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Showing posts from 2011

International Conference on Astrophysics & Cosmology (ICAC), March 19-21, 2012!

Astrophysics and Cosmology Research Group Nepal (ACRG-Nepal) has announced an international conference on Astrophysics and Cosmology in Kathmandu, Nepal during 19-21 march 2012. The registration details are available now available at http://astronepal.webs.com/icac2012.htm According to the organizer, the purpose of this conference is to bring together experienced as well as young scientists who are interested in working actively on various aspects of astrophysics & cosmology, to exchange their research findings and to expose young minds in the field of astrophysics & cosmology from Nepal. The lectures will address major theoretical issues and current observational successes in the field. The lectures will be arranged in such a way that the young researchers will have ample scope of interaction with the speakers who are both nationally and internationally leading experts in their respective field of research. Besides the special invited talks, there will be contributing presenta

Join NASO the TLE celebration in Nepal at NAST on December 10, 2011!

As the second and last of two total lunar eclipses in 2011, the total lunar eclipse occurring on 10 December is posed to enthrall eclipse-enthusiasts from central and eastern Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Alaska and northern Canada. The first total lunar eclipse was observed on 15 June this year. The eclipse’s total phase would last for meager fifty one minutes. Its faint penumbral shadow would begin to cover moon at 17:16 hours local time. The dark umbral phase would touch the moon at 18:30 hours. The moon would enter into totality at 19:51 hours and would arrive at the maximum phase of the greatest eclipse at 20:17 hours. The umbral eclipse magnitude would reach 1.11 at this stage. The totality end at 20:43 hours and the umbral shade would recede from the moon fully at 22:03 hours. The entire eclipse would be finally over at 23:16 hours. On this occasion, Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) in collaboration with Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) would like to organize foll

Join NASO the TLE celebration in Nepal at NAST on December 10, 2011!

As the second and last of two total lunar eclipses in 2011, the total lunar eclipse occurring on 10 December is posed to enthrall eclipse-enthusiasts from central and eastern Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Alaska and northern Canada. The first total lunar eclipse was observed on 15 June this year. The eclipse’s total phase would last for meager fifty one minutes. Its faint penumbral shadow would begin to cover moon at 17:16 hours local time. The dark umbral phase would touch the moon at 18:30 hours. The moon would enter into totality at 19:51 hours and would arrive at the maximum phase of the greatest eclipse at 20:17 hours. The umbral eclipse magnitude would reach 1.11 at this stage. The totality end at 20:43 hours and the umbral shade would recede from the moon fully at 22:03 hours. The entire eclipse would be finally over at 23:16 hours. On this occasion, Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) in collaboration with Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) would like to organize foll

Don't miss the upcoming Total Lunar Eclipse on December 10, 2011

As the second and last of two total lunar eclipses in 2011, the total lunar eclipse occurring on 10 December is posed to enthrall eclipse-enthusiasts from central and eastern Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Alaska and northern Canada. The first total lunar eclipse was observed on 15 June this year. The eclipse’s total phase would last for meager fifty one minutes. Its faint penumbral shadow would begin to cover moon at 17:16 hours local time. The dark umbral phase would touch the moon at 18:30 hours. The moon would enter into totality at 19:51 hours and would arrive at the maximum phase of the greatest eclipse at 20:17 hours. The umbral eclipse magnitude would reach 1.11 at this stage. The totality end at 20:43 hours and the umbral shade would recede from the moon fully at 22:03 hours. The entire eclipse would be finally over at 23:16 hours. How can you do Lunar eclipse observation? They are safe to watch with naked eyes. Unlike solar eclipse, which can only be gazed briefly from any spe

Apply for some great positions at SGAC!

SGAC has opened applications for multiple spots for three important roles to the organisation: Co-Secretary, Web Editor and Reporter on the Communications & Public Relations (PR) Team. These positions are offer challenging, rewarding, and professional skill-building experiences. Be a part of leading and shaping the organisation! Benefits of these positions include meeting and working with young space sector leaders from around the world, having a higher chance of receiving SGAC scholarships to attend conferences around the world,being recognised internationally as part of the organisation's leadership on the SGAC Team webpage,being invited to attend United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space meetings and other conferences as part of the official SGAC delegation,building leadership skills and other skills that are directly translatable to your career For more details and please visit the official website of Space Generation Advisory Council( SGAC)-www.spacegene

Astronomical Tour to Chitwan, Makawanpur and Sarlahi 2011

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October Second week remained busy for us doing astronomy outreach in three different districts, named Chitwan, Makawanpur and Sarlahi of Nepal for astronomical outreach. The team carried it's 8 inch Dobsonian to the places and talked about astronomy and did some observation whenever weather remained cleared! In the evening of October 16, some night sky observation and light pollution estimation has been done from Sauraha, Chitwan. During the observation, we observed Jupiter, Moon and the some of the prominent constellations visible at that time. The night remained partly cloudy and we played Hide and Seek with them for our observation. The next day, October 17, we did some night sky observation from Hotel Avocado, Hetauda where NAAM executives joined from from Birgunj. Though the weather played foul to us, the discussions remained unforgettable. Milan Rai, president-Nepali Association for Astronomical Mission (NAAM) expressed, " I have never thought that I could meet Rishi Sha

International Observe the Moon Night and Draconid Meteor Shower in Nepal!

