Public Star Gazing Night

Organised by MPASTRO

Date: 15 August, 12 September, 21 November 2009

Time: 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM

Venue: Woodlands Community Club, Reading Room

Posted by Derek
Categories: Stargazings & Observations

MPASTRO aims to provide opportunities for the public to enjoy and learn about astronomy at the comfort of their neighbourhood (especially people in the east), as well as maximize night-sky observation experiences with their own next-door neighbours.

The stargazing session will acheive that objective and it consists of a lecture and a telescope viewing session at the CC’s roof top.

Time: 7:15pm – 9:00pm

Venue: Marine Parade Community Centre

Suitable for all ages.

Registration begin from 7:15pm at the registration booth beside MPCC Office.

Stargazing dates in 2009:
28th February
28th March
25th April
23rd May
27th June
25th July
29thd August
19th September
17th October
21st November
19th December

Posted by Derek
Categories: Stargazings & Observations, Talks & Lectures

The Thrill of Adrenaline: That’s what AstrOrdinary Camp is all about! From the dark sky environment in the jungle at the Pulau Ubin, youths of all ages explore “the heavens” with telescopes and experience the joys fellowship with astronomers from various schools. In this “immersion” experience people get to know and interact with amateur astronomers, learn to operate telescopes, keeping night-time hours, and interpreting their own observations.

This camp emphasizes hands-on learning experiences. This camp allows youths experience astronomy in an adventure way during the day time with exciting outdoor activities. In addition, students from other schools who are interested in astronomy are invited as well. The participant does not require a prior background in astronomy to join for this camp.

Details of the camp are as follows:
Duration: 20 Jun 09 – 21 Jun 09
Time: 12.00pm to 11.00am
Venue: Pulau Ubin (Kekek Quarry)

Please refer to the publicity poster above and document attached here for more details about the camp. It is compulsory for participants to bring the consent & indemnity form found here on the day itself.

Early bird promotion: All bumboat ride and bicycles are sponsored for the first 24 campers to sign up!

You may register by emailing to mpastrosociety @ gmail.com

Posted by Rong'en
Categories: Stargazings & Observations

Shell Astro Nite – 29 May 2009

When: 7pm – 11pm

Where: Science Centre

Programme for the Evening:-

Locations for viewing stations in Science Centre:-

There will be an educational booklet (est. 12 – 16 pp) to be given out to visitors to the Science Centre on Shell Astro Nite and it will contain information on astronomy and some hands-on activity. The booklet would include information such as

Posted by Derek
Categories: Series of Events, Stargazings & Observations, Talks & Lectures

In celebration of the International Year of Astronomy (IYA) 2009, Science Centre Singapore and The Astronomical Society of Singapore (TASOS) together with their partners, HISTORY^TM, StarHub and VivoCity, are bringing to Singaporeans a Sidewalk Astronomy Carnival. The Carnival will provide a unique opportunity for the public to gain an understanding of astronomy through observations of the sky and related educational talks, activities and documentaries that bring enjoyment and edutainment to both young and old. The public will be able to get up close and personal with the Moon and Saturn through telescopes set up on site.

Details of the carnival are as follows:

Dates: 1 & 2 May 09
Time: 6pm – 10pm
Venue: VivoCity Skypark

The programme is as follows:

Posted by Rong'en
Categories: Stargazings & Observations, Talks & Lectures

The Challenge

In 2009, Shell Singapore Youth Science Festival Committee is organising an exciting new activity called “Shell Astro Challenge” to complement the 2009 International Year of Astronomy.

The following are the objectives of Shell Astro Challenge:

• to give people the opportunity to gain a basic understanding of Astronomy through sky-observing experiences and educational materials; and
• to provide an avenue to connect amateur astronomers, educators and professionals through these activities.

To fulfil its objectives, Shell Astro Challenge seeks the collaboration of schools, astronomy clubs, teachers and students to embark on a nationwide socio-educational event that aims to reach to as many people, new to Astronomy, as possible.

The Aim?

To put it simply, get as many people to view the night-sky through telescopes set up in schools.

When?

Schools can now choose to hold their viewing exercise on: -
a)    either 15 or 29 May 2009 from 8pm to 11pm
b)    both 15 and 29 May 2009 from 8pm to 11pm (the committee will only take the higher of the 2 nights’ score for the competition)

What Do We Get?

In response to feedback given by schools who are participating in the event, it is clear that they want to encourage students to be interested in astronomy and schools are more concern about the educational spin-off of the event. The prize is not the main concern and schools are keen to see more prizes rather than limited high value prizes.

