Today we mark the thirteenth year death anniversary of a great personality, an astronomer, author and a science popularizer – Carl Sagan (November 9, 1934 – December 20, 1996).
The COSMOS series still manage to make me inspire in lot of ways and I consider it as the best series ever made.
10 Years After: Carl Sagan And Ann Druyan Reflect - Best Of Carl Sagan's Cosmos
I came across this interesting song "A Glorious Dawn" made from the series "Cosmos," which also includes Stephen Hawking "singing."
His teaching, his legacy will continue to inspire many science educators in generations to come.
"We are a way for the cosmos to know itself. " - Carl Sagan
Dear Friends, Earthlings and ET’s (as Arthur would often say),
We have almost traveled two orbits around the Sun without the presence of Sir Arthur Clarke. Today, 16th of December 2009 mark his 92nd birth anniversary.
After completing 90 orbits around the Sun, Sir Arthur rests in peace; perhaps now enjoying wandering in space or spending time with the dinosaurs he used to dream of. His passing was a great loss to all of us around the world. Although his personal odyssey here on Earth is over, his unparalleled vision of the future will lives on through his writing; and will inspire many generations to come.
Royal College Astronomical Society pays respect to ACC
I was able to go to the cemetery today with few students from Royal College Astronomical Society who wanted to pay respect to Sir Arthur. The first thing you noticed is the wording on the tombstone which says, “Here rests Sir Arthur Charles Clarke, he never grew up, but he never stopped growing”. These words were written by Sir Arthur himself.
I find below image very moving, I took it last year in one of my visits to Sir Arthur’s office in Barnes Place, Colombo, Sri Lanka. I remember he used to wear this jacket sometimes, and seeing it hanging it at his room reminds how dearly we miss him.
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Links to other ACC related posts I made over the years.
40 Years of Space Age & Beyond 2009 - IYA2009-Sri Lanka
Under the International Year of Astronomy 2009 programs, the Royal College Astronomical Society (RCAS) organized an innovative program called “40 Years of Space Age & Beyond” (FYOSA 09). The program which held from 8th to 9th of December 2009, consist of a workshop, Science Fiction Competition and Exhibition of Apollo 11 moon rocks.
The program gathered more than 6000 visitors which included students, teachers, parents and general public. The workshop and the SF competition had a participation of 30 schools around the country. It was two days filled with astronomical experience.
For the 9th consecutive year the RCAS workshop was held this year under the theme of “40years of Space Age & Beyond” - a look back at the 40years of space programs and future view of missions to space and colonization. The workshop is the long running annual project of RCAS and a much waited event in the local astronomy community.
The workshop kicked off at 10:30am with speeches by College Principle, Teacher in Charge and other guests which followed by an interesting lecture – “Moon Colonization” by Dr. Rohan Munasingha of Moratuwa University. The lecture covered all the aspects of moon colonization including scientific background and ongoing colonization ideas. The lecture was followed by a series of video clips on various important space missions since Apollo 11 and some future ones as well.
One of the highlights of the FYOSA 09 program is the Apollo 11 Moon Rock Display which was set up at the other side of the Workshop hall. The exhibition was officially opened by Dr Rohan Munasingha and Prof Kavan Ratnatunga. All the participated students and teachers were given an opportunity to witness the historical moon rocks.
The workshop also didn’t fail to add some entertainment with few songs by RCAS members. The first phase of the workshop concluded with lunch. --- The second phase was more exciting. The workshop had a participation of about 150 students and teachers, who were divided into 10 groups for the hands-on-activity – moon colonization. The activity held as a competition. Advisor of RCAS, Mr. Thilina Heenatigala gave instructions to all the students regarding the activity. The students were given various materials and told to make a model of moon colonization. The lecture done by Dr. Rohan Munasingha was very helpful for all the students to understand the crucial issues when designing a moon colony.
Each of the group was given two hours and was judged for the best designed. It was an intense two hours filled with lots of brainstorming, and exchanging ideas, being active and interacting with each other. The groups were judged from the time activity kicked off and judging was done by Mr. Yohan Ferreira and Mr. Wajira Heenatigala. The activity was monitored by Mr. Thilina Heenatigala. It was coordinated by Mr. Abhiruchika Sriyarathna, Mr. Charith Siriwardana and Mr. Udara Chathuranga.
After two hours all the models were displayed in front of the stage and the groups waited for the announcement of the winner. After a while the final decision was made and one team walked away with NASA materials.
Each of the participated schools were given donation package of NASA materials containing CDs, DVDs, posters, Bookmarks, lithographs, etc… which is another initiative RCAS has been active for the past 5 years, which followed by the award ceremony of SF competition.
The program concluded with a promise by RCAS officials to bring more excitement in next year workshop.
Chief Guest: Dr. Rohan Munasinga Guest of Honor: Prof. Kavan Ratnatunga Workshop Advisor: Mr. Thilina Heenatigala
Coordinators: Abhiruchika Sriyarathna Charith Siriwardana Udara Chathuranga.
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Science Fiction Competition
The Science Fiction competition is another annual project of the RCAS, which has been running since 1999 and was only open to RCAS members. But this year as a tribute to IYA2009, it was open to all the students around the country. The purpose of the competition is to give an opportunity to explore the vivid imagination of young minds.
There were entries from more than 20 schools around the country, both in Sinahala and English language and in three categories – Junior, Intermediate and Senior. The entries were reviewed by officials from Sri Lanka Astronomical Association and Astronomy & Space Study Center.
The award ceremony was held during the FYOSA 09 workshop. All the entries were given certificates and 3 winners selected in each category, were given special IYA2009 – RCAS medals, a gift pack of NASA materials and certificates.
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Apollo 11 moon rocks exhibition 8th & 9th December 2009
When Neil Armstrong and crew touched the Moon for the first time 40 years ago, they brought back lunar soil with them to Earth. Small potions of these moonstones were donated to various countries by former US President Richard Nixon. Sri Lanka was lucky enough to be one of the countries to receive these stones.
These moonstones were kept at the National Museum of Sri Lanka, but were not available for public display. With special arrangement via Sri Lanka Astronomical Association, RCAS was able to get the National Museum Apollo 11 exhibition set up for public display for two days.
The feedback was immense; the exhibition reached record of more than 6000 visitors for two days. It was a rare opportunity to witness the history as these moonstones are rarely on public display. Also, there were some unforgettable photographs from Apollo 11 mission displayed at the exhibition along with the moonstones.
The second day of the exhibition included Solar viewing through the RCAS telescope (Helen) and screening of various future mission videos.
