Solar Observation at Mandaluyong City Hall Grounds

-->

The 5th year BS-Astronomy Technology students under the subject Astronomy Education being advised by Ms. Ruby Dela Cruz, are required to conduct public observations and lectures to increase the knowledge and awareness of the people regarding astronomy. In this observation we were accompanied by Mr. Frank Kelvin Martinez.

We conducted a free public solar observation at Mandaluyong City Hall grounds on the date of February 12, 2013, 12:30 – 1:00pm for the employees and the bystanders there. Most of the participants were employees from the city hall, but we also had people who were just visiting the city hall. There were a total of 30 people who participated in the solar observation. On that day, it was cloudy so we had to limit our stay there. We brought with us the Newtonian 8” reflector telescope and the glass filter. There were a few visible sunspots at that time, but we were hindered by persistent cloud systems and small packets of rain, but still, there were small windows for the sun to shine so the public were still able to observe the sun. We were able to appeal to the crowd because of the fact that it was free and we think it was their first time to see a telescope so the people there were very curious and some even excited to view to the Sun.

-->

Fig. 1 The public using the telescope for the first time to view the Sun

-->

Fig. 2 a mother and her daughter using the Newtonian Reflector Telescope

-->

Fig. 3 5^th year astronomy students entertaining the observers.

-->

Fig. 4 Ms. Lequiron entertaining questions from employees of the City Hall

National Astronomy Week 2013

National Astronomy Week

Solar Max 2013: Discovering the Sun's Awakening Power

Come and discover the true power of our Sun! The Rizal Technological University-Astronomy Society invites you to the celebration of the 20th National Astronomy Week, with the theme: “Solar Max: Discovering the Sun’s Awakening Power. “. Seminars will be conducted and different exhibits will be on display. Stay and watch as some of the brightest students compete in a quiz bowl, poster and essay writing contest. See some of the celestial objects up close during our public observations where we offer the use of different types of telescopes.  Enjoy and learn at the same time!

Schedule of Events:

FEBRUARY 21

Astronomy Seminar 

Exhibits at ground floor of the RND building 10-4PM

FEBRUARY 22

Quiz Bowl, Essay Writing contest, Poster Making Contest at RND-Astronomy Center 9-4PM

Public Observation at RTU 6-9PM

Astronomical League of the Philippines-National Astronomy Week 2013

FEBRUARY 23

Closing of NAW will be held at RTU-RND Blue room 3rd flr 1-6PM

Public Observation at RTU 6:30-10PM

NAW2013 Philippine celebration
PAGASA: PAGASA-NAW

Philippine Astronomical Society: PAS-NAW

Starburst at Laguna State Polytechnic University

Stargazing and Lecture at Laguna State Polytechnic University

The 5th year BS-Astronomy Technology students under the subject Astronomy Education being advised by Ms. Ruby Dela Cruz, were required to conduct a public observation and lectures to increase the knowledge and awareness of the people regarding astronomy. In this observation we were accompanied by Ms. Ruby Dela Cruz, Mr. Ryan Manuel Guido, Mr. Norman Reuel Marigza, and Mr. Frank Kelvin Martinez.

We conducted stargazing and lectures at LSPU on Feb. 13-14, 2013 for the College of Arts and Sciences, especially the BS-Mathematics and Physics Students. RTU has a Memorandum of Agreement with LSPU to conduct a stargazing sessions in their campus. LSPU was celebrating their College of Arts and Sciences week that time so it was the perfect time for RTU Department Earth and Space Science to come there and share the knowledge about astronomy. The group of RTU astronomers were composed of students from 1^st year to 5^th year students. We all have different tasks to do that night. The 5^th year students were tasked to conduct basic astronomy lectures for the students, Mr. Miguel Artificio lectured on constellations, Ms. Pauline Pearl Divinagracia presented the New Solar System and Ms. Ma. Angela Lourdes Lequiron discussed Galaxy Formation. After the lectures we were assigned to watch over different groups of students and lead them to the observation ground and entertain their questions about the night skies as they wait their turn to view the telescope.

This was a very successful event, the students were very happy and they loved the lectures and the telescopes. They were very participative on the activities that night. We really felt we enhanced their knowledge in astronomy.

