Lets go to Mars

Planet Mars always has been an interesting celestial object throughout generations. It never fails to grasp the human curiosity. The very Red planet people used to worship, now is a target for more scientific work – possible colonizing in the future being one of them.

On 12th March 2010, a workshop was organized for about 15 schools in Colombo North and Gampaha District. The program was hosted by Astronomical Society of Dharmaloka School, conducted by Royal College Astronomical Society (RCAS) with the guidance of Sri Lanka Astronomical Association (SLAA).

The participants were divided into ten groups and given the task of building a Mars Colony. Interesting combining their little knowledge about the planet with Biology, Physics and Mathematics skills, the groups came up with various ideas and created models to express them.

After two and half hours of time, it was the time for the judges to review the models. Each team presented their models. And finally the Team 1 walked away with the first place for getting higher scores in original idea, practicality, design, and team work.

As a final note, the General Secretary of Sri Lanka Astronomical Association – Thilina Heenatigala briefed about Mars and how far have we come exploring Mars.


Some interesting moments from the workshop:

preparation

brainstorming

more discussions

hands on

presenting to judges

a model

another team presenting their model

General Secretary of SLAA; Thilina Heenatigala, addressing the crowd

All the models at display

Ask an Astronomer

It’s not everyday you get to talk to a professional astronomer and ask all those questions you have.

Recently a good astronomer friend of mine – Michael Snowden – was in Sri Lanka. Michael and I decided to spend an evening with few students who are keen on astronomy. Five students coming from various backgrounds were invited as a result.

The discussion started with Michael explaining the historical side of modern astronomy and compared how things have progressed today. Then the students got the opportunity to talk about their favorite fields in astronomy. The topics varied from Astrophysics, Modern Telescopes, and Life in the Universe to big old question – the birth of the Universe.

The session was held on the 21st of March 2010 at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo.



Some photos from the session:


Students with Michael Snowden

Yashodara Abeykoon (high school Biology student)

Shamil Asitha Kuruppu (high school Mathematics Student)

Sheloni De Silva (high school Biology Student)

Dimuth Prasad Welivitiya (Graduate student)

Prasanna Deshapriya (undregraduate freshman)

Michael Snowden and Thilina Heenatigala with the students

International Sidewalk Astronomy Night 4 – Sri Lanka

March 20th 2010 celebrated the 4th International Sidewalk Astronomy Night. Sri Lanka joined the celebration for the 2nd time.

Royal College Astronomical Society(RCAS) brought two telescopes to the Galle Face Green on the night of 20th. Interestingly same day there was a big concert at the venue which become handy for the sidewalk session.

The public sidewalk session went on for two hours under heavy light pollution – specially from the concert. But with good music and food, people enjoyed beautiful views of Moon and Saturn.

Some photos from the event:

and finally the members of RCAS enjoying some ice cream!

Remembering Sir Arthur C Clarke

It’s been two orbits since Sir Arthur Clarke(16 December 1917 – 19 March 2008) departed Earth and started his own personal final odyssey among Stars.

As a tribute to him, a commemorative public program was organized on 17th March 2010 at the British Council Colombo. The program was organized by Sri Lanka Astronomical Association in collaboration with Arthur C Clarke Estate and British Council.

Guest Speaker of the event: Nalaka Gunawardene gave an illustrated talk – “Sir Arthur C Clarke: Man Who Lived in the Future”.


some photos from the event:

Thilina Heenatigala - General Secretary of Sri Lankan Astronomical Association addressing the crowd.

Guest speaker Nalaka Gunawardene delivering his illustrated talk “Sir Arthur C Clarke: Man Who Lived in the Future”

Participants

Participants

Sir Arthur Clarke Exhibit at the entrance

Sir Arthur C Clarke: 90th Birthday Reflections