Showing posts with label RCAS. Show all posts

International Sidewalk Astronomy Night 4 – Sri Lanka

3/25/2010 • by Thilina Heenatigala • In Astronomy, RCAS, Sri Lanka, Star Party • 1 comment

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!

Expedition to Northern Sri Lanka – Annular Solar Eclipse 2010

1/03/2010 • by Thilina Heenatigala • In RCAS, Solar Eclipse, Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Astronomical Association • No comments

An Eclipse of the Sun is one of those spectacular displays of nature one must watch in your lifetime. Eclipses have fascinated humans through recorded history.
The next Solar Eclipse to cross Sri Lanka on 2010 January 15th is an Annular and visible in Northern Sri Lanka. The northern territory was not accessible to public until recently due to civil war in Sri Lanka.

This will be a historical moment as it will be the first time most of us are traveling to North after 30 years of war. It is a perfect opportunity to celebrate the Peace in Sri Lanka through this natural phenomenon – Annular Solar Eclipse 2010.

Annular Eclipse of 15th January 2010 is visible within a narrow stretch of 300 km width across Central Africa, Maldives, South Kerala, South Tamil Nadu, North Sri Lanka, Burma and China. It will visible as a partial eclipse in much of Africa, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Asia.

Path of the Eclipse

For Sri Lanka, the annular is visible in Northern region. The Annular phase will have the longest duration of over 10 minutes from about 1:20 to 1:30 PM (local time) at an altitude of 55 degrees at the center-line of the eclipse which crosses Jaffna (North). About 84.2% of the center of Sun will be covered by the Moon, and the Sun will look like a ring of Fire. The instant of greatest eclipse occurs at 07:06:33 UT when the eclipse magnitude will reach 0.919.

The southern border (Blue) of the path crosses just north of Chilaw on the west coast and north of Nilavali on the East coast. The border crosses south of Anuradhapura, just north of Eppawala. The center-line (Red) crosses Jaffna where the Annular phase will have the longest duration of over 10 minutes from about 1:20 to 1:30 PM at an altitude of 55 degrees. About 84.2% of the center of Sun will be covered by the Moon, and the Sun will look like a ring of Fire.

Sri Lankan Observers

Groups from Colombo Planetarium, Arthur C Clarke Center, University of Moratuwa and Sri Lanka Astronomical Association will be traveling to North for the Eclipse. Some will be producing scientific data while others will enjoy the eclipse doing public out reach programs.

Expedition to North

Group of us representing Sri Lanka Astronomical Association, SkyLK.com, Astronomy & Space Study Center and Royal College Astronomical Society will be traveling to North to catch this ring of fire as well.
Our motive is to do a live web-stream the eclipse via SkyLK website. We will be getting the local crowd to join us to experience this wonderful phenomenon as well.

Jaffna (North), has better skies than Colombo, night of 15th we have planned to hold a little star party to bring more joy to the people from North as well.

TEAM

1. Thilina Heenatigala – Sri Lanka Astronomical Association
2. Anuradha Jayathilaka – SkyLK
3. Hasitha Karunaratne – SkyLK
4. Madusha Dedigamuwa – SkyLK
5. Imesh Perera – Astronomy & Space Study Center
6. Plashthi Kanaththage – Astronomy & Space Study Center
7. Prasanna Deshapriya – Sri Lanka Astronomical Association
8. Thishan Pavithra - Astronomy & Space Study Center
9. Bhasura Gunawardhana – Royal College Astronomical Society
10. Shamil Asitha Kuruppu – Royal College Astronomical Society

For more information please contact:
Thilina Heenatigala
e: thilina.heenatigala@yahoo.com
p: (+94) 0716 245 545

IMPORTANT: NEVER Look at the Sun directly with your naked eye.

Resources
Solar Eclipses
Solar Eclipse on 15th January 2010
NASA Eclipse Site
Fred Espenak’s Eclipse site
Lakdiva Eclipse page

Sources: NASA/GSFC, Prof. Kavan Ratnatunga, Fred Espenak, Thilina Heenatigala

92nd birth anniversary of Sir Arthur Clarke

12/16/2009 • by Thilina Heenatigala • In anniversary, RCAS, Sir Arthur Clarke • 1 comment

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.

Sir Arthur C Clarke’s 90th birth day blog

90th birthday reflections video

Sir Arthur’s birthday celebration

Sir Arthur Clarke: Completes 90 orbits around the Sun!!!

Last EGOGRAM

Sir Arthur C Clarke dies at 90...

Funeral fixed for Saturday, March 22, 2008

"ACC - 9 decades"

Some pics from the funeral...

An Interview with Sir Arthur C. Clarke by Dr. Kavan Ratnatunga – 30th August 2000

IOR and AOG

Other links:
List of ACC posts at Universe Cafe

ACC page at Sri Lanka Astronomical Association

Sir Arthur Clarke’s 90th birthday blog

Image credit - Shahidul Alam (ACC potrait photo), Thilina Heenatigala

40 Years of Space Age & Beyond - Concludes successfully

12/11/2009 • by Thilina Heenatigala • In Apollo 11, IYA2009, RCAS, Sri Lanka, Workshop • 3 comments

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.

-FYOSA09 Trailer-

1) FYOSA workshop
2) Science Fiction Competition
3) Apollo 11 moon rocks exhibition

FYOSA workshop
8th December 2009

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.
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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.