WSW I of II

On celebration of the annual World Space Week, BS Astronomy students together with RTU-Astronomy Society host exhibits and lectures tackling astronomy and space. Held at the Astronomy Center, October 6.

Event started off with a public solar observation to allow students and staff alike to get a glimpse of our very own star, the Sun. It didn’t start off that well due to the weather condition.  After waiting for an hour or so, the clouds parted for the Sun allowing us to view it in all its blazing glory.  

Next was a lecture led by a graduate of BS Astronomy and is now a part-time professor in RTU, Mr. Jerome Felicidario. He talked about about junk, specifically Space Junk and its consequences. If you have watched the movie, Wall-E, notice how Earth is surrounded by a graveyard of satellites? Those are called space junk and we have thousands of de-commissioned satellites orbiting our planet at this moment. 

Moreover, Astronomy students prepared exhibits—ranging from a scaled model of the solar system as well as a model of the International Space Station. There are exhibits as well that makes use of simple physics and maybe a little light-bending; this includes dancing lights, thermodynamic floating cups and glowing cups.

Also, the Manila Planetarium situated a mobile planetarium at Astronomy room two, students was able to see the beauty of the night sky without actually going out. 

-Compañero, Hans Carlo J.

You can see the WSW 2016 pictures on the Official RTU-AstroSoc page on Facebook.

RTU-AstroSoc’s New Officers

Officers taking oath. 

MANDALUYONG CITY— Fourth Year student, Phoebe Pura was held as the new President of the RTU-Astronomy Society after gathering a total of 44 votes—nine votes ahead against her competitor—last August 12 polls.

Completing the new sets of officers are: Ralph Tiburdo, Vice President for Observation and Instrumentation; May Dacula, Vice President for Education and Research; Angelica Busalla, Secretary; Al Santiano, Treasurer; and, Chelsea Paterno, Auditor.

Moreover, year level representatives are: Jathniel Bueno, First Year; Darlene Rodriguez, Second Year; Christian Demegillo, Third Year; Babie Rose Quiniquis, Fourth Year; and, Jhan-Jhan Abel, Fifth Year.

Last August 31, they took oath under the Commission of Student Election (COMSELEC) Chairperson Julie Mae Dela Rosa held in Astronomy Auditorium. Witnessing the event are Heribert Rendon, President of the Supreme Student Council; Jeroh Hiyastro, CEIT Board Member;  Mark Perez, CAHS Board Member; and, Vivian Fundal, COMSELEC, Deputy

Officers with adviser Prof. Ryan Guido

Report by Compañero, Hans Carlo J.

Photos by VG Garrido

Partial Solar Eclipse

Partial Solar Eclipse

March 9, 2016

Time lapse of the Partial Solar Eclipse occurred last March 9, 2016. Set of images were taken at Rizal Technological University, Boni Avenue, Mandaluyong City and approximately aligned. Few clouds were present during the course of imaging that makes the color of the Sun change in some frames.

[Details of the setup]
Orion Atlas EQ-G mount
Canon EOS 550D
ISO 400
1/250s exposure

Partial Solar Eclipse Event

MANDALUYONG CITY—Rizal Technological University-Department of Earth and Space Science (RTU-DESS) spearheaded a public observation for the partial solar eclipse, March 9.

With the help of the DESS’s finest telescopes: H-Alpha, Calium-K and Dobsonian—students, guests and RTU staff were able to observed this astronomical phenomena—which made them amused and astonished.

Also present in event were: Dr. Jesus Rodrigo Torres, RTU President; Ms. Ruby Dela Cruz, DESS Head and guest students from New Era University (NEU).

What is a partial solar eclipse?

Partial Solar Eclipses happen when the Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth, but they don't align in a perfectly straight line. Because of this, the Moon only partially covers the Sun's disc. (Source: www.timeanddate.com)

 For more pictures: RTU Astronomy Society Facebook
The Armillary Publication
Writer: Jerald Barranta
Photographer: Chenel Dominguez

National Astronomy Week

National Astronomy Week

Day 4-5

February 18-19, 2016

Day 4 is an outreach program program for the students of Aguho Elementary School. Another outreach program was held for day 5 at Ricardo Papa Cruz, Sr. Elementary School.

National Astronomy Week

National Astronomy Week

Day 3

February 17, 2016

NAW Day 3: PAGASA Tour

 BS Astronomy Technology (BSAst) students and guests from New Era University (NEU) visited the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Main office, Quezon City, February 17.

            First itinerary was the Science Garden. Students saw where the synoptic observation took place. Also, PAGASA personnel discussed the weather instruments and its use.

Then, a tour in the forecasting building. Students saw the Media section—where severe weather conditions were being announced; Hydro-meteorological section—where dams were monitored, and the Panahon TV set.

Followed by a planetarium show; succeeded by the awarding of the Skyscape contest winners.

            Furthermore, this event was organized by Third Year BSAst students.

 

 for more pictures: RTU Astronomy Society Facebook
The Armillary Publication
Writer: Jerald Barranta
Photographer: Chenel Dominguez

National Astronomy Week

National Astronomy Week

Day 1

February 15, 2016

NAW 2016 Opening

MANDALUYONG CITY—RTU Astronomy Society (RTU-AstroSoc) opened this year’s National Astronomy Week (NAW) with the theme TALA: The Art of Learning Astronomy, February 15.

