Astronomy Publications in the Philippines

This is a listing of digital and print media publications for astronomy in the Philippines.


The Second Coming: 1986 Marks Comet Halley's Second Return This Century
Creator: Edwin Aguirre & Imelda Joson
Description:
A 355-page reference book on Halley's comet published by the National Research Council of the Philippines.
Format: printAccess: sale

Astronomy PH
Creator: GAIA - Open Research And Collaborative Learning Experience
Description:
A digital media designed to promote scientific communication and collaboration within the local astronomy community and the rest of the general public. It features news/articles from different astronomy and astronomy related groups, institutions and individuals.
Format: digital
Access: open

Appulse
Creator: Philippine Astronomical Society
Description:
Official newsletter of PAS
Format: digital
Access:

Philippine Journal of Astronomy
Creator: Astronomical League of the Philippines
Description:
Contains manuscripts, general astronomy articles, image submissions, reviews from professional and amateur astronomers, as well as news from the organization.
Format: digital
Access: members only (occasional open access)

ALPha
Creator: Astronomical League of the Phillipines
Description:
Official newsletter of ALP
Format: digital
Access: members only

Balatik: Etnoastronomiya Kalangitan sa kabihasnang Pilipino
Creator: Dr. Dante Ambrosio, PhD., UP Press
Description:
A compilation of ethnoastronomy research in the Philippines
Format: print
Access: Sale

A Catalogue of Astronomical Objects as reference for Campus Astronomy
Creator: Dr. Jesus Rodrigo Torres, PhD., RTU Academic Journal
Description:
An observing catalogue designed for student use with binoculars or small telescopes.
Format: print
Access: RTU DESS

Skyscape
Creator: RTU Department of Earth and Space Sciences
Description:
A compilation of digital media from students, faculty and staff of RTU-DESS.
Format: digital
Access: open

The Armillary
Creator: Armillary, RTU Astronomy Society
Description:
Official student publication of RTU AstroSoc.
Format: digital
Access:

Astronomical Diary
Creator: PAGASA
Description:
Monthly digital diary listing down observing events for the month
Format: digital, webpage only
Access: open

Stars and Galaxies
Creator: Norman Marigza
Description:
Astronomy textbook for the college course Astro4: Stars and Galaxies
Format: digital (in full-color and in printer friendly version)
Access: open via RTU BS Astro-Tech batch 2018 students

The Myths
Creator: Damiana L. Eugenio
Description:
Philippine Folk Literature Series. A compilation of Philippine lore on Philippine astronomy.
Format: print
Access: UP Press

Abstract Jupiter: An Anthology for the Cause of Aedan Pio
Creator: Literature V.S. Cancer
Description:
Astronomy artwork by cancer warrior Aedan Pio Malvar
Format: print
Access: Literature V.S. Cancer or at Prism Gallery

Manila Street Astronomers Schedule

The Manila Street Astronomers is a non-profit outreach astronomy group.

Part of our aim is to foster cooperation and collaboration among the local astronomy community. That is why our members comprise of volunteers from different astronomy organizations and the general public. Be part of our growing group - professional astronomers, amateur astronomers, astronomy and space enthusiasts, stargazers, everyone can take part. No membership fee/monthly dues of any kind required, just a passion to share and promote astronomy and other STEM areas.

Join us in our upcoming events [I shall try to update this post every time we have a new event]:

or learn more about us at our:

Facebook Group

Facebook Page

Website

Space Robots

It's summer once again and while some kids are going places during their vacation, some are joining summer camps. This summer I was tasked to create a robotics camp for SMILE (Specializing in Modern Interactive Learning Experiences) Group. The Space Race camp, which is a cross between robotics and space sciences, runs for 8 sessions. Here they get to use Lego Mindstorm's EV3 and design and program it as a space rover. They get to understand how robots are used in space exploration as well as understand the features of different space landscapes and phenomena.

In reality robots dominate the space exploration scene. One fundamental reason for this is that space is a harsh environment. It actually costs more for human space exploration than for robotic missions. Humans require life support systems - supply of air, water and food; radiation shielding; temperature control, etc. Also, humans are subject to physical and psychological problems during long periods of space flight and isolation.

Robots in space exist in many forms such as landers, rovers, orbiters, and utility bots. They are designed for specific environments and for specific functions. Here are some of them:

Curiosity Rover

Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover. The task of Curiosity is to study the Martian geology in order to find out whether Mars could have supported Microbial life

Robonaut2 (R2)

A humanoid robot designed to be a helper for astronauts.

Canadarm

Shuttle Remote Manipuator System (SRMS). This robotic arm captures, repairs, and deploys satellite's out into space.

Valkyrie (R5)

NASA's Robonaut 5. This humanoid robot is designed to operate in extreme space environments.

