Astronomy for Everyone

                                        Astronomy for Everyone                                         

Dr. V. Anand, B.Sc., M.D.S.

Astronomy is a fascinating hobby for all people. It is a theoretical, practical, observational, personal, educational, experimental and inspirational science.                                                                                                                         

We live on a pale blue dot, in an immense universe. Who can't be interested in the mysteries of the Universe? Who can't be interested to find out what nature is. What creation is? Why we exist? What and who are we?                                                                              

                                               

Astronomy is a good hobby for younger generation. It triggers imagination in the minds of young people and makes them ask questions on the nature of the Universe, which may one day end up with fundamental discoveries. Many a great name is associated with modest beginning says George Ellery Hale.

India has produced great astronomers and mathematicians like Yajnavalkya, Aryabhatta, Brahmagupta, Bhaskara I & II and many more. Much later Mādhava, Neelakhanda Somayaji.  Sir CV Raman’s nephew Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar was awarded the Nobel Prize for his discovery in astrophysics. There are many more professionals and amateurs who have contributed much in recent times too.

The astronomy school programme involves an indoor lecture presentation on all aspects of astronomy and on how to go about learning star constellation patterns and find planets and comets and many more.

In the evening between 6 and 8 pm there will be an outdoor lecture demonstration in the open field or terrace, on how to go about learning the night sky. Identifying Constellation patterns through the unaided eye. Planet observation and observation of the Moon through the telescope.

                                                                  Lunar Observations.

Sketch of planet Saturn through a small telescope.

I have conducted, presented and participated in many school and college astronomy programmes since 1989.  I cite a few:-

Schools:

Sankara School Pallavaram, Adyar.

The Hindu High School, Triplicane and Adyar, The Vidhya Matriculation School, Medavakkam, The MPUHS School, Sowcarpet and other schools. I have also conducted a week long workshop on Observational Astronomy at the TVS Iyengar School at Madurai, and have conducted a one day seminar in a school near Pune, Maharashtra.

    Pune, Maharashtra

Colleges: Lecture presentations at, Loyola College, Anna University, and NIT Trichirapalli and IIT Chennai. Have conducted a lecture programme at the Vivekananda College too.

I have also participated in astronomy educational and awareness programmes including all night observation camps called popularly as ‘Star parties’ at suburban places away from city lights.

  

Events at the Chennai Planetarium.

Lunar Eclipse event, and also during planet Venus Transit across the solar disc.

I have also observed planet Mercury’s grazing transit across the solar disc, and the much talked about Leonid Meteor Shower observations.

Partial Solar Eclipse event.

Total Solar Eclipse Expedition: I have observed the 1995 eclipse from Uttar Pradesh and also had been to Gujarat in 1999.

"Diamond Ring Effect" 

- Just before totality

Mid Totality

 "Diamond Ring Effect" 

- After totality

I have observed several comets since 1989. Some of them have been mentioned in my blog spot.

http://astrodentist70.blogspot.in/2017/02/hunting-my-experiences-dr-v-anand-comet.html

I have also attended :-

Ø  Advanced Course on Astronomy, Chennai Planetarium in 1989,

Ø  Have been a participant in ‘500 years of Tantrasangraha’, at the Theoretical Physics dept., AC College, Guindy campus, Madras University.

Ø  AIAAM - All India Amateur Astronomers Meet, Chennai.

Ø  NATCAPS – National Conference on Astronomy and Planetarium Science, at Chennai.

  I was associated for almost a decade with the late Mr. Harry Miller, MBE, AIBPP, ARPS, FZS., who worked for the 'Hindu' as well as the 'Indian Express newspapers'.

I also had the good fortune and blessings of the late all rounder amateur astronomer Swami Rakhal Chandra Maharaj (Bengal) who encouraged me to practice and live with astronomy and religio philosophy as a part of my life.

With the late Professor P Devadas, FRAS, of Devadas Observatory, 

telescope maker and publisher, Guindy Chennai.

With my 125 mm Newtonian Reflector telescope

Founder member:

Tamilnadu Astronomy Association (331-1989),

C/o. B.M. Birla Planetarium, Chennai.

For Details Contact :-

Email

astrodentist@gmail.com

My Blog Spot

<astrodentist70.blogspot.in>

Fb name

Anand Venkatakrishnan

Fb group name

Amateur Astronomy

Contact no

8056176954

9884316562