Galileoscope donated to Bhawani Vidhyapeeth, Parbat

Dec 6 - An observation program was organized in Bhawani Vidhyapeeth H.S.S., Phalewas, Parpat. During the program, students and public from Phalebas village observed Jupiter and its Galilean Moons through telescope. More than 300 observers participated in the observation program. Sudeep Neupane and Manoj Khadka from NASO along with Maya Barlev from United States facilitated the observation program.

The other day of the observation program, Maya Barlev donated her Galileoscope to Bhawani Vidhyapeeth H.S. School. Mr. Uttam Bhusal, coordinator of the science program, assured that they will organize an astronomy club in their school and use the Galileoscope in future for creating astronomical awareness in the society.

Participants observing Jupiter and its Galilean Moons

Mr Uttam Bhusal practising to focus the Galileoscope

Maya Barlev donating the Galileoscope to Bhawani Vidhyapeeth H.S.S.,Phalewas, Parbat

Maya is Thomas J. Watson fellow and visiting several countries to learn how children around the world think about the Universe. She visited several schools in Kathmandu and Pokhara talking to students of different age group during her stay in Nepal.

Photo Credit: Manoj and Maya

Nepal had successful participation in 22nd UN/IAF Workshop & 63rd IAC in Naples, Italy,2012

22nd United Nations/International Astronautical Federation Workshop on " Space Technologies Applied to the Needs of Humanity: Experience from Cases in the Mediterranean Area " during September 28-30, 2012 & The 63rd International Astronautical Congress( IAC), October 1-5, 2012 remained a good platform to share the space activities in Nepal. This was possible as Mr. Suresh Bhattarai participated and presented his paper in these two events. 

Photo 1: Mr. Bhattarai presenting his poster on 22nd UN/IAF Workshop during September 28-30, 2012, Naples, Italy.

Photo 2: Mr. Bhattarai presenting his paper in the IAC2012,October 1-5, 2012, Naples, Italy. ( Credit: Reinhard  Tlustos)

During the workshop, Mr. Bhattarai actively participated in the discussion on how Space Science can be used on Land Management and discussed the issued where space science had been great help to manage the resources in Nepal. Also he discussed about the different institutions that are using space science & its applications in Nepal. He also presented his paper on "Space Science Education, Outreach Activities and Their Impact in Nepal" during the workshop on September 28-30, 2012.

IAC is one of the biggest event on space science in the world. Mr. Bhattarai presented his paper on Space Education and Outreach Section where he discussed about the hstory of space science education and outreach in Nepal, current status and "Nepal Government's 20 Years Space Development Plan" among the audience. The Govermment of Nepal came up with the plan in 2011 which is regarded as one of the seeding activity of Space Research in Nepal very soon.

Nepal first participated in IAC in 1998 and then 2003. Since 2009, Nepal has been able to show its continuous presence to IAC with  its enthusiastic youths.

Mr. Bhattarai is one of the founder member  and executive secretary at Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO). NASO is a pioneer group for the promotion of S &T in Nepal through Astronomy and Space Science Outreach along with some ProAm programmes addressing all range of people from the globe. He is also currently working for Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) as National Point of Contact for Nepal and Executive Secretary at SGAC executive office at Vienna, Austria. Besides, he serves as chairman at EurAstro World (EAW) and Ambassador for Nepal at StarPeace Project.

Wish you all a happy Blue Moon August 2012

Nepal Astronomical Society(NASO) wishes all its reader a happy Blue Moon. A blue moon can refer to the third full moon in a season with four full moons. Most years have twelve full moons that occur approximately monthly. In addition to those twelve full lunar cycles, each solar calendar year contains roughly eleven days more than the lunar year of 12 lunations. The extra days accumulate, so every two or three years (7 times in the 19-year Metonic cycle), there is an extra full moon. Lunisolar calendars have rules about when to insert such an intercalary or embolismic ("leap") month, and what name it is given; e.g. in the Hebrew calendarthe month Adar is duplicated. The term "blue moon" comes from folklore. Different traditions and conventions place the extra "blue" full moon at different times in the year. In the Hindu calendar, this extra month is called 'Adhik (extra) masa (month)'. It is also known as purushottam maas, so as to give it a devotional name.

Photo: Blue Moon as seen at 19:14 Hrs, August 31, 2012  from the Maitidevi , Kathmandu,Nepal . 

