Sophie Duan, a senior at Nease High School, has started a nonprofit called Celestial Reach, which makes astronomy accessible for kids and families. Duan has also developed GalaxyEase, an astronomy-based app that helps people to relax and practice mindfulness. She shared how her own fascination with astronomy has inspired her to help others.
Tell us about your nonprofit, Celestial Reach.
Celestial Reach is a nonprofit I founded to make astronomy fun, inspiring and accessible for kids and families. We host hands-on workshops, stargazing nights and creative science activities that help people connect with the universe in a personal and meaningful way.
So far, we have reached more than 1,200 students worldwide through workshops, stargazing events and outreach programs. As a 501(c)(3), we have partnered with homeschool groups, libraries, churches, special-needs schools and astronomy societies, training over 60 volunteers across eight international chapters. Our mission is to spark curiosity and help kids feel connected to the cosmos.
How does it make astronomy accessible to children and families?
We focus on bringing astronomy to places where families already are. Our volunteers set up telescopes, lead fun science experiments and teach kids how to find constellations right from their own backyard. We also create age-appropriate and beginner-friendly guides so every child can participate and feel included. It is all about showing that space is not something distant; it is something everyone can explore.
What inspired you to start the nonprofit?
I have always been fascinated by the night sky. It makes me feel calm, curious and connected. When I was 10, my parents took me on a stargazing camping trip to Joshua Tree National Park in California. Fellow campers invited us to peer through their telescopes, guiding our gaze from Ursa Major to the Andromeda Galaxy. I was absolutely awestruck.
Not long after, I got my first telescope, and that became my lens to the cosmos.
Since then, I have chased stars across deserts, mountains and even Florida swamps far from city lights. The more I learned about the universe, the more I wanted to share that sense of wonder with others.
Celestial Reach grew from that love for astronomy and my dream of helping others discover the same magic.
Tell us about GalaxyEase.
GalaxyEase is my second project, a mindfulness and astronomy-based app that lets people relax under virtual starfields. It blends stargazing with guided meditations, a cosmic reflection journal and interactive star maps. I like to think of it as a personal planetarium, a cosmic companion for wellness and discovery.
It is more than just a stargazing guide; it is an immersive platform that combines real-time astronomy with mindfulness practices, designed for all ages seeking stress relief and inspiration.
I have also filed a patent for an astronomy projection device that guides meditation through celestial visuals.
How does it combine astronomy with mindfulness?
GalaxyEase uses real astronomical data to create immersive, peaceful experiences. You can meditate under a simulated Orion Nebula, take a “cosmic breathing” session inspired by a pulsar’s rhythm or explore the stars above your real-time location.
It is designed to help people slow down, breathe and feel connected to something bigger than themselves.
How do you like to spend your free time?
I love meditating, golfing, going to the gym and spending time outdoors.
What’s next for you?
I am currently working on exoplanet detection research using machine learning, hoping to uncover hints of potentially habitable worlds beyond our solar system.
For Celestial Reach, we are expanding across the U.S. and launching new chapters internationally.
For GalaxyEase, I am pitching to investors to fund the development of the projection device.
As I apply to college, I plan to continue growing both Celestial Reach and GalaxyEase, bringing more people closer to the stars.
