Transcript Impact of Astronomical Outreach in Nepalese Society

Impact of Astronomical Outreach in
Nepalese Society
By: Riwaj Pokhrel
Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO)
Kathmandu, Nepal
Presented at: CAP2010, Cape Town, South Africa
Outline:
• Astronomy Education
status in Nepal
• Working groups
• NASO actively working
for popularizing science
• Impact of NASO
outreach activities
Astronomy Education status in Nepal
Planetarium and observatory
• Government of Nepal has established
B.P. Koirala Memorial Planetarium,
Observatory and Science Museum
Development Board in 1992 in order to
establish Planetaria, Observatories and
Science Museums in Nepal & conduct
research activities in the area of
Astronomy,
Astrophysics
and
Cosmology.
• The observatory is now ready but the
planetarium and Science Museum are
still under construction.
Astronomy Education status in Nepal
University Education
•
Tribhuvan University is only one
university
which
offers
Astrophysics and cosmology
course in Master’s level.
•
The
research
work
in
Astronomy and Astrophysics
(A&A) has been started since
June 2005. Mr. Sunil Mani
Kandel is the first student who
completed masters thesis in the
field of A&A at the Central
Department
of
Physics,
Tribhuvan University.
Astronomy Education status in Nepal
University Education
•
By 2009 32 students have
completed their Masters thesis
in A&A. In addition, three
students
completed
their
research work as independent
contribution.
•
Currently, in this session
(2009-2010), six students are
doing research work for their
masters' thesis.
•
You can find all the updates on
http://astronepal.webs.com
Astronomy Education status in Nepal
School Education
• Environment and Science
in primary Education which
covers 10% of the total
course
• Astronomy is included in
Science lower Secondary
and Astronomy is included
in Secondary Level which
contains 10% of the total
course
• In Higher Secondary Level
5% of the total course is
covered by astronomy
Amateur working groups
Astronomical Communities:
 Nepal Astronomical Society
(NASO)
 Galileo Astronomical Society of
Pokhara Nepal
 Kosmandu Astronomy Club,kathmandu
 Balmiki Campus,Kathmandu
 Takshashila Academy,Kathmandu
 AIM Astro Club,Kathmandu
NASO actively working for popularizing
science
 NASO has five telescopes and
binoculars and it organizes star
parties in different places.
 NASO conducts talk programmes,
workshops and seminars.
 NASO gives press releases
different astronomical events.
on
 NASO gives lectures on different
topics of astronomy for school
children collaborating with schools.
NASO actively working for popularizing
science
 NASO
actively
participate
in
global
events, for eg. IYA2009
 NASO
has
been
organizing star parties
all over the country.
 NASO is launching its
website on mid April
during Nepali New year.
 NASO is planning to
organize
many
other
activities in collaboration
with other NGO’s and
INGO’s.
NASO actively working for popularizing
science
Celebration of IYA2009:
•
Programme: Star party
Date:4 January,2009
Venue: Kaushal English Boarding School, Balaju, Kathmandu
Number of Participants: 100+
Remarks: Venus, Jupiter and The Moon were observed during the
time.
•
Programme: Participation in IAU S 260
The Role of Astronomy in our Society
Date: 19-23 January, 2009
Venue: Paris, France
Number of participants: 2 from NASO
Remarks: Rishi Shah and Suresh Bhattarai from NASO
.
NASO actively working for popularizing
science
Celebration of IYA2009:
•
Programme: Comet Lulin Observation Campaign
Date: 24 February, 2009
Venue: Nepal Academy of Science and Technology
(NAST),Khumaltar, Lalitpur
Number of participants: 60+
Remarks: One time comet (parabolic path)
•
Programme: Saturn Observation Campaign
Date: 24 February, 2009
Venue: Nepal Academy of Science and Technology
(NAST),Khumaltar, Lalitpur
Number of participants: 60+
Remarks: Largest moon Titan was also observed.
NASO actively working for popularizing
science
Celebration of IYA2009:
•
•
Programme: 100 Hours of Astronomy
Date: April 2-5, 2009
Venue: Kathmandu
Number of participants: 300+
Remarks: Celebrated in Celebration Co-Ed School, Jorpati; St.