On October 8, Nepal had two astronomy events. As we were celebrating World Space Week in Nepal ( October 4-10), we also celebrate International Observe the Moon Night 2011( InOMN2011) in various parts of Nepal. This InOMN events were organized in Maitidevi and Lazimpat of Kathmandu valley and Birgunj which is outside the valley. The Draconids were recorded from several places as I guided some of the enthusiastic on how to record them, none of them approached me for the further processing of the data and archive. I observed Draconids from 9:45-11:45 PM and recorded four meteors during the time which is now available in the IMO database( www.imo.net). Through the prediction was ~1-6 meteors per minute, the rate was reduced due to moonlight which was almost full ( Full Moon on Oct 12). The next Meteor Shower is Orionid Meteor Shower which will be visible from October 21-23, 2011. I will be observing during the dates! How about you ???

Space Generation Congress 2011 ( SGC2011) rocks!

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This year, Space Generation Congress (SGC), annual meeting of Space Generation Advisory Council ( SGAC) ( spacegeneration.org) held in Cape Town, South Africa. This was the first time that SGC was held in Africa and also the record number of participants over a past several years!!! The congress provided me a great platform to interact with the people from different parts of the world. ............

In Memoriam: Michael J. Drake!

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Michael J. Drake(1946–2011), Regents’ Professor, Director of the University of Arizona’s (UA) Lunar and Planetary Laboratory (LPL), and head of the Department of Planetary Sciences, died September 21 at The University of Arizona Medical Center–University Campus in Tucson, Arizona. He was 65. Drake, who joined UA in 1973 and headed LPL and the planetary sciences department since 1994, was the principal investigator of the most ambitious UA project to date, OSIRIS-REx, an $800 million mission designed to retrieve a sample of an asteroid and return it to Earth. OSIRIS-REx is due to launch in 2016. Under Drake’s leadership, the LPL grew from a small group of geologists and astronomers into an international powerhouse of research into the solar system. Drake played a key role in a succession of ever more high-profile space projects that garnered international attention for LPL and the university. Those include the Cassini mission to explore Saturn, the Gamma-Ray Spectrometer onboard NASA’

Nepal Tour 2011 (Trekking/cultural/astrophotography)

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Nepal is regarded as a cultural lab as it has 100 plus ethnic groups with their own culture and traditions. There are several festivals that are celebrated in Nepal and Mani Rimbu is one of them which is celebrated in the Himalayan District Solukhumbu, the district which houses the Mt. Everest, world’s highest peak. The most important festival in Tengboche, of Solukhumbu is called the Mani Rimdu. Tengboche is a village at the height of ~4000 meter. As Nepal is celebrated Nepal Tourism Year 2011 (NTY2011) , we have introduced a 14 day tour named Mani Rimdu Festival Tour 2011 Nepal which cost you only 1350 USD per person only (round trip airfare from your country to Kathmandu has not been included in the above price). The festival consists of nine days of ceremonies and meditation (Drupchen). This is concluded by a special blessing ceremony given by Tengboche Rinpoche to the public and the world renowned Mask Dances performed by the monks at Tengboche Monastery.The dates for t

Wonderful Time in Chaing Mai during APRIM2011, july 26-29, 2011!

Total Lunar Eclipse Observation Campaign 2011 in Nepal

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The first Total Lunar Eclipse of 2011 brought great excitement among the amateur astronomers of Nepal.observe this historical eclipse,Nepal Astronomical Society(NASO), Kathmandu and Nepali Association for Astronomical Mission(NAAM) Birgunj,Nepal had organized doouble stationed observation of TLE from Nepal.before, NASO has spread the news among the nepalese through different media. " We have been busy answering the questions from the media as an live on FM radios from different parts of Nepal", said the Rishi Shah,Academician of Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) and President of NASO. We have tried to dissiminate the right information to every corner of Nepal through TVs, Radios and newspaper", explained Mr. Suresh Bhattarai, Secretary of NASO. Through the observation from Kathmandu failed due to rain, Observers at other end had enjoyed the moments. "It was amazing to observe the moon passing deeply in the shadow of the Earth with in hrs,more interestin

Talk on Astronomy and Space Science at Martin Chautari

On May 1, 2011, Nepal Astronomical Society(NASO)in collaboration with Martin Chautari (MC) organized a talk program under the research seminar series of MC as a celebration of Global Astronomy Month (GAM) in Nepal.During the program, Rishi Shah, Academician-Nepal Academy of Science and Technology(NAST); president-Nepal Astronomical Society(NASO) presented a talk on "Promoting Space Science and Astronomy Education in for the Development of Society in Nepal". The talk was followed by short documentaries on Space Science and astronomy. This is the first time that NASO organized an event at recognized discussion forum. Martin Chautari is vary famous for the discussion series on social science. "This is the first that that such a program has been organized as a part of research series at our place", said the Devendra Upreti,co-ordinator of the discussion series at Martin Chautari.