As such, we have adjusted the prizes as such for each category of awards: -

1. First prize of $300 + trophy
2. Second prize of $200; and
3. Third prize of $100.

On top of that, ALL participating schools will receive a telescope free-of-charge.

The telescope is the newly developed Galileoscope™, which is a high-quality, low-cost telescope kit developed for the International Year of Astronomy 2009 by a team of leading astronomers, optical engineers, and science educators.

For more information on the Galileoscope, please refer to http://www.galileoscope.org/

Where Do We Sign Up?

The Shell Astro Challenge is opened to all primary, secondary schools and junior colleges.

To participate in the Shell Astro Challenge, simply complete the registration form.

You may download the form here and fax it in to us @ 65616361.

If your school doesn’t have any telescopes, you may request for the loaning of telescopes using this form.

All applications will be acknowledged (via fax or email). As vacancies are limited, applications will be accepted on a first-come-first-served basis.

For any enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact Ms Sue Chan at Tel: 6425 2594/91 (Email: sl_chan@science.edu.sg)

You may also download the original invitation letter from here.

The list of participating schools and the dates on which they will be holding the star-gazing are as follows:

Posted by Derek
Categories: Competitions, Stargazings & Observations

The 16th IPS-NYP Annual Astronomy Retreat is confirmed! This year we will celebrate UNESCO International Year of Astronomy, 400 years since Galileo’s discovery of the Heavens!  It will be a 4D3N trip, 5 meals a day, with lodging. The venue will be Desaru Golden Beach Resort (sounds familiar, anyone?). Travelling will be by coach SIN – DESARU – SIN, both to and fro.

Prices are as follows:
Twin sharing – S$ 295.00/person
(Triple Sharing) – S$275.00/person

Please note that there will be no refund after closing date of 15/05/2009.

For more information about Desaru Golden Beach Resort, please visit
http://www.desaruresort.com/DesaruGoldenBeach/main.htm.

For more details, please contact Ms Carole Aw at yenaw @ pacific.net.sg, or Mr Au Mun Chew at auasoc @ singnet.com.sg.

To register, please download and fill up the CosmoCraft Application form, and mail it to the address stated in the application form.

At this point of time….due to Malaysia case of H1N1.

MOE have advise all traveling to affect country to cancelled.

WE have decide to cancelled this June trip.

Posted by Rong'en
Categories: Stargazings & Observations

For singles 20 to 35, making new friends under the stars!

Start Time: Saturday, March 14 at 6:45pm
End Time: Saturday, March 14 at 11:00pm

Where: Bougainvilliea Garden at East Coast Park (gather at Marine Parade CC)

Event Fee:
$10 for Passion Card Holder
$15 for Non-Passion Card Holder

Event Coordinator: Mr Zeng Jiayi

The Marine Parade CC YEC Astronomical Society will be organising Pavilion Star Party targeted at singles to meet and mingle.
It is supported by Marine Parade Family Life Champion (FLC) and Marine Parade CC Youth Group (YEC).
The participants will get to know one another better through speed dating, interactive crossword puzzle game and romantic star gazing session.

For more information, log in to facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=45004931644

For enquiry, please drop a email to valentinempastro@gmail.com
OR contact our event coordinator at 97414952

Posted by Derek
Categories: Stargazings & Observations

3^rd AstroFest 2009

The ACJC Astronomy Society will be organising AstroFest 2009. We cordially invite your school to participate in this event, which will be held on the following two days:

23 May 2009 (Sat) from 1pm – 6pm (Registration starts at 1pm in ACJC lobby)
30 May 2009 (Sat) from 1pm – 10pm

This is an annual event aimed at bringing together Astronomy enthusiasts from various institutions to share their experiences and learn from each other, and fostering ties between the various schools. After last year’s success, we hope for your school’s continued support.

The teams will go through a two-day event where they will be immersed in enriching activities for them to learn Astronomy while getting to know others from the community. An Astronomy fair displaying projects done by the teams will follow in the afternoon of the second day, which will undergo judging by professionals. In the evening, after the final round, participants would be shuttled by bus to Singapore Science Centre for a casual stargazing session.

The programme includes the following:

• Astronomy Fair and Contest
• Mind Games
• Dinner Reception on Second Day
• Astronomy Sharing by experienced astronomers
• Stargazing

We cordially invite your school to send teams of 3 or less students to participate in this event. You may send a maximum of 3 teams (9 students).

A registration fee of $65 will be charged for each team, which includes AstroFest T-shirts and dinner reception for all participants. All payment is to be made by IFAAS or cheque payable to “Anglo-Chinese Junior College” by 23 May 2009. Registration of teams closes on 4 April 2009. Please reply early to facilitate our planning for the event. Thank you.