Wish you a happy Moon Observation tonight! Please share your picture of Blue Moon with us if you manage to click on it :)

NASO Founder Vice President Participating in IAU General Assembly, Beijing, 19-31 Aug 2012

Founder Vice President of Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO),  Mr. Sudeep Neupane, has been to Beijing, China to participate in International Astronomical Union - General Assembly (IAU-GA) going to be held from Aug 19 to Aug 31, 2012. He will be representing  (NASO) as well as Nepalese Astronomy Community in IAU. Mr. Neupane will be presenting his oral presentation on special session of Office of Astronomy for Development.

This is the continuation of NASO to represent Nepalese Astronomy at IAU and orther international meetings. So far, NASO has been to many IAU regional and general meetings/assemblies representing the Nepalese astronomy community.

Perseids reaching its pick on 11th, 12th and 13th of August

(Image source: space.com)

The Perseid meteor shower is rising to its peak, as it does every year at this time. The peak mornings will be August 11, 12 and 13. August 12 might be the best morning. August 11 might be better than August 13.  

[ IMO observations  found the timing of the mean or "traditional" broad maximum varied between λ⊙ ∼ 139.8° to 140.3°, equivalent to 2012 August 12, 07^h to 19^h30^m UT, (Nepali time: 12:45 hrs. to 01:15 hrs. next day morning)] (Source: International Meteor Organization-IMO)]

The Perseids should be a spectacular event because the Moon is in its waning crescent phase, so the light reflecting off its lunar surface should not interfere with the meteors traveling across our night sky.

The moon on those mornings will be near the bright planets Venus and Jupiter in the eastern predawn sky. It’ll be a beautiful early morning scene.

You can see the meteors any time before this date, as they have been flying across the sky since about July 17. And they will remain visible until August 24. (Source:IMO)

The meteors within the Perseid meteor shower are material from the Swift-Tuttle comet, which has a 130-year orbit around the Sun.

More on:

http://www.imo.net/calendar/2012#per

http://stardate.org/nightsky/meteors

AstroFest on ToV2012- Nepal, July 4-6, 2012

Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) in association with Nepal Academy of Science & Technology (NAST), Russian Center of Science & Culture ( RCSC), Astrophysics and Cosmology Research Group Nepal ( ACRG-Nepal) -Tribhuvan University ( TU) and ESPRO Foundation organized three days Astronomy Festival with different programs in Nepal during June 4-6 , 2012 to celebrate the last Transit of Venus of Twenty-first Century. The next Transit of Venus will occur after 105 years in December 2117. To provide more opportunity for Nepalese to witness this rare celestial event in different regions of Nepal, NASO extended its supports to Pokhara Astronomical Society (PAS) in Kaski, Damak Astronomy Club in Jhapa and Nepal Astronomy and Space Science Association (NASSA) in Chitwan.

GTTP Session:

A half day workshop was organized on June 4, 2012 from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm as a special session on Galileo Teacher Training Program (GTTP)-Nepal. This special session of AstroFest on ToV2012-Nepal was organized in order to increase the opportunity to witness ToV2012 in Nepal. During the session, hands-on activities on safe solar viewing techniques were provided to the students from 7 selected schools.

Public Talk Sessions:

On Monday, June 4 and 5, public talks on ToV were organized at Russian Center of Science and Culture, Kamaladi, Kamalpokhari, Kathmandu by Associate Prof. Dr. Binil Aryal, Chair-ACRG-Nepal and by Associate Prof. Dr. Raju Khanal, Central Department of Phycics, Tribhuvan University (TU) at Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), Khumaltar, Lalitpur respectively.

Special Screening of “Acquainted With the Night”:

A special screening of 79 minute long Gemini Award Winning documentary “Acquinted With the Nights” held on June 4 and 5 at RCSC from 4:30 pm for the first time in Nepal with the special permission to NASO from the Michael Macnamara, Director of the documentary. “Acquainted With The Night” is a feature documentary that traces a journey through a night from sunset to sunrise. The clock dictates the stories as they change, hour by hour, from 6pm to 6am. Some stories are joined in progress; others begin in one hour, and resolve in another.

Observation Programs:

An observation program was scheduled and co-ordinated at different places of Kathmandu Valley as well as at Damak, Chitwan and Pokhara to have better opportunities for public and students to observe this rare celestial event from their nearest places.More than 5, 000 people witnessed this unique and rare celestial event in Nepal with NASO.