First Human in Space:Yuri Gagarin!

50 years back when Yuri Gagarin orbited our blue planet earth for 108 minutes on April 12,1961 to spread word One World, One Earth. He's the one who were able to see vanishing all the boundries of countries from Space! An space era has been started! Today it's been 50 years since then and we're improvizing our thoughts and innovation for humanity on earth! We're space generation celebrating 50th anniversary of first man in Space:YURI GAGARIN!

NASO at Exhibition 2011

On April 2, NASO put its stall at the exhibition to spread the information of present scenario of Astronomy, Astrophysic and Space Science Education in Nepal.

The Time Mechine: Movie for GAM2011!

Had wonderful time with friends at NASO movie club on April 2, 2011 watching THE TIME MECHINE!

Global Astronomy Month Eve 2011 in Nepal

Had great time with the kids of The Celebration Co-ed School, Jorpati, Kathmandu, Nepal:-)

Celebration of 50th Anniversary of First Man in Space, 2011 in Nepal

Lets help our Japanese friends as much as we can!

Dear valued readers, Here is the appeal from our Japanese friends for the help to those people who have been greatly suffered from the earthquakes/Aftershocks/Tsunami and Damage of nuclear power plant in Fukushima. Lets do our best to help these people, as we believe in one "people, one sky". These disasters took life of hundreds of people so far. Original Request from the Japanese friend, Hiroshi Yamashita Dear my foreign friends, North east area of Japan is still confusing because of afterquake, accident of atomic power, and so on. Influence of them, we hold the planning stoppage of electric power supply. This earthquake and Tsunami took many lives and livings. However, now we start rehabilitation and go back to daily life. We have to save power for the disaster area. On the other hand, we have to keep economic activities as usual. I apologize to send just non-interactive message not so often against messages from my foreign friends. Please, help us by the following actions

Yuri's Night Zero-G Contests Are Open now!

Yuri’s Night has announced their two contests, the “Call to Humanity” Space Exploration Advertisement Competition and Yuri’s Night International Space Sweepstakes. These contests are now officially open and the organizers are accepting entries. $18,000 in space-themed prizes are being offered through these two contests, both of which are completely free to enter. According the press release send by the Brice Russ, Media Team Chair of Youri's Night 2011,The Space Exploration Advertisement Competition will award a 4-day tour of Moscow, Russia, including a microgravity flight in an Ilyushin-76 aircraft, to an artist, designer or creative individual who creates a print ad which best captures the wonder of space and demonstrates the potential to best inspire the public."The winner will be judged by a celebrity panel of space notables, but entries will also be eligible for a fan-voted People’s Choice Award with another exciting set of prizes", he added. The deadline for entries

NIGHT SKY IN MARCH

-By Rishi Shah As darkness descends on earth, the entire night sky comes alive with mesmerizing marvels of our arcane universe. Avid sky-gazers could relish on the splendid spectacle of planets and enjoy the alluring exhibits of stars, galaxies and nebulae that spread all over dark night skies from dusk till dawn. The zodiacal constellations of Pisces (fishes), Aries (ram), Taurus (bull), Gemini (twins), Cancer (crab) and Leo (lion) are unfurling across the heavens from western to eastern horizon. Pentagon-shaped constellation Auriga (charioteer) is dominatingly present in the evening sky almost overhead with its fascinatingly bright star Capella (Brahma Ridaya). It is fairly fourty five light-years away. Kite-resembling Bootes (herdsman) along with petit Canes Venatici (hunting dogs) is ascending the eastern sky. Long constellation Hydra (water serpent) is slithering across southern sky. Circumpolar constellations Cepheus (king), Cassiopeia (queen), Ursa Major (great bear) and Draco (

