal: Gavriel Chia Kai Ze and Teh Tian Cheng’s research project on Evaluation of 10.7cm and 30cm radio flux as proxies of solar activity* * Silver Medal: Ishaan Rai and Akshay Muraleedharan’s research project on Measurements of the speeds of the various regions in the Milky Way Galaxy using a parabolic grid dish antenna

• Singapore Astronomy Olympiad (SAO) 2025: * The club recorded its best performance in 10 years. * Gold Medal: Lim Kai Jun (Ranked 18th overall). * Silver Medals: Teh Tian Cheng (Ranked 28th) and Gavriel Chia (Ranked 41st).

• AstroChallenge 2025: * SST was represented by five teams in this premier competition organized by NUS and NTU. * Finalists: The team comprising Aurelius Li, Chiew Leung Yin, and Toh Hong Rui (Trevor) secured 5th position in the Team Round during the Grand Finals.

• Space Data Series 2025: * Students competed in a "competitive finale" on November 28, using satellite imagery and data-driven solutions to solve climate challenges.

2024

• 10th Thailand Astronomy Conference (TAC): * Gold Medal: Harish Ram and Poon Zhiler won for their research project: "Observation of the 21-cm hydrogen spectral line of the Milky Way galaxy using a homemade horn antenna." This marked the club's second year participating in this international research competition in Chiang Mai.

• International Space Challenge (ISC) 2024: * Merit Award (Starter Category): Won by Team Astra (Warad Sanath Manjunath, Natania Sree Dinesh, and Ramya Thanigai Arasu).

  • SST was represented by a total of six teams (Astra, Astro, Ester, Galaxy, Hester, and Nova) focused on the theme "Living in Space."

• 4th Kibo Robot Programming Challenge (Kibo-RPC): * 2nd Place Overall (Grand Finals): Team "SST 1" (Nagarajan Vimal Balaji, Shaun Chua Enqi, and Teh Tian Cheng) represented Singapore in a 10-nation final. They programmed Astrobee robots to navigate and hit targets on the International Space Station (ISS).

Astronomy Outreach Efforts (Public)

Attending Talks by Scientists (Dr Steven Vance, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory)

Learning Journeys to Observatories (Tech Dome Penang)

Participating in Astronomy Competitions (Poster & Quiz)

Overseas Trip to AstroPark