AstroFest on ToV2012-Nepal June 4-6, 2012 schedule is available now

Day 1: Monday, June 4, 2012

Venue: Russian Center of Science and Culture, Kamalpokhari, Kathmandu, Nepal

First session: Galileo Teachers Training Program on ToV 2012-Nepal

:: Program Schedule ::

11:00 - 11:25 Hrs              Registrations

11:30 -11:40 Hrs                Welcome and program Highlights by Mr. Probod Rijal, President-ESPRO Foundation

11:40 - 12:00 Hrs               Introductions to Workshop by Mr. Sudeep  Neupane, Co-ordinator-    GHOU-Nepal and vice president-NASO

12:00 - 12:05 Hrs               Group division for the hands-on activities

12:05 - 13:00 Hrs               Workshop on ToV observation and science engaging students and teachers

13:00 - 13:30 Hrs               Conclusion/remarks

13:30 – 14:00 Hrs              Screening of the documentary on “First Woman in Space: Valentina Tereshkova”

Second Session: Public Talk on Transit of Venus 2012*

:: Program Schedule ::

14: 05 - 14:10 Hrs              Welcome speech by Ms. Kamana Dixit on behalf of Russian Center and Organizers

14:10 - 15: 10 Hrs              Public Talk on Transit of Venus by Associate Prof. Dr. Binil Aryal, Chair- Astrophysics and Cosmology Group of Nepal, Tribhuvan University

15:10 - 15:30 Hrs               Amateur Astronomy in Nepal: Pro-Am Collaboration for better Outreach Opportunities to increase the interest on R & D among the students by Mr. Sudeep Neupane

15:30 - 16:00 Hrs               Interaction program/ vote of thanks

16:00 – 16: 20 Hrs             refreshment

Day 2: Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Venue: Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), Khumaltar, Laitpur, Nepal

Session: Public Talk on Transit of Venus 2012**

:: Program Schedule ::

11: 00 - 11:15 Hrs              Registration

11:15 – 11: 20 Hrs             Welcome speech by Dr. Chiranjivi Regmi, Chief-Planning and Evaluation Division of NAST on behalf of NAST  and Organizers

11:20 - 11:35 Hrs               Amateur Astronomy in Nepal: Pro-Am Collaboration for better Outreach Opportunities to increase the interest on R & D among the students by Mr. Riwaj Pokhrel

11: 35 - 12:35Hrs               Public Talk on Transit of Venus by Associate Prof. Dr. Raju Khanal, Central Department of Physics, Tribhuvan University

12:35 - 13:00 Hrs               Interaction program/ vote of thanks

13:00 – 13: 30 Hrs             Refreshment

Day 3: Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Venue: Nepal Academy of Science & technology (NAST), Khumaltar, lalitpur, Nepal

Time: 05:00 – 11:00 Hrs

Session: Observation Program

Activities:

Webcasting, Parallax measurement, Photography, interactions

* The program will be hosted by Mr. Rijendra Thapa, executive and founder member of NASO

** The program will be hosted by  Mr. Subeg Man Bijukchhen, executive and founder member of NASO

Day 1 and 2: Monday June 4- Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Special Session: Documentary Screening

Venue: Russian Center of Science & Culture, Kamalpokhari, Kathmandu, Nepal

Show time: 16:30 Hrs onwards

Title: Acquainted With the Nights

Synopsis:

Acquainted With The Night is a feature documentary that traces a journey through a night from sunset to sunrise.  The clock dictates the stories as they change, hour by hour, from 6pm to 6am.  Some stories are joined in progress; others begin in one hour, and resolve in another.

Acquainted With The Night presents inside stories of nighttime phenomena, customs and rituals from the perspective of scientists, biologists, laborers, truck-drivers, artists, cops and criminals - all whose work and lives are related to the night. The underlying themes explored are environmental, biological and sociological -- what really happens to a “city that never sleeps”?  What are the effects of light pollution, on the natural world, on human behavior and health, and on the future of the planet?  What thrills us and what frightens us about the world after dark?  As the answers unfold with stories in Greece, France, Morocco, Nepal, USA, Canada and Mexico, we become intimately "Acquainted With the Night." Acquainted With The Night is inspired by the award-winning book of the same title by Christopher Dewdney.  The film was written and directed by Michael McNamara and produced by Judy Holm.

Genre: Environment, Science, Ethnology & Sociology, Natural History, Culture


If you want to participate in the festval, please fill- in the pre-registration form in the from here:http://venustransit2012nepal.blogspot.com/

Looking forward to the clear weather on June 6: Transit Day!

Call for Application: Volunteers for Venus Transit Festival 2012-Nepal

Hello readers,
As we all are gearing up for the grand celebration of Transit of Venus in Nepal on June 6, we are looking for the volunteers who will be  helping us with the most awaited AstroFest on Transit of Venus 2012 in Nepal which will be held during June 3-6, 2012 in Kathmandu Valley.

