IU Astronomy graduate students hosted the first Astronomy on Tap event of the year at The Orbit Room on February 11, 2026. With a Valentine’s Day theme, the event featured engaging talks by graduate students Tash Sandford and Katherine Barber that connected astronomy with the spirit of the holiday.
In addition to the talks, graduate student Anika Goel gave a short presentation on Astronomy in the News: a segment meant to highlight any recent astronomical developments advertised by the media. The event also featured an interactive game titled "Smash or Pass" in which audience members guessed whether popular astronomy news headlines were real or fabricated.
Astronomy on Tap (AoT) is a global outreach program that brings short, free, public astronomy talks to local venues in an informal setting. Events often include trivia, games, prizes, music, and interactive activities, making astronomy accessible and engaging for a broad audience.
The Bloomington chapter is currently organized by IU graduate students Tash Sandford, Kristin Baker, Anika Goel, Sarah Popp, and Lexi Gault, with additional department members contributing talks and assisting with events. Through AoT, IU graduate students continue to foster community engagement and share their passion for astronomy beyond campus.
Katherine Barber gives her presentation for Astronomy on Tap.
The College of Arts