9th National School on Space Science, Kathmandu,Nepal,March 28-April 3, 2010

B.P. Koirala Memorial Planetarium, Observatory and Science Museum Development Board organizing seven day workshop on space science specially focusing on astronomy and astrophysics during March 28-April 3, 2011 in Kathmandu. The registration deadline is Thursday, March 10, 2011! ( for more info and online form visit http://www.planeta-observatory.gov.np/school9.php?) The topics to be discussed in the school are as follows. 1. 1. Observation (a) Sky map & telescope use. (b) Observational techniques - optical, infrared, radio, x-ray, gamma-ray. 2. Our Neighbourhood (a) Solar system (b) Extra solar planet 3. Stellar Evolution: HR Diagramme, main sequence star, Nuclear Fusion & Fission, Plasma State of Matter - Red Giant, White Dwarf, Brown Dwarf, Neutron Star, Supernova Explosion, Black Hole. 4. Elementary / Astro-Particles: Interaction, classification, symmetry, symmetry breaking, astro-particles. 5. Galaxy: Classification, structure, properties. 6. Large Scale Structu

16th SET Exhibition 2011: A busy day for astronomical outreach in Kathmandu!

Today, I remained extremely busy showing THE SUN to the participants of SET exhibition at my college.Though the programme started officially at 09:30 Hrs, I have already started to show look into the Sun and the spot that has been formed for last couple of days. We had put our project " Promoting Space Science Education and Astronomy in Nepal" for which our team had worked for several week. Though we plan for CCD imaging and live streaming of the Sun in the screen, we could not do that because of heavy crowd since morning. Our team had been composed of M.Sc. physics ( second year) and B.Sc. Physics (third year) to show the possibilities of intra class collaboration for such project in coming days and for greater interaction among the Physics students in the college. Today we had three parallel session, one explanation of the posters and formation or galaxies and role of citizen to discover his/her position in this vast universe! G.D. Pudasaini ( B.Sc.) and Shekhar Phuyal( M.

Grand Design is now available in the Nepalese Market!

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It's a good news to all the readers of Nepal that The book " GRAND DESIGN", written by physicists Stephen Hawking and Leonard Mlodinow ,is available in the major book shops in Nepal. I found the mark price for the book as 960 NRs where you will get 10 % discount on almost on every store :-) The book examines the history of scientific knowledge about the universe. It starts with the Ionian Greeks, who claimed that nature works by laws, and not by the will of the gods. It later presents the work of Nicolaus Copernicus, who advocated the concept that the Earth is not located in the center of the universe. The authors then describe the theory of quantum mechanics using, as an example, the probable movement of an electron around a room. The presentation has been described as easy to understand by some reviewers, but also as sometimes "impenetrable," by others. The central claim of the book is that the theory of quantum mechanics and the theory of relativity together

SECOND NATIONAL SCIENCE EXHIBITION 2011

Students of faculty of science of Tribhuvan University(TU), Kirtipur is organizing Second National Science Exhibition,February 7-11, 2011 at Central Department of Physics, TU, Kirtipur.There will be different projects on science and technology prepared by the students. The visitors will certainly have a greater view towards the development of S&T in Nepal once they visit the Exhibition. Different events are organized everyday from 9 am to 6 pm during the exhibition. This exhibition is supported by Nepal Physical Society (NPS), NAST, Kathmandu University, Ministry of S&T and Media partners. So, don't miss this great opportunity to know what our future scientists are doing in the country!

Night Sky: January 2011

-By Rishi Shah As it darkens the night skies of this month becomes alive with planets, stars and many awesome wonders of our universe. Zodiacal constellations of Aquarius (water bearer), Pisces (fishes), Aires (ram), Taurus (bull), Gemini(twins) and Cancer (crab) are seen unfurling from western to eastern horizon. The Great Square of Peagasus (winged horse) is soaring towards western sky. Constellations Andromeda (chained princess),Perseus(mythological hero) and tiny Triangulum (triangle) are estending towards east from peagasus. Dim constellations Lynx (animal) and Camelopardalis(girafe) are entering the northeastern sky.Lengthy Eridanus(river)and broad Cetus (whale) with imposing variable star Mira(the wonderful) are spreading in southern sky. Mira is moderately 420 light-years away. The charismatic constellation Orion(hunter) with its marvelous stars as Betelgeuse(Ardra) and Rigel is ascending the eastern sky.Obsured heavily behind the intervening curtains of stars and interstellar

Quadrantid Meteor Shower 2011-Nepal

Quadrantid Meteor Shower observation has been conducted during 03:00-06:00 Hrs on Tuesday, January 4, 2011. The rate was quite low as predicted because of light pollution and the faintness of the most of the meteors!The first hour of the observation was in vain as fogs came in to play which continue next hour as well.Most of the meteors recorded only during 05:00-06:00 Hrs in the morning.20 bright meteors have been recorded during last hour of observation. The limiting magnitude for the sky was around 3.85 during the time of observation. As the light pollution has been increasing day by day, NASO has started a special project CALP-Nepal ( campaign Against Light Pollution Nepal) since 2009. We will come back with more observation during Perseid Meteor Shower in August if weather won't play with us! in Last three years, there had been heavy rain during the peak time of the shower!!! Clear skies!