Brilliant Mars

Mars, the Red planet, is anyone’s interest out there from layman up to a NASA scientist.

But looking thru telescope it is not always giving the satisfying image. This could be, which I believe, almost every single astronomer’s thought out there.

Even myself using my best equipment, an 8” Newtonian Reflector, often feel disappointing with the image though I could go up to x600 of magnification. In a way the magnification normally limited to aperture of the scope. In my case the ideal magnification is x400 but I normally limiting to x240. Yet still it is disappointing looking at Mars.

Well that’s used to be the case.

It is because the planet is just half the diameter of Earth and the fact it is far away from Earth.

But the recent orbital path gives everyone from the Earth looking at Mars at the best. I am surprised for the amount details I could see after 4 days of opposition of Mars which happened on April 08, 2014. The North Pole Ice Cap and traces of its subtle differences in terrain truly amazed me.

 

Mars oppostion on April 08, 2014.

The image shows planet's orbit to ease user's understanding

Astronomers saying we could see the magnificent of Mars for another two of its oppositions which the last one would happen on July 27, 2018.

Unfortunately for this year, this excellent view will only last long till end of this April, 2014 . Then we can see the Mars brightness fading in the sky, as the Earth moving away from the Red planet. After this we need to wait for the next opposition which is on May 22, 2016.

-Veerayen 


The video below recorded on April 12th, 2014 midnight from Sg Kob, Kulim, Kedah.

Night Sky Observation - SJKT Ladang Bukit Mertajam

Venue: School area of SJK(T) Ladang Bukit Mertajam, Kulim

Date: March 22/23, 2014
Presenters: Jivagaran and Veerayen
Target Group: Students (140ppl)
School Program : 15

 

This is our 15th school program.  SJKT BMR welcomes us excitedly.  

The program starts at 8.30pm. Unlike the other programs, we begin with outdoor activity as the sky was clear and Orion Nebula was visible. And for this round, we’ve got helped from Parvathi to manage the crowd as well.

Veerayen gathered about 80 pupils in groups and pointing them thru live view of his DSLR. Meanwhile, I gathered some of them who waiting for their turn and brief about night sky. Nearly about an hour later, we decided to go for indoor activity while waiting for rise of Moon, Saturn and Venus.

 
 The indoor activity were put into a short discussion as the children prefer for outdoor. As such, we get our feet back into nearby field projecting Mars. All participants including teachers and parents benefits for the outdoor session.

 Sadly, we couldn’t point onto Jupiter as clouds moved in. By 11.30pm, the pupils heading to bed.

 We starts again our program at 4.30. The sky is promising. Moon, Saturn and Venus are visible. All standard 4 to 6 including some local undergraduates who held a separate motivation program for year 6 took the viewing opportunity. We were asked a lot of astronomical questions but with our experience, all are answered.

I am happy to see two female security guards participating the event. The have a good luck to witness all 4 planets. However, we are sad that other participants missed Venus viewing but bottom line it is a successful event.

 

Report by
Jivagaran

Some of Event Pictures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Night Sky Observation - SJKT Ganesar, Serdang

Venue: School area of SJK(T) Ganesar, Serdang

Date: March 21/22, 2014
Presenters: Jivagaran and Veerayen
Target Group: Students (45ppl)
School Program : 14

This is our 14th school program. The program was merely participated by 45 students, teachers and parents. We begin our program at 8pm. Unlike the other program, we see an extraordinary enthuasism among the pupil. Their support was a huge motivation for us and we are delighted to run the show.

Veerayen begins with indoor activity before heading for outdoor.  He projected of the Solar Systems slideshows and as well as telescope functionally briefing. 

Soon after that, the fun begins. We started to show Jupiter to them and also the teachers and some parents. Shortly after that, we let the students take the opportunity again and again for viewing as it is easy to manage a small group pupil of interest. We can hear joy, excitement and happiness surrounding us. That boost us more energy to make the day perfect.

Near midnight, we end the first half session to give a break for the participants before proceed again at 4.30pm.  In between, we had QUIZ session for students and that turnout with positive expectation. On the second half, only teachers and students participates. We showed Mars, Moon, Saturn and Venus before end the session at 7am. The astronomy day ends with colors.

 Although we had a long night, we are indeed very happy with our accomplishment. The sky was merely good and cooperative.  Enthusiasts response was a big success for us. We are also glad to hear that the HM are delighted to begins an astronomy booth in the school. We will certainly help to ensure her dream is achieved. We look forward to do more events for the school in near future.