Solar Eclipse

Here is my coverage of the March 9 Partial Solar Eclipse as seen from Project 6, Quezon City, Philippines. I setup my Sky-Watcher Explorer 150PL with my Baader solar filter for imaging and my Celestron Travelscope 70 with black polymer filter for visual observation. The initial forecast in the morning suggested partly cloudy skies but was fortunate to get good conditions except for the end of the eclipse.

The umbral shadow will pass through the waters of Indonesia giving us only a partial view. Originally the plan was for me and my friends from the International School for Young Astronomers to meet back at Indonesia for the eclipse but we weren't able to do so. Instead I took a leave today from work to cover the eclipse. As the eclipse progressed I tried to share the observations to the general public via Facebook.

The rest of the astronomical community are dispersed in different areas to cover the eclipse. In the coming days I hope I can feature the different solar eclipse activities here.

Ignite 2016

On February 29, 2016 four astronomy groups came together for a collaborative solar astronomy workshop entitled "Ignite 2016". The whole day workshop was held at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Laboratory High School (PUP LHS). The participants were exposed to four areas:

• Solar observation and eclipse details
• Telescope basics
• Solar Astronomy lecture
• Astronomy virtual tour

This workshop was done to assist the newly established Astronomy, Science and Technological Research Association (ASTRA) of the PUPLHS. This effort was made possible through the cooperation of the Guild for Astronomy Innovation and Advancement (GAIA), the University of the Philippines Astronomical Society, and the Manila Street Astronomers (MSA).

For more event photos visit link 1 and link 2.

Filipino Astronomy Blogs

Below is a listing of astronomy blogs (including mixed blogs, and blog-style astronomy websites).

Philippine Astronomy Blogs
Blog	Author(s)	Year Started
First Light	Kin Enriquez	2005
The Sky Above	Erika Valdueza	2007
SU-Physics	Junior Philippine Physics Society	2007
Stargazers	Norman Marigza	2008
TV-101 Blog Page	James Kevin Ty	2008
Amateur Astronomer	Ezekiel	2008
Tani&#39s Astronomy Log	Nathaniel Custodio	2008
Lunar20	Reynold Chong	2009
Eclipse Hunter	Jodl Gayatin	2009
Paper, Chalkdust and Stars	Edward Von Delelis	2010
Chinilicious&#39 Topsy Turvy Town	Crisel Tungala	2010
Philippine Astronomy	Raymund John Ang	2010
Journey to the Stars	Criselda Roque	2010
Amateur Astronomy Adventures	Marvin Xylon Jaen	2010
The Night Sky in Focus	Anthony Guiller Urbano	2011
Diffraction Limited	Dennis Llante	2011
Astronomy & Living by Hernando	Hernando Bautista	2011
DSLR Astrophotography Philippines	Leo Dy	2012
The AstroBirder	Vincent R. Lao	2012
RTU Astrosoc	RTU Astronomy Society	2012
Sky Observer	Margareth Custodio	2012
Luminism	Shubhashish Banerjee	2015
Sidereal Times	UP Astronomical Society
Stardust Observatory	John Nassr
JVNoriega Astro Images	JV Noriega
The Cosmic Wanderer	Maria Sobina Yu	2015

You can also access a full description on the nature of these blogs in my 2012 seminar paper entitled Astronomy Blogging as a Medium for Developing Astronomy Education in the Philippines.

Dots in Space

Meet Aedan Pio, an intelligent 4-year old boy with a passion for space. He dreams of being an astronaut, and is a promising astro artist who does watercolor paintings of the planets. Sadly, Pio has a condition called chordoma (a rare kind of brain cancer).

To assist Pio, the Lung Center of the Philippines in coordination with Oxygen Art + Design Gallery will be hosting a fund raising art exhibit entitled Dots in Space. The exhibit will run from Sept 4 - Oct 6, 2015 at the lobby of the Lung Center (Quezon Avenue, Quezon City). Pio has several watercolor paintings of the solar system being sold as well as some paintings by his grandmother. I also contributed four paintings in the exhibit. Other astro artists and imagers are encouraged to add to the ongoing exhibit to help Pio.

As I looked at Pio's paintings I was amazed how he has certain details about the planets such as their colors and features. One particular painting I saw has all the terrestrial planets on one side and the gas giants on the other with Pluto located away from the line-up in accordance with its current dwarf planet status. During the short chat I had with Pio he asked me why Jupiter is so big. I was also surprised to Pio's response when his mom told him to ask me what is Jupiter made off. He responded by saying that Jupiter is made of mostly Hydrogen and Helium.

One of Pio's paintings.

For those interested to contribute you may contact me here, or reach the exhibit curator Dara Solevilla at 09153023274.