 Fig. 1 Mr. Reuel Norman Marigza with LSPU students after his lecture regarding astrophotography

 Fig. 2 Ma. Angela Lourdes doing her lecture regarding Galaxy Formation

Fig. 3 Miguel Artificio giving away astronomy freebies to LSPU students

 Fig. 4 Pauline Pearl Divinagracia during her lecture regarding the New Solar System

Fig. 5 Stargazing Session

Solar Observation at Rizal Technological University Quadrangle

-->

The 5th year BS-Astronomy Technology students under the subject Astronomy Education being advised by Ms. Ruby Dela Cruz, are required to conduct public observations and lectures to increase the knowledge and awareness of the people regarding astronomy.

We conducted a free public observation at RTU quadrangle on the date of February 11, 2013 12:15–1:00 pm , for the students and employees of the university. The sun was shining brightly that day. We used a Newtonian 8” reflecting telescope with a glass filter. Overall there were a total of 80 students composed of students from the college of nursing, engineering, education, science and high school who participated in the solar observation. The students asked a lot of question regarding astronomy and about our course BS-AstroTech. We answered their questions as best as we could so we can increase public awareness about astronomy. We also wanted to promote the upcoming National Astronomy Week and we encouraged them to visit our department to view the astronomy exhibits the astro students prepared.

 

-->

Fig. 1 Ma. Angela Lourdes Lequiron entertaining question from RTU students

-->

Fig. 2 Pauline Pearl Divinagracia and Ma. Angela Lourdes Lequiron with Engineering Students

-->

Fig. 3 Nursing students observing the Sun

-->

Fig. 4 Miguel Artificio and Pauline Pearl Divinagracia with RTU High School Students

Starburst in Negros Occidental

As part of the efforts to strengthen the study of space science in our country, the president of Rizal Technological University (RTU), Dr. Jesus Rodrigo F. Torres and presidents of 29 State Universities and Colleges from different part of the country have signed a memorandum of agreement to conduct stargazing and lectures in their campuses. RTU will send a group of people, composed of teachers and students under the department of Earth and Space Sciences to the 29 universities to facilitate the said activities.
   
STARBURST II  Stargazing in Negros Occidental.   

    The series of lectures and stargazing activities in different campuses will be named STARBURST, the brand name was first used in the celebration of the World Space Week (WSW) last October 4-10, 2012. Last January 19-20 and 21-22, 2013. RTU sent a group of teachers teaching in the department of Earth and Space Sciences and a scientist under the Balik Scientist program of DOST to the two State Colleges in Negros Occidental.

STARBURST II was divided into two parts, Part 1 was held at Carlos Hilado Memorial State Colleges (CHMSC) in January 19-20, 2013, the group from RTU was warmly greeted and welcomed by CHMSC officials, the programs for STARBURST II started at exactly 3:30 pm, at the CHMSC AVR and was attended by students from high school department, BSE major in Physical Sciences students, MAED students, high school teachers and science professors of SAS, the first part of the program were lectures delivered by Ruby-Ann B. Dela Cruz, (Introduction to Naked Eye Observations), Dr. Custer Deocaris (Astrobiology), Ryan Manuel Guido (Stars and Constellations) and Reuel Norman Marigza (Astrophotography) and ended with an open forum. Questions from inquisitive students and teachers rained after the lectures. Part 2 was the stargazing at the spacious open ground of the school, excited students and teachers and even some of the school's officials took the opportunity to look at planet Jupiter and its moons, the open cluster Pleiades, the asterisms Hyades in Taurus, Orion's “tatlong Maria” and sword, the Great Orion Nebula and stars like Betelgeuse and Sirius and etc. Many teachers and students were able able to photograph moon using their cellphones and digital camera. Clouds rolling in signaled the end of our observation.

Lectures at CHMSC....

Stargazing at CHMSC...

STARBURST II Part 2 was held at the (Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology) NONESCOST, which was a 3 hour drive from CHMSC. The program started at 3:30 pm at the NONESCOST AVR, students taking up natural science subject and teachers attended the lectures. Teachers from different High Schools went to NONESCOST campus in hopes of seeing the celestial objects through a telescope but the weather did not permit us to set up telescopes, the sky was so black covered with thick rain clouds. The group decided to set up a room to show the celestial objects via Stellarium and Celestia applications. In the morning of January 22, 2013 a telescope with a Baader filter was set up. Students and curious school staff and officials lined up and patiently waited for their turn to see sunspots for the first time. Dr. Renato Sisno, the president of NONESCOST requested the group to conduct another set of lectures for students who were not able to attend the first set of lectures the other day. Dr. Sisno have already made some arrangements for another set of lectures and stargazing activities in their campus on March hoping that they will be able to observe the celestial bodies at night.

Lectures at NONESCOST...