A date with stars

The phenomenal success of India's Moon mission has resulted in astronomy becoming another coveted career option that till date remained limited to Engineering and medical. And with a motive to create young astronomers, Akashmitra recently organised a star party at Pirangut near Pune.

According to Arvind Paranjpay, scientific officer, IUCAA, "Star Party is a new concept in India. The difference between star gazing and star party is that the star party involves lectures by eminent astronomers, astrophotography, talks on astronomy discoveries and objects and other similar activities in addition to watching the stars."

A one night camp from dusk to dawn, the star parties are generally organised at a location away from light and pollution. Participants bring their own telescopes and spend the nights observing the night sky for planets, asteroids, stars, meteor shower, astronomical occultation and deep sky objects. "We organise star parties for members as well as general public. From dusk to dawn, Star Parties are held separately for the members (amateur astronomers) and astronomers; there are also special parties organised for the general public, which end before midnight," adds he.

Some of the unique initiatives of the parties also include watching the sunset, hunting for first star of the evening and observing evening Satellites. "For the ease of understanding, there are lectures for the first timers and amateurs on basic astronomy. We also give them guidance about how one should go about observing the night sky. Early mornings are spent observing morning satellites and viewing sunspots," adds Paranjpye.

For the forthcoming International Year of Astronomy 2009, Akashmitra will be gearing up with more activities of sky shows and public lectures. "We also have plans to organise one or two public lectures every month presided by scientists from IUCAA and NCRA. In addition to this we also plan to conduct a few hands-on workshops on telescope and sundial making."