Explore Alliance Ambassadors - Paul Surowiec
Treasurer, Webmaster & Alcor – Michiana Astronomical Society
When the stars come out over northern Indiana, there’s a good chance that Paul Surowiec is already outside—tripod planted, camera focused, telescope tracking smoothly across the night. For years, Paul has been one of the driving forces behind the Michiana Astronomical Society (MAS), where he currently serves as Treasurer, Webmaster, and Alcor(Astronomical League Coordinator).
To many in the astronomy community, Paul isn’t just an officer—he’s the quiet current that keeps the organization moving forward.
The Michiana Astronomical Society is more than a club—it’s a community of dreamers, tinkerers, and skywatchers who gather under the same night sky that inspired Galileo, Newton, and Sagan. Within that community, Paul plays several essential roles:
As Treasurer, he manages the financial foundation that makes outreach events and the Michiana Star Partypossible.
As Webmaster, he keeps the society’s digital heartbeat strong—maintaining its website, social updates, and event announcements.
And as Alcor, he connects MAS members to the Astronomical League, helping participants earn observing awards and stay engaged with the larger amateur astronomy network.
Behind every public observing night, every equipment workshop, every star party—Paul’s attention to detail and commitment to education help ensure things go right.
Paul’s love for astronomy is hands-on and heart-deep. He’s an avid astrophotographer, often setting up his telescope under dark Indiana skies to capture galaxies, nebulae, and the glowing arc of the Milky Way.
In a 2018 South Bend Tribune article highlighting local stargazers, Paul was mentioned as one of the Michiana Astronomical Society’s veteran observers—someone who doesn’t just look at the stars, but records them, shares them, and helps others understand what they’re seeing.
His images and outreach work remind people that the universe isn’t distant—it’s right there, waiting to be noticed, if we only take the time to look up.
Each year, the Michiana Astronomical Society hosts the Michiana Star Party—one of the Midwest’s most anticipated gatherings of amateur astronomers. The event draws hundreds of stargazers, educators, and families for a weekend under the stars, complete with telescope viewings, workshops, and dark-sky camaraderie.
Paul’s behind-the-scenes coordination and calm leadership help make the event run smoothly—from organizing logistics to welcoming new participants who are seeing the rings of Saturn for the first time.
“You can see it in people’s faces when they first look through a telescope,” Paul says. “That moment of realization—that those tiny dots are worlds—it never gets old.”
Through his leadership and outreach, Paul continues to expand Michiana’s reach, helping schools, libraries, and civic groups connect with the cosmos. Whether it’s through astrophotography, online education, or setting up telescopes at community events, his mission remains simple: to share the beauty of the universe with as many people as possible.
Under Paul’s guidance, the Michiana Astronomical Society remains a beacon for astronomy enthusiasts across Indiana and beyond—a reminder that science and wonder belong to everyone.
As the Michiana Astronomical Society looks toward new outreach programs and partnerships, Paul Surowiec’s work continues to illuminate the way forward—steady, thoughtful, and inspired by the endless horizon of the night sky.
For Paul, astronomy isn’t just a hobby. It’s a way of connecting people—to each other, to their place in the universe, and to the timeless act of looking up.
“Every night sky is an invitation to rediscover wonder.”
– Paul Surowiec
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