'Sun’ Day at Kids Cancer Foundation Camp Takes Off with FAU Observatory Manager

Astronomy and Physics Lab Coordinator, and Observatory Manager, Eric Vandernoot shared his celestial knowledge for a full day of fun with campers at the Kids Cancer Foundation Summer Camp on June 24 in Royal Palm Beach. More than 30 children enjoyed learning about one incredible star, the Sun.  In the afternoon, Vandernoot set up a powerful solar telescope outside for campers to safely observe the Sun using solar filters to see sunspots up close but switched to terrestrial viewing when the clouds came out. 

“Our warriors were buzzing about what they learned during Mr. Vandernoot’s kid-friendly presentation,” stated Marla Pipkins, education advocate, Kids Cander Foundation. “They truly grasped the information, and I was surprised that most of our warriors had never experienced the magnitude of a telescope. Words cannot express how much the warriors enjoyed his presentation. We thank him for sharing his expertise!” 

“The kids were fully into the presentation,” said Vandernoot. “They loved the magnetic field, spectral gas tubes and cathode ray tube demonstrations, and they kept asking questions, especially when I got to the facts like the Sun is not fire and that it is too hot to burn things on the Sun. They were stunned at first, but then the questions really poured out!” 

The Kids Cancer Foundation is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) foundation, established in 2001 by a group of doctors, nurses, parents and community leaders. It aims to provide hope and support to children and families battling cancer and/or blood disorders in the community by providing compassionate, easily accessible supportive care services. The six-week summer day camp, which ran throughout June and July, was offered free of charge to all patients and their siblings.