Xavier’s college, Maitighar. This was a cornerstone project of
IYA2009
Programme: Release Ceremony of Nepal’s first Astronomy
documentary
Date: June 14, 2009
Venue: St. Xavier’s college, Maitighar, Kathmandu
Number of participants: 150
Remarks: Presented by GD Pudasaini and Utsav Kandel
NASO actively working for popularizing
science
Celebration of IYA2009:
Programme: Solar Observation Campaign
Date: June 14, 2009
Venue: St. Xavier’s college, Maitighar, Kathmandu
Number of participants: 50
Remarks: Using solar eclipse glasses for the first time in Nepal provided to NASO
by EurAstro, Germany
Programme: Solar Eclipse Observation Campaign
Date: July 22, 2009
Venue: Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST),Khumaltar, Lalitpur
Number of participants: 300+
Remarks: First eclipse observation programme with solar eclipse glasses. First time
in history of Nepal live telecast of solar eclipse from different TV channels and
participation of Prime Minister in our programme at NAST ground.
NASO actively working for popularizing
science
Celebration of IYA2009:
•
Programme: Star Peace Event
Date: Sept 21, 2009
Venue: Takshashila Academy,Bishalnagar,
Number of participants: 50+
•
Programme: Galilean Nights in Nepal
Date: October 23, 2009
Venue: DDC Hall, Dhangadi,Kailali,Nepal
Number of participants: 1000+
NASO actively working for popularizing
science
Celebration of IYA2009:
•
Programme: Workshop on Astrophotography and Image Processing
Date: Nov 15, 2009
Venue: Watrin Hall, St. Xavier’s College,Maitighar,Kathmandu,Nepal
Number of participants: 120+
Remarks: discussion on astro-tourism
•
Programme: Leonids Outburst Observation Campaign 2009
Date: Nov 17/18
Venue: Nagarkot Hill Station, Nagarkot, Bhaktapur, Nepal
Number of participants: 50+
•
Programme: Star party at Bhaktapur Durbar Square
Date: Nov 19, 2009
Venue: Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Bhaktapur, Nepal
Number of participants: 1000+
Remarks: Great outreach in the history of Nepal
NASO actively working for popularizing
science
Celebration of IYA2009:
•
Programme: Geminid Meteor shower in Nepal
Date: Dec 14, 2009
Venue: H.B. Complex, Lalitpur,Kathmandu,Nepal
Number of participants: 30+
NASO actively working for
popularizing science
Beyond 2009
•
•
•
•
Observation Programme at Central
Department of Physics February 10,
2010
Hello Red Planet February 2, 2010
Solar eclipse observation campaign Jan
15, 2010
Talk programme on Annular solar
eclipse at NAST, Jan 14, 2010
NASO actively working
for popularizing science
Impact of NASO activities:
We tried to develop the scientific
temper, humanism and spirit of
inquiry and reform among students,
working professionals and general
masses.
We make people especially students
think logically and reasonably.
We help people to broaden the
knowledge of human beings.
Impact of NASO activities:
 NASO is popularizing all the science activities
and hence developing technologically civilized
scientific societies.
 Reduction of superstitious beliefs.
 Establishment of Scientific aware society.
 Increase application of science and technology
in different sectors.
 People are now Generating income through
astrotourism.
 Students participating in space science
activities.
 Development of our country Nepal through
astronomy activities.
RESULTS OF THE ACTIVITIES:
Observational Activities
is increasing the number
of people believe in
science
Awareness
of
astronomic
al facts
like meteor
showers,
eclipse
etc.
Development of
our society
Encouraging people to
do study and research
Reducing
superstitiou
s beliefs
Glimpses of NASO activities
Programme at Dhangadi, far west region of Nepal, October 2009
Glimpses of NASO activities
Glimpses of NASO activities
Grand outreach in Bhaktapur Durbar Square, November 19, 2009
Astrophotography Workshop, November 15, 2009
Glimpses of NASO activities
NASO team with different international groups
Glimpses of NASO activities
Programme at different places
Thank You !!!
THANK YOU !!!
Riwaj Pokhrel
Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO)
Po.Box 21229
Email: [email protected]
URL: http://astronomy-nepal.blogspot.com
Kathmandu, Nepal