Participants should wear their school uniforms (if applicable) and bring along attire for physical activities. They may change into their AstroFest T-shirts during the event.

Please email us at ACJCastrofest@gmail.com if you need any further information. Thank you.

Dear All,

Anglo-Chinese Junior College Astronomy Society is proud to present to you AstroFest 2009. This year’s AstroFest would be held on the 23rd and 30th May 2009, both Saturdays, in the college premises.

AstroFest is an annual event aimed at bringing together Astronomy enthusiasts from various institutions to share their experiences, learn from each other, and foster ties between the various schools. After last year’s encouraging response, we hope to attract even more teams from the various schools to participate this year.

On the first day, the teams will go through a day camp where they will be immersed in enriching activities for them to learn Astronomy while getting to know others from the community. On the second day, an Astronomy Fair exhibiting projects done by the teams would be held and will undergo judging by professionals. The finals would be held after that and the winning teams will walk away with attractive prices. In the evening, participants would be brought over to the Singapore Science Centre to end off the event with an exciting stargazing session.

This year, we hope to give away even more attractive prizes. So teams taking part, give your best shot!

Attached to this email is the invitation letter. Teachers, kindly take a look at it, fill it up and send it back to us by 4 April 2009.

We look forward to working closely with you.

Thank you very much.

Yours faithfully,
Sujay Natson
President
ACJC Astronomy Society

P.S. Do kindly relay this invitation to other school Astronomy clubs whose contacts have not been included in the email.

You may download the invitation letter here.

Congratulations to the following prize-winners!

Team Champion: RGS Team 2
Stacey-Ann Lee Wanpei
Gillian Wong Miswardi
Isabella Ow Dan Wei

Prizes:
3 Gold Trophies
Celestron 15 x 70 SkyMaster Binocs
Ruggedised Firewire HDD Enclosure

Team 1st Runner-Up: RI(JC) Team 1
Aaron Tang Kai Wen
Huang Wenjie
Huang Renyong

Prizes:
3 Silver Trophies
The Galileoscope
NixVue Visor

Team 2nd Runner-Up: CJC Team 3
David Alvin Low Tze Wen
Deborah Felicia Tan Li Ling
Sean Fang Jia Hao

Prizes:
3 Bronze Trophies
Solar Polymer Viewers
Starry Night Galaxy Explorer Win/Mac CD

Best Project Award:  RI(JC) Team 1
Aaron Tang Kai Wen
Huang Wenjie
Huang Renyong

Prizes:
Best Project Trophy
Starry Night Atlas of the Sky
Set of Deep Sky Astro Posters by Jack Newton

Special Round Winners: RI(JC) Team 1
Aaron Tang Kai Wen
Huang Wenjie
Huang Renyong

Prizes:
Starry Night Galaxy Explorer Win/Mac CD
20 Slides Set of Electronic Images Taken at Palomar Observatory

Posted by Derek
Categories: Celestial Events, Competitions, Series of Events, Stargazings & Observations, Talks & Lectures

For more information, please visit here.

The Distance to the Moon

When you drive a car during the night and see the moon at the sky the moon will, as all stars, go along with you perfectly: It seems to be infinitely far away.
It is the goal of this project to visualize and to mediate the experience that the distance to the moon is not infinitely large. We will determine this distance by taking photographs simultaneously from different locations all over the world and by comparing the moon’s positions on these pictures.
Therefore, the moon should be photographed within the constellation Leo

on May 30^th/31^th, 2009, 12.00, 17.00, 20.00, 22.00 and 02.00 UT

(possible alternative: October 10^th/11^th, 2009, 19.00, 02.00, 4.00, 08.00 and 19.00 UT)

from as many locations on earth as possible so that, at least, Regulus and Saturn can be made out, additionally.

By comparison of the resulting pictures, it will become obvious that the moon’s position with respect to the background of stars depends on the position of observation. The following picture shows a corresponding simulation.

Moon, simultaneously photographed from Essen (Germany) and Windhoek (Namibia) on May 30^th, 2009, 21.00 UT
(simulated with Guide 8.0)

Selection of the observation time

The moon seems to be much brighter than stars and planets. Therefore, it is quite difficult to make pictures showing not only the moon but some bright stars and/or planets. Either the moon is suitable exposured, than the exposure time is too short for imaging other objects. Or bright stars and planets are clearly to recognize, than the moon’s image is by far to bright.

