PAGASA sets activities for Astronomy Week in February

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has lined up activities to mark National Astronomy Week from February 20 to 24.   PAGASA administrator Nathaniel Servando said National Astronomy Week (NAW) is celebrated annually every third week of February by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 130.   “The theme of this year celebration is “Viewing the Sky... Enhancing our Knowledge!” Servando said in a news release on PAGASA’s website.   Among the activities lined up for NAW are:

• Free Planetarium Show
• Stargazing and Telescoping Sessions
• Star Party contest for eight Public and Private School Science Club Members at the PAGASA Observatory (First-come, first-serve basis)
• Distribution of posters in Astronomy to visiting schools at the Planetarium and Astronomical Observatory, free of charge.

  “Stargazing and telescoping sessions will start at 7 p.m. every night at the Astronomical Observatory, UP Compound, Diliman, Quezon City.  The public, especially the students and teachers are invited to the sessions,” Servando said.   Star party contest   Meanwhile, the Star Party Contest for eight public and private high schools will be held from 3 p.m. until dawn Feb. 24 at the PAGASA Astronomical Observatory, University of the Philippines Compound, Diliman, Quezon City.   PAGASA said the contest will be open to high school students, both public and private from Metro Manila.   A maximum of nine contestants can join the contest. They should be students who should be members of their Science Club.   Prizes at stake include P5,000 as first prize, P4,000 as second prize, P3,000 as third prize, and five P2,000 consolation prizes. - VVP, GMA News