NASO'S PROJECT "HELLO JUPITER" LAUNCHED FROM FAR EAST NEPAL

NASO's special project "HELLO JUPITER" officially launched on 26th Dec 2011 in the far east region of Nepal during the exhibition programme organized by Damak Multiple Campus, Damak, Jhapa. NASO was invited for the special talk on astronomy and for facilitating an observation programme by the exhibition organizing committee. NASO vice president Mr Sudeep Neupane along with NASO Member Mr.Riwaj Pokhrel, coordinators of project "HELLO JUPITER", participated in the exhibition programme organizing solar observation, talk show, documentary show and an especial observation of planet Jupiter.

Exhibition Inaugural ceremony

Solar observation programme

Observing sun with safe solar glasses

Participant observing Jupiter through a telescope

Join us at NAST tomorrow for the discussion and Observation on last Lunar Eclipse for 2011!

As the second and last of two total lunar eclipses in 2011, the total lunar eclipse occurring on 10 December is posed to enthrall eclipse-enthusiasts from central and eastern Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Alaska and northern Canada. The first total lunar eclipse was observed on 15 June this year. The eclipse’s total phase would last for meager fifty one minutes. Its faint penumbral shadow would begin to cover moon at 17:16 hours local time. The dark umbral phase would touch the moon at 18:30 hours. The moon would enter into totality at 19:51 hours and would arrive at the maximum phase of the greatest eclipse at 20:17 hours. The umbral eclipse magnitude would reach 1.11 at this stage. The totality end at 20:43 hours and the umbral shade would recede from the moon fully at 22:03 hours. The entire eclipse would be finally over at 23:16 hours.

On this occasion, Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) in collaboration with Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) would like to organize following events at NAST on Saturday, December 10, 2011:

1. Talk programme: 4pm-5pm 
2. TLE Observation programme: 5pm-11pm

All the eclipse enthusiasts are cordially invited to attend the program. Wish you all a happy Dhanya Purnima and Yomori Punye :)

Total Lunar Eclipse December 10, 2011

Press release

As the second and last of two total lunar eclipses in 2011, the total lunar eclipse occurring on 10 December is posed to enthrall eclipse-enthusiasts from central and eastern Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Alaska and northern Canada. The first total lunar eclipse was observed on 15 June this year. The eclipse’s total phase would last for meager fifty one minutes. Its faint penumbral shadow would begin to cover moon at 17:16 hours local time. The dark umbral phase would touch the moon at 18:30 hours. The moon would enter into totality at 19:51 hours and would arrive at the maximum phase of the greatest eclipse at 20:17 hours. The umbral eclipse magnitude would reach 1.11 at this stage. The totality end at 20:43 hours and the umbral shade would recede from the moon fully at 22:03 hours. The entire eclipse would be finally over at 23:16 hours.

How can you do Lunar eclipse observation?

They are safe to watch with naked eyes. Unlike solar eclipse, which can only be gazed briefly from any specific place, a lunar eclipse can be perceived for several hours. It could provide enthralling targets for avid photographers as well.

How does eclipse occur?

A lunar eclipse takes place when the Sun, earth and moon are all perfectly aligned with the earth sitting in the middle of Sun and moon. When the moon passes behind earth, the Sun's rays are blocked from striking the moon. This can only happen when the moon is full and the moon is near or at the descending or ascending nodes (two points of intersection between the planes of moon’s orbit with that of earth’s path around Sun). This time the moon is at the descending node that lies in eastern region of zodiacal constellation Taurus (bull) four days after apogee (moon’s furthest point from earth).

Types of lunar eclipse

Astronomers recognize three basic types of lunar eclipses. In penumbral lunar eclipse the moon passes through earth's penumbral shadow. These events are of only academic interest because they are subtle and hard to perceive. In partial lunar eclipse a portion of the moon passes through earth's umbral shadow and can be admired easily with unaided eye. At total lunar eclipse the entire moon steeps into perplexing earth's umbral shadow of vibrant red color.

Why does not the lunar eclipse happen each month?

