RING OF FIRE from varkala, kerala, india

Monday, November 30, 2009

Information about ASE 2010 for schools in south india

The largest Annular eclipse of this millennium is happening on 15th Jan 2010.This eclipse is one of the rarest eclipses which starts in Africa and passes over India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh before ending in China. The photosphere of the sun shall be covered by the moon forming a ring of fire in the sky for more than 10 minutes in some parts of India. The path of the annularity in India is passing over the state of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Mizoram while the partial phase of eclipse is visible all over the country.
SPACE, a scientific organisation working in the field of space sciences and astronomy education and popularization, is orchestrating an International collaborative eclipse watch on 15th of Jan, 2010. We invite schools and institutes in India and the other countries mentioned above to join hands in this one of the largest scientific international event.
SPACE shall select and collaborate with 20 schools in each of the 3 states falling in the annularity region in India on first cum first serve basis. The schools have to fulfill the prerequisite requirements mentioned below. .Each participant institution is expected to make a Eclipse task Group (ETG) comprising of 10 students and 1 teacher/ educator. The ETG shall be entrusted to organise public watches in their school, take observations of the assigned experiments, and do eclipse photography under the guidance of SPACE astronomers and Panel scientists. The experimental procedure, processes, Public watch organisation and Photographic training shall be provided by SPACE astronomers and scientist through the internet web conferencing and the astronomer shall physiaclly visit and train the ETG in the areas with technological Limitation  if reqiured, whichever the case may be. Since this eclipse is becoming very popular and is visible over a large population it becomes important that people are trained to watch this eclipse safely under guidance. Unsafe viewing of the sun can cause damage to our eyes. The public observations organised by you shall be a huge scientific contribution to society. All the members and related institutes of ETG’s shall receive a certificate from SPACE.

The Main objectives of the Collaborative eclipse observation are:
To collect a large sample of scientific data in the annularity region of eclipse all over the world.
To provide a collaborative platform to increase the involvement of students and teacher fraternity in general scientific contribution to the society
To organise large number of Public watches during the eclipse to involve masses in the safe eclipse observation.
To provide the opportunity of real time participation in a scientific experimentation and to propagate learning of science through hands on experience.
To create an international platform for collaborative projects and experiments at intermediate level.
To stimulate international student scientific cooperation and scientific exchange.
To spread scientific temperament and break myths and misconceptions associated with eclipses.

What is expected from You.
1. Constitution of Eclipse task Group comprising of
10 students (class 8th and above) and 1 teacher (computers, science, geography)
2. High speed Internet connection.
3. Availability of open ground to hold public watch
4. Public address system and other general requirements
5. One Handy Cam.
6. One SLR camera.
7. 2 laptops.
8. Webcam
9. Trained technical help who can connect to web-conference.
10. Popularization of event locally.
11. Printer.
12. Local mail dispatches etc.
13. Electricity connections.
14. Other incidental petty requirements if any

What will be provided by SPACE.
1. All technical training and related documents.
2. Filters etc and kits.
3. Media management (Press releases, articles etc.)
4. Website management
5. Experiment procedures etc.
6. Web conferencing platform
7. Visits of Astronomer and Scientists if required.
8. Local technical support if required.
9. Filling of reports
10. Observation sheets and logs.
11. Software required
12. International collaboration and connectivity
13. Management and coordination of overall event.

SPACE had organised the eclipse watch at “Taregana” in Bihar on June 22nd 2009 under its project “Grahan -2009”. More than 80 thousand people participated in public observation of the Total solar Eclipse which is a record in itself. The event was highlighted in the press in India and abroad.The Chief Minister of Bihar Mr. Nitish Kumar generously praised the effort of SPACE and participated in the event.
This eclipse being one of longest annular eclipse is becoming even more popular among scientific circle. The media is already reffering it as the “Pongal Eclipse”. Anticipating a huge participation of public in this eclipse SPACE is also working towards organizing “Eclipse Mela- The Ring of Fire 2010”in Kerala and Tamil Nadu on the day of eclipse with the help of state government bodies. The Mela shall intend to involve masses in the astronomical events and create a culture of enjoying such events rather than getting afraid and disassociated due to Myths and Misconceptions. The teacher, students and schools/institutes can volunteer and collaborate in organizing this event separately.