On September 29, 2008, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed Proclamation 1630 declaring that the Philippines will officially take part in the International Year of Astronomy 2009.
A copy of the declaration can be found here:
http://www.astronomy2009.ph/files/pdf/IYA2009PH-Proclamation.pdf
The official copy of the proclamation can be retrieved here:
http://www.ops.gov.ph/records/issuances-proc/
According to the proclamation, the following are in charge of the Philippine celebration:
*PAGASA
*PCASTRD
*UP College of Science
*UP Training Center for Applied Geodesy and Photogrammetry
*UP NISMED
*NAMRIA
*Rizal Technological University
*UBIQOM, Inc.
Other scientific organizations and astronomical societies are encouraged to participate by organizing activities, such as lectures and telescope viewing, for the year-long event.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Monday, October 6, 2008
World Space Week
October 4 to 10 is the celebration of the World Space Week. The World Space Week is an annual global space celebration coordinated by the Spaceweek International Association.
The World Space Week was declared in 1999 by the United Nations General Assembly. The event celebrates the contribution of space science and technology to improve our lives. It also marks the anniversary of two milestones in space exploration: Sputnik I(1st artificial Satellite) and the entry into force of the Treaty Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, Including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies.
The World Space Week was declared in 1999 by the United Nations General Assembly. The event celebrates the contribution of space science and technology to improve our lives. It also marks the anniversary of two milestones in space exploration: Sputnik I(1st artificial Satellite) and the entry into force of the Treaty Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, Including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies.
NASA goes 50
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is celebrating their 50 years of discovery and innovation. NASA officialy goes 50 year on October 1 but they began their grand celebrations on Sep 24 at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum.
Interactive features to celebrate NASA's 50 years are in the NASA website, such as virtual tours, galleries and exhibits.
http://www.nasa.gov/50th/home/index.html
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
In memory of Pluto
We all now that Pluto has recently been demoted from being a planet to being a dwarf planet. So now we have Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. For the dwarf planets however, we have the 2003UB313(later renamed Erin), Ceres(the asteroid), Pluto and some recently discovered bodies.
Pluto however was given recognition by giving dwarf planets from Pluto and onwards, a classification called PLUTOID. So all the dwarf planets excluding Ceres is now called a PLUTOID.
Pluto however was given recognition by giving dwarf planets from Pluto and onwards, a classification called PLUTOID. So all the dwarf planets excluding Ceres is now called a PLUTOID.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Partial Lunar Eclipse
2008's Last Eclipse would be visible to the Philippines on August 17.
The eclipse will begin at 2:23 AM and end on 11:57 AM, Philippine Standard Time. The eclipse would be face to watch without any protective eye filters. Binoculars and telescopes will come in handy. Clear skies and goodluck!
The eclipse will begin at 2:23 AM and end on 11:57 AM, Philippine Standard Time. The eclipse would be face to watch without any protective eye filters. Binoculars and telescopes will come in handy. Clear skies and goodluck!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Choosing a Telescope
If you are off to buy your first telescope, here are some reminders as to your choice of telescopes:
1. Always take a look at the power, image brightness and portability against the cost.
2. A common misconception is with magnification. This is not the most important specification, so do not use this as basis.
Interchangeable eyepieces are a solution to variety in magnification.
3. The most important specification of telescopes is the aperture (the diameter of the main lens/mirror).
The aperture is usually written in mm (the larger the aperture, the brighter and sharper the images).
4. For beginners, look for a telescope with an altazimuth mount.
A variation to this is the Dobsonian mount which is easy to use.
But if you plan to buy a motorized telescope, these telescopes use the equatorial mount.
5. Plastic is a negative thing. It’s preferable to have metal or wooden construction.
6. Look at the quality of the finder aid. A finder aid is helpful in looking for variety of objects in the sky.
Poor finder aids make it hard to point at objects.
There are new finders called reflex finder which uses a red LED at your target.
7. Think of your storage area and where you plan to use your telescope. Large and bulky telescopes would most likely be kept in one are alone. Lighter and smaller telescopes are easier to bring around.
8. Check the mount for sturdiness. It helps to check this before making a purchase.
9. Try out other telescopes. It is best to be familiar with the different kinds of telescopes and how to use them so that you would find out what is best for you. Joining amateur astronomy groups during stargazing events can allow you to get a look at other telescopes.
WARNING!!!
No matter how big your telescope is, you won't be able to see nebulae and galaxies in full color as depicted in long-exposure and computer-enhanced photographs.