Report by
Jivagaran

Some of Event Pictures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Night Sky Observation for Sasi's Family at Sungai Petani

Venue: Residential Area, Taman Petani Jaya, Sungai Petani
Date: February 22, 2014
Family Program : 1

Successfully Viewed:

February 22
- Jupiter and its 4 major moons and Orion Nebula thru scope

- Orion Constellation

February 23, early morning
- Southern Cross Constellation and Big Dipper asterism

- Saturn and its moon (Titan), Waning Moon and Mars. All thru scope

 

  Sasi is a good friend who has an interest for night sky for a long time. Once he knew about astronomy program, without hesitation he hired us to fulfill his dream together with his family. We had a family event on Saturday 22 Feb, 10.30pm. We drove to SP. It took about half an hour to reach his in-law's house and of course we won't be reaching there on time without his road direction. :)

 

 Once reached, we are delighted to receive a very warm welcoming by Sasi and family. there were seven family members and his other friends. We display out night sky on his front yard. While Veerayen begins the scope setup, I gave away explanation about night sky to the family members. Then Veerayen briefly explained about telescope.

 

 Then the fun begins. Veerayen shows Jupiter thru a 240x magnification. Everyone were so delighted to witness the biggest planet in our Solar System for the very first time in their life. The family also witnessed Orion Nebula and trapezium shaped stars at that region. Veerayen demonstrated how to snap the Nebula and with just 10seconds of exposure time the Nebula looked impressive with colors.

 

  Nearly midnight, though Mars was rose that time, we told them to take a rest while waiting for the Moon ans Saturn rising. Indeed within the waiting time, we were served with a warm tea and biscuits. We also had a good chitchatr with family members particularly about footbal and of course more details about astronomy.

 

  About 1.30am, we started again. We gave opportunity to view Mars. The Red planet is about opposition and we are lucky to see details of the planet include polar ice cap. Then, we showed how to map constellation with star map and also pointing the constellations and asterism in the sky. Glad they see what we see too.

 

  Soon after that, Veerayen projected to Saturn. Of course, everyone like it ! Photos were taken over and over again. When we asked which planets you prefer to see and I think the readers know the answer :) The excitement led to Moon then. The craters were superb during gibbous Moon phase. Most of the family members were happy with the Mon surface details observation.

 

  Besides viewing, Veerayen taught scope projecting technique to Sasi. Unbelievable, he projected the Moon and Saturn in just one attempt. Not to forget his wife, Ranjeetha, who perfectly aligned the Moon thru the eyepiece. Good Job !

 

 We ended the session at 3.3am. We are so happy when the family now understand the night sky into details and we are sure they will look at the night sky everyday.

 

- Jivagaran

 

Pictures that snapped during the night:

 

Orion Nebula: - This is post-processed at very minimal level and the picture is cropped.

 

Moon

 

 

Saturn: - This is stack of 120 frames using RegiStax.

 

 

Saturn video which recorded during the session

 

 

Night Sky Observation at SJKT Nibong Tebal, Pulau Pinang

Venue: School area of SJK(T) Nibong Tebal

Date: February 21&22, 2014
Presenters: Jivagaran and Veerayen
Facilitators: Uma and Vijay
Target Group: Students (100ppl)
School Program : 12

Successfully Viewed:

February 21
- Jupiter and its 4 major moons thru scope

- Orion Constellation

February 22, early morning
- Southern Cross Constellation and Big Dipper asterism

- Saturn and its moon (Titan), Last Quarter Moon, Mars, and Venus. All thru scope

 

      We felt much excitement to conduct our School Program number 12. Without the good thought and hard work by all the school teachers, we wouldn't have made so successful. I must say many many thanks especially to Mdm Mylampah and Mdm Vatsala and of course the rest of teachers, parents and also the school HM Mr Rajarajan.

We impressed with school arrangements for the event. This is definately the finest school that have made the arrangement very well. Apart that, students with school t-shirt, with slogan "Tamizhal Mudiyum" looked very nice and very well disciplined.

Once we completed the theory sessions, then, we had the science officer from JPN, Mdm Asmah for the opening ceremony event. She was very delighted to see the students excitement who were waiting to observe the night sky wonders thru telescope. In her talk she expressed her gratitude for the school management and our team for made this happen for the students. She would like to see the students to become an astronaut in the future. Very visionary woman indeed !

