Red Fort, an iconic monument representing the freedom struggle of India, hosted the people of Delhi to get astonished by Sky above. SPACE India collaborated with the National Science Centre, Ministry of Culture and the Nehru Planetarium, New Delhi for the Astro Night Sky Tourism: A Sky Gazing Event.
People were astonished to see the Full Moon through telescopes and enjoyed their Sunday Evening. 12,000 Visitors, including young kids, and even members of iAstronomer club flocked to the venue. General public were shown the mesmerizing sight of the Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars through 200mm Newtonian Reflector telescopes. The Pleiades star cluster presented a dazzling appearance.
“The event organized by National Science Centre, Ministry of Culture, and SPACE India is a wonderful initiative to sow seeds of curiosity and inquisitiveness in the young minds of the city children. Having first-hand experience of watching the moon, planets, their satellites, International Space Station, all in the background of the magnificent Red Fort was a mesmerizing experience. Further, even adults participated in the event and enjoyed the beautifully organized programme” says Mr. Sangeet, Director, of the Department of Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution.
The visitor from the Oort cloud, Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) also hung close to the star Capella and was visible with averted vision through binoculars, however, the same could not be shown to the public, because of its faintness. This comet holds importance as it holds a period of around 50000 years which means that this comet was visible last by Neanderthals during the Upper Paleolithic period on Earth.
“Space is for everybody. it’s not just for a few people in science or math, or for a selected group of astronauts. That’s our new frontier out there, and it’s everybody’s business to know about space” says Christa McAuliffe. This is also a resounding motto of SPACE where we inculcate astronomy and its wonders within the lives of people.
“We are happy to conduct the ‘Astro Night Sky Tourism’ event at one of the oldest and most famous monuments of India in association with SPACE India. The event was highly engaging and exciting for the public gathered at Red Fort who learned about Moon and other celestial bodies through telescopic observations and informative and fun-filled hands-on activities, says Dr. Raj Mehrotra, Senior Curator, National Science Centre” says Dr. Raj Mehrotra, Curator, National Science Centre.
In case you missed the mesmerizing sight, you can join us again to observe the moon and other celestial bodies on 5th and 6th March at Old Fort, New Delhi.
Follow us on social media and stay tuned for more upcoming events!
Apart from observing the celestial bodies, we engaged the public in activities like Comet making. Models of comets were made in front of the visitors in this activity at regular intervals. The activity gave insight that comets are “dirty snowballs”, composed of material from the early solar system in the form of frozen water and gases, simple organic compounds, and dust. Using dry ice and simple household materials, the comet making activity was a big hit with kids and adults alike.
“Space is for everybody. it’s not just for a few people in science or math, or for a selected group of astronauts. That’s our new frontier out there, and it’s everybody’s business to know about space” says Christa McAuliffe. This is also a resounding motto of SPACE where we inculcate astronomy and its wonders within the lives of people.
“We are happy to conduct the ‘Astro Night Sky Tourism’ event at one of the oldest and most famous monuments of India in association with SPACE India. The event was highly engaging and exciting for the public gathered at Red Fort who learned about Moon and other celestial bodies through telescopic observations and informative and fun-filled hands-on activities, says Dr. Raj Mehrotra, Senior Curator, National Science Centre” says Dr. Raj Mehrotra, Curator, National Science Centre.
In case you missed the mesmerizing sight, you can join us again to observe the moon and other celestial bodies on 5th and 6th March at Old Fort, New Delhi.
Follow us on social media and stay tuned for more upcoming events!
