Leonid Meteor Shower

RTU-AstroSoc Leonids 2015

In the observance of the annual Leonid Meteor shower, Rizal Technological University Astronomy Society (RTU-AstroSoc) conducted a lecture series and overnight observation held at RTU Boni Campus, November 16-17.

Program started around 8:00 pm with the opening formalities; then, the monthly organizational meeting led by the RTU-AstroSoc President Ms. Julie Ann Delda and Treasurer Mr. Jason Kalaw.

Followed by series of lectures presented by Astronomy students: Mr. Lanz Lagman, Mr. Joseph Isidro, Mr. John Robert Quinto, Mr. Joe Flores, Ms. Kea Cabigao, Mr. Jianro Fadul, Ms. Phoebe Pura and Ms. Sarrah Amando. They tackled Introduction to Astronomy, Telescope and Telescope Installation, Astronomy Misconceptions and Hoaxes, and Meteor Shower, respectively.

Later, on the night sky observation, students stargazed and waited for meteors.

Writer: Jerald Karl Angelo Barranta
Photographer: Jeroh Hiyastro and Marycon Custodio

Astronomy Seminar: Exoplanets

A Fascinating Talk Delivered 

Mr. Frederick “Bamm” Gabriana conducted a talk last January 19, 2013 about his experiences in Sokendai Asian Winter School in Tokyo, Japan. The talk was held at the Astro-1 room of the Research and Development Building.

The talk started at about 1:30 in the evening, with the room filled with RTU Bachelor of Science in Astronomy Technology students. At first, Mr. Gabriana presented a series of powerpoint presentations which are directly from the instructors of the Sokendai Winter School. The First presentation was about the scholarship offerings of Sokendai (tr. Graduate University for Advanced Studies). As they were encouraged by their instructor in Japan, Mr. Gabriana encouraged the students to take the MEXT scholarship too. The MEXT scholarship of Sokendai is by far the scholarship offer that grants a student a significant amount of allowance than the other offers. All of the students were suddenly enticed to take the scholarship but it is only recommended for 4^th year students. The next presentation afterwards was about the Strategic Exploration of Exoplanets and Disks (SEEDS) with Japan’s Subaru telescope. Various methods of detecting and observing different properties of exoplanets were then discussed such as the Radial-Velocity method, Transiting Method, Gravitational Microlensing and also Direct Imaging.

 To end the discussion, Mr. Gabriana showed the students an amazing infrared image of an exoplanet that they themselves “took” and processed. Mr. Gabriana explained how they processed the image of a star GJ 178 with complex commands just to make the exoplanet GJ 178b visible. This fascinated the students especially those who are fond of astrophotography.

Surely, the students learned a lot from Mr. Gabriana’s talk. The discussion ended at about 4:00 pm.

Written by: Jhan-Curt Fernandez

Astronomy Seminar

New Information and Ideas, Gateway for Public Awareness.

The Rizal Technological University Astronomy Society (RTU-AstroSoc) organized a seminar last November 23, 2012 which was held in the Research and Development Building Research Auditorium with the theme “New Information and Ideas: Gateway for Public Awareness”.

With the whole room jam-packed with guests from other departments, the program was officially started at exactly 1:30 p.m. with the opening remarks by the current RTU-AstroSoc president Mr. John Christian Lequiron. This was then followed by a solemn prayer and the singing of our National Anthem. After the opening remarks, the first person to do his talk was Mr. Richard Aragon.

Mr. Aragon, a current professor in the Rizal Technological University and a graduate from the University of the Philippines- Diliman Campus with the degrees B.S. in Chemistry, M.S. in Chemistry, and Ph.D. in Chemistry, discussed about Chemical Evolution and the Origin of Life. His talk was all about how primeval organic elements present on the planet Earth long time ago formed biomolecules which are the basic building blocks of life. Guests were permitted to ask questions after his talk. Next to do his talk was the RTU-AstroSoc’s very own Mr. Jerome Felicidario with his presentation entitled “Space Junks: A Hindrance in Space Exploration. He elaborately discussed things about space junks- what are they and where did they come from. Solutions on getting rid of these space junks were said too.

After an intermission number, Mr. Reuel Norman Marigza, a graduate from Silliman University, discussed all about astrophotography. Well, almost all people who were enticed in astronomy grew their interest by looking at pictures of astronomical bodies. Proper techniques on taking pictures of celestial objects were explained very well. Mr. Marigza ended his discussion with a quote by Ansel Adams which is “You don’t take pictures, you make it.” He was then followed by an interactive talk by Ms. Rochelle Derilo which was all about light pollution. Her way of discussing was very engaging as well as informative. She first enumerated the different causes of light pollution and its surprising negative physiological and ecological effects. She then gave copies of an operating system with astronomical applications to those who answered and asked her some questions.

Certificates were then given to the presenters and guests at around 5 o’clock in the evening, signifying the end of the seminar.  This was then followed by an observation activity on the RTU quadrangle which lasted until 9 o’clock of the same evening.

Astro

Writer: Mr. Jhan-Curt Fernandez

Photos by: Ms. Fey Albayda and Ms. Margareth Custodio