'Star Party', stargazing sessions for PHL National Astronomy Week

The night sky has been a source of wonder and inspiration for millennia. This February, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) hopes to introduce a new generation to marvels of the cosmos as it celebrates National Astronomy Week.

 

National Astronomy Week is held every third week of February. This year, it falls on February 20 until the 24th, with the theme, “Viewing the sky… enhancing our knowledge!”

 

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) will celebrate NAW with several activities, including:

 

 

Reservations for the Planetarium can be made at the PAGASA Central Office on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

Stargazing and telescoping sessions will start at 7:00 o'clock every night at the PAGASA Astronomical Observatory in the University of the Philippines-Diliman campus, Quezon City. The public, especially students and teachers, are invited to the sessions.

 

The Star Party contest with eight high schools competing will be held on February 24, from 3:00 p.m. until dawn at the Observatory.

 

The contest will be open to high school students from public and private high schools in Metro Manila. The maximum number of contestants per group is nine students, who should be members of their Science Club, and one (1) Science Adviser.

 

The object of the contest is to introduce the world of astronomy to young people. “Matututo ang mga bata na maghanap ng objects through the telescope,” says Engineer Dario Dela Cruz, Chief of PAGASA’s Space Science and Astronomy Section. “Makakahubog ito ng kanilang kaisipan.”

 

The contest will begin in the afternoon on February 24, before it gets dark, because the students will be taught how to use the telescope and how to look for cosmic objects such as planets, stars and nebulas.  They will also be given star maps that will help them find the objects, and will be given a tour of a mobile planetarium that will be provided for the event.

 

The contestants will be provided a free dinner by the organizers. They can also camp out all night if they want, if they make their own arrangements.

 

The Star Party contest rules and regulations will be discussed upon registration of the participating schools on February 24. The prizes at stake are P5,000 for the first prize, P4,000 for second prize, P3,000 for third prize, and there will be five consolation prizes of P2,000. Every contestant will also receive a certificate of participation.

 

For further inquiries about the contest and about National Astronomy Week, contact Engr. Dela Cruz at 434-2715 or visit the PAGASA website (pagasa.dost.gov.ph). — TJD, GMA News