Maris Grove's Astronomy Club Sparks Curiosity and Connection

At Maris Grove, an Erickson Senior Living community in the Brandywine Valley of Pennsylvania, residents enjoy opportunities to pursue their passions, share their knowledge, and continue learning.

Thanks to a career that continues today, resident Roger Kennedy leads the community's astronomy club, which brings residents together to explore the universe through expert-led talks, telescope-viewing sessions, and lively discussions.

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"As a working astronomer, I've been doing this my whole life," Roger says. "It's who I am. I'm sharing that knowledge with people who want to learn."

A passion that spans the stars

Roger and his wife, Linda, moved to Maris Grove in 2022 from New Mexico. Their decision was driven by a desire to be closer to their children and by the appealing lifestyle offered at the community.

"The people here are very friendly and outgoing," he says. "And Linda loves that she can walk the entire campus without having to go outside."

For Roger, the opportunity to share his knowledge about astronomy with his new neighbors was an added bonus and a natural extension of his professional experience.

After years of working on a radio telescope and later contributing to NASA's Mars Exploration Program, Roger became involved in educational outreach for NASA's heliophysics department at the Goddard Space Flight Center. He also founded a nonprofit organization to secure grants for telescopes and scientific equipment used to teach people about the sun.

"I'm currently on three working missions with Goddard," he says. "My wife and I still travel around the country going to libraries, schools, and community organizations to teach people about solar astronomy."

The astronomy club meets monthly in the Performing Arts Theater, typically attracting 50 to 60 regular attendees and more than 100 participants for larger events.

The club's presentations blend science, storytelling, and stunning imagery captured by some of the world's most powerful telescopes.

"People really love pictures," Roger says. "I have access to images from the James Webb and Hubble telescopes, so I show those and explain the science behind them."

Roger delivers six to seven talks each year, while guest speakers--including members of the Chester County Astronomical Society--lead additional presentations. Topics range from star-forming regions in the universe to the latest developments in NASA's Artemis program, which broke the previous record for the furthest flight from Earth.

"We try to vary the programs depending on what people are interested in," Roger says. "Some like engineering topics, some prefer the science, and others just enjoy the visuals."

Lifelong learning

Roger says one of the club's greatest strengths is the diversity of its members.

"Some people have Ph.D.s in science, while others may have taken one astronomy class in college. I try to make the talks interesting without being overly academic."

The approach keeps the club welcoming and accessible while still offering depth.

"We're following the model of lifelong learning," he says. "No matter what your age is, you can learn something new and be exposed to things you've never seen before."

That philosophy resonates with residents.

"I had a woman tell me, 'I always wanted to study astronomy, but when I was young, girls weren't allowed to do that,'" he says. "Now she's here learning about it, and that's really rewarding."

In addition to lectures, the club occasionally hosts outdoor telescope-viewing sessions. Roger owns specialized solar telescopes that allow residents to safely observe the sun in different wavelengths of light.

"With the solar scopes, people can actually see what's happening on the surface of the sun," he says.

"It's something most people have never experienced."

Music, science, community

One of the club's most popular programs blends astronomy with music. "Music Under the Stars" features Roger presenting cosmic imagery while Linda, a professional harpist, performs music inspired by celestial themes.

"We've had about 150 people attend those programs," Roger says. "It's a really beautiful combination of science and art."

The program is held twice each year, around the spring and fall equinoxes, and highlights the connection between human culture and the night sky.

"People around the world have looked at the same sky and told stories about it," he explains. "They might have called the constellations different things, but they were all observing the same patterns."

Curious minds

The astronomy club is just one of many resident-led groups that contribute to Maris Grove's engaging lifestyle.

"It's a very dynamic group," Roger says. "People ask questions, they stay after the talks to discuss ideas, and they come up to me around campus wanting to talk more about what we've learned.

I'm sharing knowledge so people can feel connected--to the universe, and to each other."

To learn more about senior living at this vibrant community, request your free brochure to get the scoop on amenities, floor plans, and so much more.

By Julia Collins