On her opening remarks, RTU AstroSoc president Ms. Julie Ann Delda, gratefully thanked all the speakers, students and guests who attended this year’s NAW.

Lectures were held by BS Astronomy Technology alumni, namely Mr. Kelvin Martinez (Batch 2012), Mr. Miguel Artificio (Batch 2013) and Mr. Jerome Felicidario (Batch 2015).

Mr. Martinez tackled about Astronomy Misconceptions, here he talked about the common mistakes of people in the field of Astronomy like: astronomy is related to astrology, seasons are due to the earth’s location from the sun and shooting stars are falling stars. Followed by Mr. Artificio, he talked about Telescopes. From its history, types and structures.

Succeeded by Mr. Felicidario, his lecture, entitled A Glimpse of the Big Bang. He discussed the paradigm shift of the understanding of the origin of the universe—from the Physics of Aristotle to the Physics of Einstein.

Moreover, lectures were balanced by fun and exciting games namely: Laser Race, Pass the Alien Message and Cosmic Calendar.

for more pictures: RTU-Astronomy Society Facebook

The Armillary Publication

Writer: Jerald Barranta

Photographer: Chenel Dominguez

Partial Solar Eclipse

PARTIAL SOLAR ECLIPSE

The Rizal Technological University-Department of Earth and Space Sciences and RTU-Astronomy Society will have a solar eclipse observation at RTU Quadrangle at 7am...

First Contact: 7:51am
Maximum: 8:58am

Last Contact: 10:14am

Geminid Meteor Shower 2015

RTU-AstroSoc Geminid Meteor Shower 2015

RTU Astronomy Society spearheaded an overnight observation activity in anticipation of the annual Geminid meteor shower, held at Aguho Elementary School, Tanay, Rizal from the afternoon of December 12 to morning of the 13th.

Participants left RTU past 1pm and traversed urban traffic, long, winding roads through the mountains and walked up and down hilly terrain. They had a stop-over at Regina Rosarii Institute for Contemplation in Asia upon arrival in Barangay Sampaloc, Tanay at 4. Dominican Sisters, stewards of the site, introduced and guided the students and faculty on their circuit around Regina RICA. They trekked afterwards, shuffling along roads and stony paths, to Aguho Elementary School.

Students were briefly oriented and organized in preparation for the hours-long observation. Glowstick bracelets were handed out as a measure of recognition for the organizers. The participants headed for dinner and some rest, while residents from Sitio Aguho had been introduced and invited to observe the night sky through the telescopes that were brought to the site.

Observation proper began at around 8 PM. Meteors appeared sporadically but increased in frequency as the hours ticked to midnight and early, and originated often in Orion. Fireballs have been seen, and meteors shot through the sky in pairs as the night went on. The participants were herded to bed past 2 AM; the sky then being cloudy with a slight drizzle falling to the observers forced the event to a halt.

Moreover, participants left the site at 6 AM and returned to Rizal Technological University at 9.

Writer: Aleandra Rivera

T.A.L.A.

T.A.L.A

The Art of Learning Astronomy

Rizal Technological University-Astronomy Society's (RTU-AstroSoc.) under the Department of Earth and Space Sciences of Rizal Technological University launches the new and fun way of learning astronomy for the public to promote the said field of science in the Philippines with the following objectives:

1. To have an outreach program which will enhance public astronomy awareness.
2. To be able to establish a name that would be easier and remarkable to remember.
3. To exploit astronomy education as a learning process with arts and sciences.
4. To show the beauty of the Universe not only through lectures but also through observation by means of star gazing activities.

Geminid Meteor Shower

Geminid Meteor Shower

 

The RTU Astronomy Society will conduct an overnight observation at AGUHO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, SITIO AGUHO, SAMPALOC, TANAY RIZAL, from 3pm of December 12 to 7am of December 13, 2015.

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

SORP, Armillary Publication and RTU-AMD

Organization and Program under RTU-Astronomy Society and RTU-DESS

Solar Observation and Research Program (SORP)

is a program that means to develop the skills and knowledge of solar observers as well as contribute to science through data gathering, archiving, and distribution. The SORP conducts morphological and statistical studies of the Sun.

official site: http://rtuess.weebly.com/solar-observation-and-research-program.html

The Armillary Publication

is the official publication of the RTU-Astronomy Society and RTU-Department of Earth and Space Sciences. It covers all the astronomy event of the organization and of the department, and also it covers some astronomical events.

RTU-Astronomy and Meteorology Division

The Astronomy and Meteorology Division is a newly formed division of Department of Earth and Space Sciences under the jurisdiction of Rizal Technological University. The division is mandated to give reliable information from their own weather products and/or from DOST-PAGASA forecast bulletins for its parent department and for the safety of its own students during severe weather emergencies. The division is also tasked to nurture students that taking up BS Astronomy Technology who do have specialization on weather and climate.

official site:   https://www.facebook.com/astrometdivision