The application for the volunteer is on now. Please fill in the form provided in this blog to apply for this great opportunity.

The successful application will be notified of their selection on Thursday, May 30, 2012. The selected applicant must join us from Friday, June 1, 2012 till Thursday, June 7, 2012.

Lets make this year more especial with Venus Diving to the Sun and spreading this beautiful moment to Nepalese people with different programmes.

If you have any questions regarding role of volunteers, please feel free to contact us at info. naso ( at) gmail ( dot) com

The application deadline is Wednesday, May 30, 2012. Do not wait for the deadlines, apply now!!

TRANSIT OF VENUS (ToV) 5-6 JUNE 2012

What is a transit of Venus?

When Venus passes directly between earth and the sun, we see the distant planet as a small dot gliding slowly across the face of the sun. Historically, this rare alignment is how we measured the size of our solar system.

When is it?

The next transit of Venus occurs June 5 or 6, 2012, depending on your location. This will be the last transit of Venus to occur in your lifetime.


[Source:http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/OH/tran/TOV2012-Fig01.pdf]

You can observe ToV from south asia on June 6.

Safely See the Transit

Important: protect your eyes from the sun.

There are many ways to observe Transit of Venus. Some of the easy ways are:

1. Rear Projection Screen

2. Solar Filtered Telescope

3. Disposable "Eclipse Shades"

4. Live telecast from TV

5. Meet observing team nearby your town

The safest and enjoyable way to observe ToV2012 is to join the nearby observing group.



Observation program in Nepal

Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) (along with GHOU-Nepal, other amateur groups and schools) is preparing for ToV observation program in various places in Kathmandu and outside kathmandu on June 6. For the latest update from NASO, keep visiting our blog and our facebook group page.

https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/196305183827/

For more information about ToV2012:

http://www.venus2012.de

http://www.transitofvenus.org/

For more information on safe solar observation:

http://sunearthday.nasa.gov/2012/transit/viewing.php

NASO on Radio Sagarmatha 102.4 MHz in Nepal

As a part of GAM2012 celebration in Nepal, Nepal Astronomical Society(NASO) is working for a radio programme on astronomy in Nepal. For this, Dr. Rishi Shah, academician of Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), president of NASO , Suresh Bhattarai, executive secretary of NASO, Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) and Chairman of EurAstro World , Pritisha Shrestha, news reporter, had a special meeting with Durga Karki, Chief Programme Producer at Radio  Sagarmatha 102.4 MHz, Bakhundol, Lalipur on Friday, April 27, 2012.

So, stay tune RADIO SAGARMATA 102.4 MHz  for more info!!

BARKELEY COSMOLOGIST AT CELEBRATION CO ED

[GHOU/UNAWE/NASO]
24th April, Jorpati, Kathmandu

Cosmologist Dr Marina Cortes from Berkeley Lab in California, US visited Celebration Co Ed, a secondary school in Jorpati, Kathmandu and talked with high school students about basic astronomy and development of present cosmology. The program was coordinated by Mr Sudeep Neupane (NASO vice president, GHOU Nepal Chair & UNAWE coordinator for Nepal).

  Picture 1 and 2: Dr Marina Crotes talking with high school students at Celebration Co Ed, Jorpati, Kathmandu

GALILEO TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAM (GTTP)2012 ORGANIZED SUCCESSFULLY IN KATHMANDU

Participants of GTTP2012, Kathmandu

The GTTP2012 Kathmandu was organized by Global Hands on Universe (GHOU)-Nepal, Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) and Espro Foundation at Eureka High School, Kathmandu, Nepal on 31st March 2012.

NASO Vice President/GHOU Chair/GTTP Coordinator Mr Sudeep Neupane introducing GTTP during the event

33 Science Teachers and communicators from different part of Nepal participated in GTTP2012. There were two workshops, one plenary session, one invited lecture and one special talk organized during the program. An observation program was also organized in the evening.

Dr Rishi Shah (NASO President/Academician-NAST) presenting his talk on " Importance of Astronomy"

The program began with the welcome speech from Mr Prabodh Prabhakar Rijal (Director-Espro Foundation and principal- Eureka High School). GTTP Coordinator for Nepal, Chair for Global Hands on Universe (GHOU)-Nepal Chapter and Founder/Vice President of Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO), Mr. Sudeep Neupane introduced Galileo Teacher Training Program and its concept to the GTTP2012 participants.

Participants enjoyed the first special talk on “Importance of Astronomy” by Dr Rishi Shah, Academician- Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) and Founder/President-Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO).