After the opening ceremony, Mdm Asmah observed planet Jupiter and its 4 major moons thru an 8" newtonian scope. She personally liked the view. Later students and teachers take turn to observe Jupiter. We had another scope too, a refractor, to cope with huge number of students.

 

We were seeing some clouds moving in and out. That little obstructed the smoothness of the first observation session.  So we allowed students to take their supper and then we moved to quiz session. The quiz session was very interactive between the team members. There were 8 teams, which each had the planet's name. After the test time ended, we discussed the answers. Group Mars performed very well in answering 19 questions out of 25. We ended the first day session at 1am of Feb 22.

 

After 3.30 hours of sleep, all were woke up for another much anticipated observation session which includes Saturn with its biggest Moon, Titan, Waning Gibbous Moon, Mars, and crescent shaped Venus. Also successfully viewed are Big Dipper and Southern Cross. We ended the session at about 6.40am.

 

Overall it was fantastic event.  We strongly believe the students have received the best out of the program. Also we would like to have yearly basis program to the school. We are eagerly looking forward for the next session .

 

Report by

Veerayen M.

Some of event pictures: 

 

 Group picture with JPN Officer Mdm Asmah and School HM Mr Rajarajan

 

 



School HM thanking Mdm Asmah, together with dedicated school teachers

 

 

 Jivagaran conducting interactive theory session together with Vijay who helping running the slides

 

Observation session.

The Makkal Osai reporter, Mr Murugaiyan seeing Jupiter thru scope

 

Group Mars

 

The quiz session

 

Everyone so focused to answer the questions

 

Questionaire session

 

Quiz Winner - Group Mars

 

Observation session

 

We help you to see :)

 

 

The Happy Faces !!!

 

Star Gazing Night at SJKT Bukit Mertajam

Venue: School Field of SJK(T) Bukit Mertajam

Date: November 12&13, 2013
Facilitator: Veerayen, Jivagaran
Target Group: Students (150ppl) Std 1-6, Teachers + Parents (40ppl)
School Program : 10
Time : 8.30pm - 6am

Successfully Viewed:
- Waxing Gibbous Moon at Magnification x50
- Jupiter and 4 moons at Magnification x150
- Orion Nebula at Magnification x50
- Pleaides/Seven Sisters at Magification x7 (using Binocular 7x50)

I am very glad to know that we have marked our 10th school programs so far. I would like to express my sincere thanks to honorable HeadMistress Mdm. Mahaletchmy. Not forgetting the PIBG Chairman and also the teachers whom on duty on the event day. Without all of them we couldn't make it possible.

The response from the students so overwhelming. For this round students from Std 1, 2, 3 are also joined. They are so excited once I have done the scope setup. For most it was memorable moment looking at Waxing Gibbous Moon at magnification x50. It was simply nice sight. We let the Std1,2,3 students take their turn first as they would fetched by their parents by midnight. But they had good time along with the teachers and parents. Unfortunately western sky was cloudy and we couldn't show the Venus during the day.

Once done with that, we moved our focus to Std4,5,6 students for whom we started with theory session. Jiva explained about Solar Sytem and he made the class was very interactive by letting students come forward and draw the Solar System for themselves. They seemed well known about  Sun and the planetary system.

Then we had quiz to test students knowledge about Astronomy. Total 17 questions were prepared and we divided the students to 10groups. Each group given name starting from Sun till Pluto. Students well cooperated during this session. In fact this was our first attempt preparing quiz for the kids. Yet it seemed to be very effective way to pass the knowledge. Groups Uranus and Neptune were came first as they scored the highest marks. We prepared some candy to give the students to congratulate for quiz completion.

And now the observation (Moon) part came in. We gave first level chances to those scored highest marks and moved to the lower marks. As Jiva had some important work he had to leave by midnight. But some kids keep asking me where was he throughout my presence there till 6am the next morning.

After had Moon viewing very successfull I targeted to Jupiter as the next celestial object for observation. Sky was pretty good around 1.30am. Pleiades and Orion constellation was high in the Zenith meanwhile Jupiter up about 40deg at Eastern sky. Before starting the observation I let students enjoy the night sky . Well they truely did.