Although a telescope will show you more, the eye is not sensitive enough to see the colors.
Also, you cannot see flags and footprints on the moon.
No Earth based telescope is powerful enough to do such.
Beginner's Choice: 6 inch (150mm) - 8 inch (200mm) reflector with Dobsonian mount.
For a variety of telescope choices visit:
www.telescopeplanet.co.uk
1. Always take a look at the power, image brightness and portability against the cost.
2. A common misconception is with magnification. This is not the most important specification, so do not use this as basis.
Interchangeable eyepieces are a solution to variety in magnification.
3. The most important specification of telescopes is the aperture (the diameter of the main lens/mirror).
The aperture is usually written in mm (the larger the aperture, the brighter and sharper the images).
4. For beginners, look for a telescope with an altazimuth mount.
A variation to this is the Dobsonian mount which is easy to use.
But if you plan to buy a motorized telescope, these telescopes use the equatorial mount.
5. Plastic is a negative thing. It’s preferable to have metal or wooden construction.
6. Look at the quality of the finder aid. A finder aid is helpful in looking for variety of objects in the sky.
Poor finder aids make it hard to point at objects.
There are new finders called reflex finder which uses a red LED at your target.
7. Think of your storage area and where you plan to use your telescope. Large and bulky telescopes would most likely be kept in one are alone. Lighter and smaller telescopes are easier to bring around.
8. Check the mount for sturdiness. It helps to check this before making a purchase.
9. Try out other telescopes. It is best to be familiar with the different kinds of telescopes and how to use them so that you would find out what is best for you. Joining amateur astronomy groups during stargazing events can allow you to get a look at other telescopes.
WARNING!!!
No matter how big your telescope is, you won't be able to see nebulae and galaxies in full color as depicted in long-exposure and computer-enhanced photographs.
Although a telescope will show you more, the eye is not sensitive enough to see the colors.
Also, you cannot see flags and footprints on the moon.
No Earth based telescope is powerful enough to do such.
Beginner's Choice: 6 inch (150mm) - 8 inch (200mm) reflector with Dobsonian mount.
For a variety of telescope choices visit:
www.telescopeplanet.co.uk
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Stargazer Tricks
Here are some neat stargazing tricks that you can try out:
1. Use RED light. -> red light has lesser strain on your eyes so it is the best color of light you can use to preserve your night vision. Also, most sky maps are designed to be easilly viewed under a red light.
2. Know where you are by finding the north star. -> The north star, polaris can tell you how many degrees you are from the equator. How? Look for Polaris (tail of the little dipper), then determine its angular distance (vertical distance from horizon measured in degrees). The angular distance is the same with your distance in the globe.
3. Recycle to make a quadrant. -> To measure angular distance, an easy tool to use and make is a quadrant. if you buy plastic protractors they usually get broken. Take the broken protractor and take a quarter circle. You can attach this to a piece of cardboard also cut to a quarter circle. Punch a hole in the focus and suspend a weight from the hole. When you view the horizon, look along the 90 deg. line, the weight will fall on the 0 deg. mark giving the 0 deg. angular distance. as you look up the weight slides down giving you the rising angular measurement.
4. Reach for the skies. -> astronomers use arc length to estimate the length of a celestial object. Extend your fist to the sky at arms length. At this distance, your fist length is equal to 10 degrees arc.
Want to share your tricks? email or comment in this blog.
1. Use RED light. -> red light has lesser strain on your eyes so it is the best color of light you can use to preserve your night vision. Also, most sky maps are designed to be easilly viewed under a red light.
2. Know where you are by finding the north star. -> The north star, polaris can tell you how many degrees you are from the equator. How? Look for Polaris (tail of the little dipper), then determine its angular distance (vertical distance from horizon measured in degrees). The angular distance is the same with your distance in the globe.
3. Recycle to make a quadrant. -> To measure angular distance, an easy tool to use and make is a quadrant. if you buy plastic protractors they usually get broken. Take the broken protractor and take a quarter circle. You can attach this to a piece of cardboard also cut to a quarter circle. Punch a hole in the focus and suspend a weight from the hole. When you view the horizon, look along the 90 deg. line, the weight will fall on the 0 deg. mark giving the 0 deg. angular distance. as you look up the weight slides down giving you the rising angular measurement.
4. Reach for the skies. -> astronomers use arc length to estimate the length of a celestial object. Extend your fist to the sky at arms length. At this distance, your fist length is equal to 10 degrees arc.
Want to share your tricks? email or comment in this blog.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)