This year has been declared as International Year of Astronomy by UNESCO. To bring this in our state,TNSF Kancheepuram Dist. conducted statlevel workshop on Astronomy to train the resource persons from the 28 districts of Tamil Nadu at Rettaimangalam village, Uthiramerur Block on 28 - 29 March, 2009.
The local MLA Mr.Sundar, chairman Mr.Thuraivelu, Mr. Ravi, State co-ordinator,Human Rights Organisations participated in the Inauguration and Felicitation functions.
Lectures:
Introduction to IYA2009 : S.Parthasarathy, Scientific Officer, IGCAR, Kalpakkam
Astronomy Vs Astrology : C.Ramalingam, Ex-state Secretary, TNSF
A History of Astronomy : S.Parthasarathy, Scientific Officer, IGCAR, Kalpakkam
Galileo and His Works : Prof.Dr. Murugan, Dept. of Physics, Vivekananda College, Chennai
Videos:
Eyes on the Skies - 400 years of Telescopic Discoveries
Practical Sessions:
NightSky Watch : 28th 6.30pm to 29th 6.30 am
Resource Person : Prof.Dr. Rameshkumar, Jain College, Chennai & EC member, TANASTRO
Telescopic Observtions : S.Parthasarathy, Scientific Officer, IGCAR, Kalpakkam
Day time Astronomy : Finding the directions at the noon, Analema, Sundial etc.
Making Astronomy kits : Mr. Umashankar, TNSF, Erode & Mr. Gavanagan, TNSF, Nagapattianam.
Constellations identified:
Taurus, Orion, Canis Major, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Carvus, Auriga, Great Bear, Centaurus, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Delphinus, Northern and southern crowns, Bootes and Hercules
Stars identified:
Rohini, Thiruvathirai, Posam, punarpoosam, Aayilayam, Magam, Uthiram, Kirthikai, Chitrai, Hastam, Visagam, Anusham, Kettai, Moolam, Thiruvonam, Swathi etc., and Sirius, Canopus, polaris, Rigel, Mizar etc.
Objects seen with Naked Eye:
Milky way and the Galatic Centre, Orion nebula, Eta Carnina nebula, Omega Centauri, Saturn, jupiter, Beehive cluster, Butterfly and Ptolamy clusters, Lagoon and Trifid Nebulae etc.
Objects seen with Telescope (5' Newtonian Reflector) :
All the above plus following deepsky objects:Gemini & Canis Major clusters, M4 and M13 Globular clustres, Sombrero Galaxy.