Even though the moon orbits earth every 29.5 days and lunar eclipses occur at full moon, lunar eclipses do not happen every month during full moon. It is because the moon's orbit around earth is inclined sparsely five degrees to earth's trajectory around Sun. There are two points (ascending or descending nodes) where the lunar path intersects earth’s track. Since earth's shadows lie exactly in the same plane, during full moon, our natural satellite usually passes above or below earth's shadows and misses them completely. No eclipse takes place. When two to four times each year, moon finds itself at or near the nodes to pass through some portion of the earth's penumbral or umbral shadows, one of the three types of eclipses can be witnessed. Everyone on the night side of earth can see lunar eclipse. Thirty five percent of all eclipses are of the penumbral nature. Another thirty percent are partial eclipses. Around thirty five percent are fascinating total eclipses.

Future Total Lunar Eclipse

Though 2012 and 2013 are devoid of total lunar eclipses, they could be relished in 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019 and 2021.

For further information, contact: 015000114 (Mobile: 9851024673, 9841388524)

Nov 4 Observation Programme at Tokha, Kathmandu

 

Nov 4, An observation programme was organized by NASO (during EurAstro mission 2011) with the help of the local youth club.  During the observation, participants observed Moon and the Jupiter through binocular, and telescope.

A short talk on introductory astronomy  was given to school children by Jean Luc, Sudeep Neupane and Suresh Bhattarai before the observation.

Friendship between MAC and NASO celebrated at RCSC

Mocso Astronomy Club (MAC) and Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) began the friendship organizing a star party followed by a short colloquial at Russian Center for Science and Culture (RCSC), KamalPokhari, Kathmandu on the day 11.11.11.

EurAstro/NASO Programmes in Kathmandu

NASO organized four talk programmes in Kathmandu during Nov 2 to Nov 4 of EurAstro Mission 2011 after the team came  back from 3 days programme at Nagarkot.

Talk Programme at Russian Center for Science and Culture, Kamal Pokhari

Title: Astronomy and Astrophotography
Time: 16:00 - 17:00 hrs
Audience: Citizens of Globe who want to celebrate 50th anniversary year of first human in space

Mr Sudeep Neupane welcoming the guest

Dr Rishi Shah and Jean luck at the discussion session of the programme interacting with audience

Talk Programme at Central Department of Physics, Kirtipur

Title: ProAm cooperation for the development of astronomy

Date: November 03, 2011

Time: 12:00 - 13:00 hrs

Audience: Masters student of physics 

Talk Programme at Nepal Tourism Board, Exhibition Road

Title: Landscape Astrophotography
Date: Nov 3 2011
Time: 16:00 - 17: 00 hrs
Audience: Journalists and astronomy enthusiastic people

Jean Luc interacting with the participants

Group Photo after the programme at NTB

Talk Programme at Xavier International College, Kalopul

Title: Astrophotography and Eclipses

Date: 2011.11.04 Friday
Time: 12:00 to 13:00 hours
Participants: Undergrad student from science faculty

GHOU/GTTP: Interaction Programme Held During EurAstro Mission 2011

An interaction programme on "Importance of Astronomy and Space Science for the Development of Our Society" had been organized at Nagarkot, Bhaktapur on 30th October 2011. GHOU-Nepal Chapter along with Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) organized the programme during the EurAstro Nepal Mission 2011. NASO executives, teachers including N-PABSON executives, EurAstro mission members and communicators participated in the programme.

Some snaps from the Programme

Photo1: Mr. Sudeep Neupane, moderator of the event  and  GHOU member and GTTP representative for Nepal as well as Vice President-NASO, giving an overview

 Photo 2:NASO president and Academician of NAST presenting the importance of outreach activities 

 Photo 3: Dr. Giancarlo Tomezzoli, Manager-EurAstro Mission Nepal 2011, explaining the European prospective of education and outreach

Photo 4: Jean-Luc Dighaye, President-EurAstro, addressing the issues at the programme

Photo 5: Mr. Prabodh Prabhakar,  Principal -Eureka High School, raising the academic issues and interacting with the participants

Photo 6: Jupiter on the zenith (credit: Subeg Man Bijukchhen)

Mr Riwaj Pokhrel, Subeg Bijukchhen and Rijendra Thapa, executive members of NASO were the rapporteurs of the event.

The interaction program was followed by an overnight observation programme for the attendees.