Participants intaracting with Dr Rishi Shah (NASO President/Academician-NAST)

The first workshop of the event was on “Developing Landscape of Solar System and Definition of Planet” designed by Mr Sudeep Neupane. Participants actively participated in the workshop and discussed on the IAU definition of planet in different groups. They prepared a three minute presentation and presented in a group. After the presentation from all groups, a press meet was organized where the participants who were nominated for the role of “IAU Board members for Planet definition” from each group, prepared a definition of planet and dwarfs. Interesting, they prepared the definition of planet in the favor of IAU and decided Pluto is no longer a planet but a dwarf.

Workshop1: Participants discussing on definition of Planet and preparing for a press meet

Workshop1: Group presentation by the participants

The invited speaker Prof Dr Binil Aryal from Central Department of Physics, Tribhuvan University gave his talk on “Why are the things the way they are?” All the participants enjoyed the talk and had a long interaction with Prof Aryal. His talk gave a brief introduction from origin of universe to the present status of the understanding of the universe.

Invited Speaker Dr Binil Aryal (Associate Professor- Tribhuvan University) presenting his talk

Mr Prabodh Prabhakar Rijal (principal-Eureka High School) addressing the meeting during the plenary session

There was a plenary session on “Dooms Day - end of the world 2012” which was chaired by Dr Rishi Shah and participated by Mr Prabodh Rijal and Mr Ritu Sapkota (N-PABSON). Participants were having interesting discussion in the session. The second workshop was dedicated to introduce astronomy freeware to the participants. Mr Subeg Man Bijuchhen presented the brief introduction to the free astronomy software. Participants also practiced some of the software programs (Stellarium, Cybersky, Night vision etc) during the workshop.

Workshop2: NASO founder member Mr Subeg Man Bijuchhen introducing astronomy softwares

Workshop2: Participants exercising the astronomy softwares

All the participants were given GTTP certificate of participation at the end of the program. An observation program was organized after the program; participants observed Moon, Venus, and Orion Nebula from 8” sky watcher (Owned by NASO) and recognized some constellations.

Certificate distribution

Observation program: Participants observed moon, planets and nebula through 8'' sky-watcher in the evening

More information about GHOU and GTTP: http://ghou-nepal.webs.com/

Direct comment: ghou.nepal AT gmail.com

International Conference on Astrophysics and Cosmology (ICAC), 19-21 March, 2012

The first International Conference on Astrophysics and Cosmology (ICAC) was organized at CEDA hall, Tribhuvan University, Nepal during March 19-21. The event has its imprints in the young mind to develop our nation through Astrophysical and Cosmological research. ICAC 2012 was a wonderful occasion to communicate with the experts, researchers and students in the field of Astrophysics and Cosmology. The total number of participants was 125 including 42 international (non-nepalese) participants. There were 3 invited talks, 10 special talks and 46 contributory talks. In addition, 27 posters were displayed in the conference. A full list of participants, title and abstracts of presentation can be found on the webpage: http://icacnepal.webs.com

The conference was opened to experts, researchers and students of Astronomy & Cosmology or related areas affiliated to Research Institutions, Universities and Colleges. The purpose of this conference was to bring together experienced as well as young scientists who are interested in working actively on various aspects of astrophysics & cosmology, to exchange their research findings and to expose young minds in the field of astrophysics & cosmology from Nepal.

The conference consisted of two main sessions: Theme session and Technical session. In the Theme session, a set of lectures were delivered from the distinguished invited professors about the current issues and research findings in their relevant field. Researchers and students had an ample opportunity to present their research findings in the Technical session.

ICAC 2012 is completed with the following recommendations:

1. The country should facilitate sufficient infrastructure to carry out research in the field of A&A.

2. Research collaboration is essential to address the unsolved issues in the field of Astrophysical and Cosmological research.

3. Exchange visit program, workshops, seminars, etc should be materializing for young graduates.

Galileo Teacher Training Programme 2012 ( GTTP-2012) in Nepal

The Global Hands On Universe(GHOU) Chapter for Nepal in collaboration with Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) and Espro Foundation, Nepal. have announced the Galileo Teacher Training programme on March 31, 2012

If you are teaching science in school or doing science with public in Nepal, do not wait to apply for the event. This training is the unique platform for all science teacher where they will be taught astronomy and space science so that they can give these knowledge back to their students at schools.

As the deadline is less than two weeks away ( Wednusday,March 14, 2012), Spread news to those whom you think to be interested to this programme.

For more details on the GTTP2012-Nepal please visit the The event page is http://ghou-nepal.webs.com/registration.htm

The registration will be open until 14th March 2012.

Hope to see you all in Kathmandu!

Clear skies!!