UP Astrosoc News

UP Astrosoc holds Applicant's Orientation During Geminids Meteor Shower

2006-12-25T07:39:00.001-08:00

Last December 14, 2006 from 6.00 pm to 12MN, UP Astrosoc's Resource Cluster held the orientation for the incoming applicants for the second semester. It was held at the PAGASA Astronomical Observatory Sundeck during the height of the 2006 Geminids Meteor Shower.

The Resource Cluster and ObSin Cluster made the decision to hold the orientation during the meteor shower to give the potential applicants a taste of the UP Astrosoc life. Around 40 meteors were seen during the 6 hour observation period.

Besides hosting the meteor show, UP Astrosoc members also taught the applicants basic stargazing techniques, teaching them the locations of constellations and named stars. The applicants were also given a taste of binocular astronomy as UP Astrosoc members showed them visible M objects such as M42 and M31 using the org's 7x50 binoculars.

Aside from applicants, UP Astrosoc also entertained several non UP students who came to PAGASA on news of the meteor shower. These included people from grade one student of UPIS all the way to a high school english teacher.

On the net: IMO Geminids 2006 page

UP Astrosoc holds Applicant's Orientation During Geminids Meteor Shower

2006-12-25T07:39:00.000-08:00

Edwin Aguirre and Imelda Joson donate Skywatch 2007 to UP Astrosoc

2006-11-26T10:27:00.000-08:00

From Left to Right: UP Astrosoc Members Carmencita Lumban, Paulo Adaoag, April Muyuela and Chien Palafox and Sky and Telescope Editors Imelda Joson and Edwin Aguirre.

Sky and Telescope Editor Edwin Aguirre and former Sky and Telescope Photo Editor Imelda Joson donated autographed copies of Skywatch 2007 and Sky and Telescope December 2006 to UP Astrosoc. This was after their lecture last November 19, 2006 at the Manila Planetarium which was hosted by the Astronomical League of the Philippines.

Imelda Joson gave an overview on the history of astronomical imaging from daguerrotypes to CCD technology. Edwin Aguirre then gave an insight about working for an astronomy magazine with his talk entitled "Behind the Scenes at Sky and Telescope". Various people attended the event from astronomy enthusiasts to PAGASA officials.

Links: Edwin Aguirre on SkyTonight, Imelda Joson on Meade 4M, Astronomical League of the Philippines

UP Astrosoc Conducts Early Morning Observation of the 2006 Mercury Transit

2006-11-26T10:02:00.000-08:00

Tiny Mercury crosses the sun's disk in this projected view. Sunspot 923 is also visible. On the right is a picture of the setup used with UP NISMED's 8inch refractor.

Early on the morning of November 9, UP Astrosoc members trooped to UP NISMED for an observation of the Mercury Transit. Since the third and fourth contacts occur at 8:08 and 8:10 AM Manila time respectively, UP Astrosoc members had to be rapid in their preparation and observation as there was only a limited time to observe the transit. Sir Jun Obille of UP NISMED's Earth Science department was on hand to assist the UP Astrosoc members.

The organization used UP NISMED's 8 inch refracting telescope mounted on their rooftop dome observatory. Since neither UP Astrosoc nor UP NISMED had any appropriate filters for a telescope of that size, projection onto a screeen was used as the method for viewing the transit. This method was successful in showing Mercury crossing the sun's disk as well as the prominent sunspot 923.

The activity was attended by UP Astrosoc Over-All Coordinator Anthony Urbano, Observation and Instrumentation Head Paulo Adaoag, Genevieve Landong, and Carmencita Lumban.

Links:UP NISMED

UP Astrosoc Member Gives Lecture on Binocular Astronomy in Naga City

2006-11-26T10:01:00.000-08:00

UP Astrosoc in its mission of promoting astronomy in the Philippines, was a part of the recently held Regional Educators Seminar on Space Science Technology last November 07, 2006. The event was held on the Bicol Science and Technology Centrum in Naga City. UP Astrosoc member Genevieve Landong gave a lecture on Binocular Astronomy and gave a short demonstration of using binoculars in astronomy.

The event was a day long seminar organized by the Bicol Science and Technology Centrum. Its participants were public high school science and math teachers. Its objectives were to popularize space education among students, teachers and other astronomy enthusiasts.

UP Astrosoc and UP NISMED team up for World Space Week 2006

2006-11-26T10:00:00.000-08:00

(On the left) UP Astrosoc Over-All Coordinator Anthony Urbano gives a lecture on Binocular Astronomy. At right:April Muyuela and Sir Jun Obille demonstrate how to make water bottle rockets to a group of high school students

UP Astrosoc teamed up yet again with UP NISMED for two activities during the World Space Week celebrations held last October 4-10, 2006.

Last October 6, UP Astrosoc and UP NISMED held a binocular astronomy and moon gazing session at the UP NISMED rooftop. Attendees were treated to a lecture on binocular astronomy. They put their lessons to use immediately in a stargazing session using binoculars to study lunar features. Aside from using binoculars, they also used UP NISMED's 14 inch classical cassegrain mounted in their rooftop observatory.

The following Tuesday, October 10, UP Astrosoc also assisted in UP NISMED's first Water Boosted Rocket Competition. UP Astrosoc members assisted the participating schools in creating their bottle rockets. UP Astrosoc members also served as judges in the ensuing competition.

Both activities were attended by students and teachers from both public and private high schools. This has been the second world Space Week that UP NISMED and UP Astrosoc has worked in close cooperation.