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
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:
- 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
