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

Best Students' Organization

Best Students' Organization

RTU AstroSoc: One of the best students' organization in the Rizal Technological University!

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 2

February 16, 2016

NAW Day 2: Interschool Seminar

Fifth year BS Astronomy Technology (BSAst) students led a seminar for selected schools on the second day of National Astronomy Week 2016 (NAW), held at Sen. Neptali A. Gonzales Academic Hall (SNAGAH), February 16.

                Concurrent lectures for guest students and teachers was the first part. Guest students were instructed by Department of Earth and Space Sciences (DESS) faculty member and BSAst alumna, Ms. Pauline Divinagracia about Observational Astronomy.

While, guest teachers were lectured by Mr. Miguel Artificio and Mr. Jerome Felicidario (Also DESS Faculty members and BSAst alumni) on how Astronomy could be part of teaching Mathematics and Science subjects.

After which, it was followed by a solar observation on the RTU Quadrangle. Then the second half of lectures were helmed by Mr. Gary Andereassen—who talked about Street Astronomy and the Solar System. Followed by former DESS faculty member, Mr. Norman Margiza taught about Basic Astrophotography.

Program was concluded by a night observation, held again at the RTU Quadrangle.

 

 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

RTU Signs a Memorandum of Agreement with the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand

Rizal Technological University and National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand

Signing Ceremony

Most of the world of science is powered by collaborations between different scientific communities. These bonds help with the exchange of ideas and technologies which, in turn, makes scientific research more engaging, innovative and worthwhile.

Such is a vision that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Rizal Technological University and the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) last May 15, 2015.

Dr. Torres (L) and Dr. Soonthornthum (R) Signing the MoU

Dr. Jesus Rodrigo F. Torres, the president of RTU, together with Dr. Edna Aquino, RTU’s Vice President for the Research and Extension Services; Engr. Ricardo N. Nasuli, the Dean of the RTU College of Engineering and Industrial Technology; and the Department Head of the RTU Department of Earth and Space Sciences Dr. Ruby Ann Dela Cruz headed to Thailand last May 13, 2015 for a three-day stay at Chiang Mai Province where both the NARIT and the Thailand National Observatory (TNO) is located.

The 2.4m Primary Mirror of the Thai National Telescope 

Dr. Torres and a Meade LX200-ACF Telescope

The “Meteowrong”—A Replica of a Comet’s Nucleus

Pieces from the Campo del Cielo Meteorite

Dr. Torres and Dr. Boonrucksar Inside the NARIT Workshop

The Mirror Coating Facility

The Mirror Coating Facility

Engr. Nasuli Taking a Look in the Telescope Mirror Coating System

Dr. Torres taking a Look in the Telescope Mirror Coating System

The Thailand National Observatory

TNO Control Room

Dr. Torres and the TNO

The TNO's  Ritchey-Chretien Telescope

The Spectroscope Connected to the 2.4 m Telescope  via Optic Fibers

Afterwards, on May 15, 2015, the MoU Signing Ceremony was held inside the NARIT premises. In the event, Dr. Torres did a concise speech about the past and current astronomy-related events held by RTU. He also discussed the current research and extensions of RTU, together with his future plans for the University.

Dr. Torres Speaking in the MoU Signing Ceremony

The MoU is aimed for collaborative research, training of both teachers and students, curriculum development, as well as for the joint effort in transferring knowledge and awareness in astronomy between NARIT and RTU.

We from the RTU are deeply thankful to Dr. Boonrucksar Soonthornthum and all of the officials of NARIT for having a MoU with us. We are heartily looking forward for the future outcomes brought upon by the new partnership.

Dr. Torres and Dr. Boonrucksar

PUSO for ASTRONOMY (PUSOA) SHAPES ITS CONSTITUTION

Philippine Union of Student Organization for Astronomy

Creation of the constitution of astronomy-based/related student organization network, Philippine Union of Science Organizations for Astronomy (PUSO for Astronomy) was held at Astronomy Auditorium, Rizal Technological University, Mandaluyong City (May 16, 2015).

Student organizations namely: Rizal Technological University Astronomy Society (RTU-ASTROSOC), University of the Philippines Astronomical Society (UP-ASTROSOC), University of the Philippines Los Baños Astronomical Society (UPLB-ASTROSOC), and University of Santo Tomas- Applied Physics Society (UST-APS), discussed each components of the developing network’s constitution. Ms. Kristine Atienza, Outgoing UP-ASTROSOC President moderated the discussion.

Moreover, PUSO for Astronomy is a network created for the communication and collaboration astronomy-based-student organizations throughout the country.

Meanwhile, Other PUSO for Astronomy members are: Mindanao State University-Marawi Astronomy Club, Philippine Normal University Astronomical Society, and Bataan Peninsula State University Astronomical Society.

Furthermore, the next general assembly is set on the end of July 2015.

Writer: Jerald Karl Angelo Barranta
Photographer: 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

National Astronomy Week 2014

NAW2014

Mark all your calendars as we celebrate the NATIONAL ASTRONOMY WEEK with a theme of "Enticing Filipinos through visions of Astronomical Progress".

Feb 19 2014: Free Public Viewing
SOLAR Observation and NIGHT Observation at RTU

Feb 20-22 2014: FIRST ASTRONOMY CONVENTION
for inquiries for the 1st Astronomy Convention
http://rtu.edu.ph/astronomy/index.html

RTU-AstroSoc and DESS links

FB page

TWITTER account

RTU-ESS Website