After Jupiter viewing session was over we had a rest and begin observation at about 4.20am. Mars was not looking sharp enough in camera's live view and I was needed to withdraw of showing it to the kids, sadly. I was not sure if atmoshpere turbulance causing this or was due to some other reasons.

I ended the session with Orion Nebula viewing . It was nice sight nevertheless. During the session I got to know the school HM and teachers were very much interested to see Saturn. So I promised them to arrange another session particulary for Saturn once the school starts next year. Of course who doesn't want view the Ringed Planet. :)

I am looking forward for another session with the students and teachers in January 2014.

regards
Veerayen M.

Some of Event Pictures:

Moon viewing for Std 1,2,3 students

  

 



 Theory Session (Solar System) for Std 4,5,6 students

 

 

 

Drawing Solar System Model - Let's start with Sun

 

 

Quick response from the kids

 

 

 

I know ! Next is Mercury ..

 

 

 

 

Little explaination before announcing the quiz winners

 

 

 

Price giving together with school HM, Mdm. Mahaletchmy

 

 

 

High scores - Group Uranus and Nepture

 

 

 

Jupiter and Deep Sky viewing after midnight

 

 

 

Star Gazing Night at SJK(T) Perai

Venue: School Field of SJK(T) Perai

Date: October 11&12, 2013
Facilitator: Veerayen, Jivagaran, Vijay
Target Group: Students (100ppl) , Teachers + Parents (30ppl)
School Program : 9

Successfully Viewed:
October 11 (7.45pm-10.30pm)
- Saturn at Magnification x50
- Venus at Magnification x50
- First Quarter Moon at Magnification x50

October 12 (4am-6:30am)
- Jupiter and 4 moons at Magnification x80
- Orion Nebula at Magnification x80
- Pleaides/Seven Sisters at Magification x7 (using Binocular 7x50)
- Mars and it North Pole Ice Cap thru Canon 550d's live view at scope's focal length of 2000mm and also magnified 10times further thru camera
- Myself and few ppl saw a nice bright Meteor/shooting star J

 We are invited to SJK(T) Perai today. This is our 9th school program. I reached at school at 7.10pm and followed by Jiva at 7.20pm. Seeing very clear sky I was quickly setup the scope. As Venus and Moon were visible in the evening, we decided for outdoor activities only. However, it wasn't an easy task. 100 students together with teachers and parents need to benefit from the program.

Before we wanted to start showing Venus, I was looking for Saturn's visibility at western sky though I knew it could be very low due its setting time which was at 8.33pm on that day. Surprisingly Saturn was visible. Wasting no time, we quickly pointed it for teachers and students but not everyone had the chance. The Ring Planet goes low against time. While I was setting the scope for Venus, Jiva made quick brief about telescope function. 15minutes later, we showed Venus and Moon. At this time parents were participated too.

It was really looked like a Star Party. Very huge group and everyone was eargerly waiting for their chances. Luckily Vijay was there to help us coordinating. Couple of hours later, we are done. And now, the school continue for other activities.

We continued the program at 4 am the next morning. Again, it was challenging. We initially struggled with the weather. It wasn't looked well until 4.45am. It was cloudy but luck at our site. We showed Jupiter, Mars and Orion Nebula thru scope. The Seven Sisters/Pleiades also was clearly visible. Teachers and students viewed it thru binocluar . Students are so excited . They don't mind to take long queue for their turn.

We had surprise visit by Mr. Mohan, friend of mine. He joined with his family. We glad to see them getting chances to view those celestial objects for first ever time.

Bottom-line, this was a successful event ! Students benefir utmost from the program.

At last but not the least certainly, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to head master, Mdm. Jacinta. She is very energetic women with higher visions for students. She initiating an idea to start up Astronomy Society at her school. We were very delighted hearing that. Not an easy task to bring up a very new society and challenging part is maintaining it in the long run. But if SJK(T) Perai could make it, it would be a role model to rest of the schools. We hope for their success.

report by
Veerayen M.

Some of event pictures:

First observation session, 7.45pm-10.30pm :-



Introduction to telescope

Deep discussion about space

 

Vijay pointing to heavenly objects

 

Me and Jiva with happy kids

 

Parents didn't miss their chance too

 

Moon viewing

Seconds Observation Session , 4am - 6.30am :-

Long queue - waiting for clouds to clear

 

 

Clouds less sky - observation started

 Looking at Orion Nebula

The most active person in the field - Mdm Jacinta (the school HM)

 

 

Group Picture