This problem may be solved by two actions:

1. Pictures of the moon are made when bright stars and/or planets are in the near neighbourhood. The brightest stars passed by the moon during one month are Aldebaran (03b1; Tau), Castor and Pollux (? und ? Gem), Regulus (? Leo) and Antares (? Sco). But, in order to be able to measure the moon’s position at least two reference objects are needed. Therefore, most often a bright planet nearby is necessary. In 2009, Saturn close to Regulus and Mars near Castor and Pollux may be suitable.
2. Pictures of the moon are made when it is illuminated to a small part only (as waxing or waning crescent). But, the “younger” the moon is the shorter it is visible at night, or vice versa, the smaler the part of the earth’s night side which is visible to the moon. The narrower the crescent the less people can observe the moon simultaneously! Therefore, a compromise must be found between the moon’s brightness as small as possible and a simultaneous visibility from an as large part of the earth’s night side as possible.

In 2009, there will be no proper situation with the moon between two bright planets. However, at the proposed time the waxing half moon is between Saturn and Regulus. It can be observed during the first half of the night. At the alternative observation time the moon will stand near Castor, Pollux and Mars. But as waning half moon, it must be observed in the second half of the night. And to do that would be much less convenient!

Observing times and participating countries

May 30^th, 2009, 20.00 UT (22.00 MESZ) will be the central observing time of this project. At that moment the moon will be visible from Europe (without the British Islands and Scandinavia) and from Africa. In order to give as many people as possible the opportunity to participate we propose additional observing times. The following tabular and the picture below visualize which countries can take part at which times:

The earth as seen from the moon at the proposed observing times. (simulated with Home Planet 3.3a)
The pictures visualize in which countries the moon will be observable at night.

Observing procedure

1. We asked all people interessed in participating to send their email address (it will not be published!) and their geographical position. Whe plan to generate a world map showing all locations from which the moon will be photographed.
2. Use the maximum magnification of your zoom objective. Of course, the moon and the reference objects must be contained in the picture.
3. Let T₀ be the proposed moment of observation.
   Take three photos with exposure times -1,±0, +1 every time
   1. at T₀ – 15 min
   2. at T₀ and
   3. at T₀ + 15 min.
4. Measure the pixel coordinates of Saturn, Regulus and moon on the digitized pictures by yourself (for instance, with the program evalmoonpicts which will be published here).
5. Send some of your best pictures to (file name: “location(observer)ddmmhhmmUT.jpg” – example: “Acity(Mustermann)30052000UT.jpg”).
6. Give the text files containing the results the corresponding name, but extension “.txt” and send them to the same address. These files contain:
   • Location
   • Observer’s name
   • geographical position of the location (latitude in degrees (northern latitudes taken as positive), longitude in degrees (east of Greenwich taken as positive))
   • Date and time (dd.mm., hh.mm UT)
   • Pixel coordinaten (xxxx, yyyy) of
     • Saturn
     • Regulus
     • moon

   Please, do not change files written by the program evalmoonpicts! Probably, they should be evaluated automatically.

7. The results will be published as a tabular, such enabling every participant to combine the own results with suitable ones of other observers living far away in order to get an own measure of the distance to the moon.
   Perhaps we will offer the possibility to inscribe the results online in a tabular of the following kind:

   May, 30th, 12.00 UT
   Name	Location	geogr. latitude in degrees	geogr. longitude in degrees	Saturn		Regulus		Moon
   May, 30th, 17.00 UT
   Name	Location	geogr. latitude in degrees	geogr. longitude in degrees	Saturn		Regulus		Moon
   Alicia Mustermann	Acity	52.3	7.2	440	722	1192	508	789	87
   May, 30th, 20.00 UT
   Name	Location	geogr. latitude in degrees	geogr. longitude in degrees	Saturn		Regulus		Moon
   John Smith	Bcity			440	722	1192	508	789	87

8. All of the measured moon’s positions will be put in a reference picture and we hope to get a dense cloud of points!
9. A simplified procedure will be offered enabling the participants themselves to determine the moon’s distance to the earth “by hands”.
10. The program calcmoonsparallax will be offered here for combining arbitrary measures and calculating the resulting moon’s distance. The used algorithm (only in German, up to now) will be published and explained.

Preparation on May, 3^rd, 2009

On May, 3^rd, the moon’s position close to Regulus and Saturn is very similar to that on May, 30^th. But the moon will be about 8.6 days old. It will, therefore, be more than half illuminated. A suitable exposure time will be found more difficultly than on May, 30^th. But, exposure times found on May, 3^rd, will be suitable on May, 30^th, too!

The results and experiences of this preparation date will be published for all participants.

Possible alternative project date: Oktober, 11^th, 2009, 4.00 UT

Moon within the constellation Twins	The earth, seen from the moon

Posted by Derek
Categories: Stargazings & Observations