Global Astronomy Month 2012 Program

The programs for the Global Astronomy Month 2012 (GAM 2012) are now out. The GAM is the biggest global celebration of astronomy which has its roots from the celebration of the International Year of Astronomy 2009. It's key focus is to bring people together to celebrate astronomy as ONE PEOPLE, ONE SKY. This coming April is the 3rd international celebration of the GAM.



Here is the program schedule taken from the Astronomers Without Borders website:

 AWB is planning a rich schedule of programs and events for Global Astronomy Month 2012 (GAM2012), all designed to inform and inspire the public throughout the world. Below is a sampling of some major events listed by date but there is much more to come soon. For more information on each program, click on the highlighted links.

Date / Time	Program
23 March to 27 April	IASC Asteroid Search Campaign
1 April	SunDay
1 April	Online Messier Marathon (remote observing event)
1 to 7 April	Lunar Week
1 to 22 April	Earth and Sky Photo Contest
8 April	Bats & Radio Astronomy (live presentation)
11 to 20 April	Globe at Night
12 April	Yuri's Night
14 to 20 April	International Dark Skies Week
15 April	Saturn Watch (Beatuy without Borders)
15 April	Around the Ringed Planet (remote observing event)
19 April	Cosmic Depths (remote observing event)
20 April	World Night in Defence of the Starlight
21 to 22 April	Lyrids Watch (Meteors without Borders)
27 April	Walking on the Moon (remote observing event)
28 April	Global Star Party
28 April	Stars for All (remote observing event)
28 April	Opticks (live moonbounce event)
29 April	Cosmic Concert (live musical concert)
30 April	Write Your Name in The Sky (remote observing event)
Throughout April	One Star at a Time - Fight Light Pollution
Throughout April	Astropoetry Contest for GAM2012
Throughout April	Programs for Planetariums
Throughout April	Programs for People with Disabilities
Throughout April	30 Nights of Star Peace
Throughout April	MicroObservatory Astrophotography Contest
Throughout April	Olympicosmopoetriada for GAM2012
Throughout April	The Sky in Your Hands

Astronomy Beyond Visual Observations

This morning, we went to 118 San Miguel, (Brgy. Plainview) Mandaluyong City, to have our extension program. Part of our requirements as graduate students in Astronomy of RTU is the conducting of an extension project. The goal was to promote astronomy education by providing scientific awareness as well as foster an interest into the hobby/science of astronomy. We also sought to inspire the young minds of students as well as give them a first hand opportunity in being involved in astronomical activities.

We introduced the kids to the basic facts about astronomy, various naked eye objects, the celestial sphere and the use and assembly of telescopes.

MARS

Re-Processed M42

Since I'm still relatively new to astrophotography, I'm still learning how to improve my image processing. For now I'm happy with how this image turned out. :D

Hello Mars

Last Sunday, we were at Rajah Solayman Park to hold a public viewing of Mars. This is a project of the Astronomers Without Borders in collaboration with Sidewalk Astronomers. The activity was entitled “Beauty Without Borders: Hello Red Planet” where observers all around the globe set their scopes on the streets to let people get a glimpse of the red planet during its closest approach/opposition.

The opposition is the time when the Sun, the Earth, and a superior planet (planets orbiting beyond Earth’s orbit) are aligned making the planet visible the entire night. In this scenario, the planet will rise just as the Sun will set, and will set just as the planet will rise. This is also when the planet is closest to Earth, making it the best time to observe it.

A lot of people passing by came to take a glimpse of Mars through our telescopes. We had 5 telescopes set up to look at Mars for that evening. Unfortunately, there were some clouds covering Mars every now and then so we let the people view the Moon during those periods.

Moon-Venus-Jupiter Conjunction

Conjuction taken on 24 February 2012 at the National Institute of Physics after attending a lecture by Dr. Reinabelle Reyes. Image taken with a Nikon D3100.

NAW Closing Ceremonies

Dr. Jett Aguilar gives a talk on Solar Imaging

Christopher Go shares the secrets of planetary imaging

From left: Cutting edge representative, Christopher Lu, Ruby dela Cruz, Norman Marigza, John Cabrera, Christopher Go, Dr. Jett Aguilar, Pauline Divinagracia, James Ty, Dr. Armando Lee, Andrew Chan

RTU AstroSoc

John Ray Cabrera talks about dark matter and dark energy

RTU AstroSoc with ALP

My talk on threats we face from the universe

Astrophysicist Dr. Reinabelle Reyes listening to the talks

ALPers in a wacky shot