JIVRAYS Skyevent: Star Gazing Night in conjunction with Exploring Science Event at SJKT Permatang Tinggi, Simpang Ampat, Penang

Venue: School Field of SJK(T) Permatang Tinggi, Simpang Ampat, Penang.
Date: May 3 and 4, 2013
Target Group: About 110 students of Std 4,5,6.
Presenters: Veerayen, Vijay and Jivagaran
Viewed : Jupiter (very limited view due to clouds and early setting time), Saturn (marks opposition on April 28, 2013, so it is perfect timing), Scorpious Constellation and Waning Crescent Moon.

I am writing this with full of excitement as we have successfully made our first Astronomy Program for this year 2013 to the Permatang Tinggi Tamil School and also it marked our 6th event to Tamil Schools since Feb 2012. Well I must say we are very glad and with greatest gratitude thanking Permatang Tinggi Tamil School management especially Ms. Tamil Selvi and Ms. Jacinta, and of course not forgetting the teachers who helped arranging such event. Thank you foremost !

Permatang Tinggi Tamil School had 'Exploring Science' event on May3 starting evening to their standard 4, 5 and 6 students, reached total 110 in number . One selected group of pupil around 50 were allowed to stay/camp till the next morning while the other were fetched back to home at 12midnight by their parents. We were given chance to have our astronomy program aligning to the event theme Exploring Science.

It was another happy moment where Jivagaran also joined us together this time. We missed him for some time whenever we had such programs before. It was our pleasure to have him back this time.

We started with Jupiter viewing since its setting time was about 9.30pm on the day. We started scope setup (both Reflector and Refractor types) at 7.30pm and let students to take turn to view Jupiter with 3 out of 4 moons are been viewed. Unfortunately, most of the students didn't had chance as clouds quickly moved in despite the reality it was close to western horizon at that time.

Then, after little break, we moved to theory part where this time Vijay started with his presentation on telescope. And after few minutes since I took charge on Solar Sytem presentation, I received very good sign from Vijay and Jiva that sky is clearing. Since students interested, I must say very very interested, to view the Saturn, we quickly moved to outdoor session again which that was about close to 12midnight.
The viewing condition was very good and most of the students and teachers had good chance, probably life time chance, to view the Saturn . And apart the fact that Saturn's ring was wide opened this year, the planet made the opposition on April 28, 2013 which enabled the viewing condition was perfect.

Later at about 5am, we started another outdoor session with the group of pupil who stayed in the school. This time we showed Waning Crescent Moon with viewable condition was fairly fine.

At about 7am on May 4th, we ended our program. We would like again to say thanks to the school management and for those who sponsored for providing token of appreciation to three of us.

We ended the first Astronomy program for this year and it was certainly very good starting program to have more and more in future.

Thank you, SJKT Permatang Tinggi !!!!

Report by
Veerayen
May 9th, 2013.

Event Pictures: