Soorya Grahan Utsav
Pravin Sabnis
Total solar eclipse at Patna
Introduction
This year, 2009, is the 400th anniversary of the Galileo using the telescope and seeing the mountains on moon, moons of Jupiter and many exiting astronomical facts. This fete of Galileo revolutionized astronomy as well as the way we do science. Historians of science mark this as the birth of modern science. To celebrate this 400th anniversary, UN has declared the year 2009 as the international year of astronomy.
Fortuitously in India, this very same year we will witness a total solar eclipse; on July 22, 2009. It will not be just a simple total solar eclipse. We know that the moon orbits around earth in a elliptical orbit. That means at time it will be nearer to earth and at times further away. When the moon is nearer it will be slightly bigger. This year when the eclipse is taking place moon is at its near point and hence would cover the sun for more than 4 minutes! Usually the totality is only in the order of seconds and at best one minute.
To add sugar to the sweet, the totality will be visible in the central part of India. Cities like Indore, Bhopal, Patna, Varansasi, Siliguri, Dargling, Guwahati are on the path of totality. That is in these places we would be able to see total solar eclipse, but from the rest of India only a partial solar eclipse.
July is a month of clouds and rains. Weather could indeed be a spoil sport. However, astronomers are suggesting, based upon study of past weather records, Patna has the better chance of clear weather. Therefore Patna and near about area is suggested as the suitable place of organized eclipse viewing. At Patna the eclipse will begin at 5:29 am. Totality will commence at 6:24 am and end at 6:28 am. Eclipse will end at 7:29 am. Totality will be little more than 4 minutes.
What is Surya Grahan Utsav?
From the beginning of the civilization humans have pondered who are we, where are we from what is this universe and such profound questions. A natural cosmic event like Total Solar Eclipse would obviously kindle the curiosity and interest amongst the masses, especially the children. Surya Grahan Utsav is a platform for sharing the joy of the rare cosmic event.
About 500/ 1000 people, children, women, science activists will gather at Patna, by 20th July 2009 morning. After registration and such formalities, the participants from outside the state and children from Patna and Bihar would take part in events organized.
What events are proposed?
Variety of events would be organized to cater the needs and taste of various age groups. Special programmes will be there for children, students, women, youth and science activists. There will be stalls hosting various events and the participants could chose to take part in any that interest them. Some of the illustrative events proposed are listed below:-
Shadow play: By constant tracing of the shadow of a pole one can understand the motion of the sun in the sky. In this stall experts would guide the children make observation of the shadows and interpret the results. Such simple activity and hands on based activities would be organized in number of stalls.
Make your own solar observatory: Using a ball and a simple mirror one can make a solar projector. Students would be given the kit and each students would be able to make one for her/him. The cost will be less than Rs 15/-
What do you see on the face of the moon: Various cultures have stories about the dark and light patches seen on the face of the moon. This session would bring to notice of the children that we see only one face fof the moon- near side. We cannot see the far side of the moon from anywhere in Earth!
There will be stalls wherein children would be able to express themselves about eclipse, sun, moon, stars and planets in various forms. In this creativity stall, painting, drawing, songs, poems, skits, solo acts and various form of expressions would be encouraged and children would be able to express themselves.
Performing art stall would be erected wherein through skits and songs ideas of cosmos and cosmic events would be communicated.
Videos on cosmos, planets and so on would be screened in few stalls in various Indian languages including Hindi.
Discussion halls would be earmarked wherein experts would give a series of lectures on astronomy and cosmology. Experts from Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Vigyan Prasar and etc., have agreed to take part. They will give lectures in Hindi and English, thereby permitting access to wider audience.
There will be a library/ reading room. Books in various languages would be collected and kept there for people to sit and read. Cultivation of reading habit is a important factor for promotion of scientific temper.
Sale counter of simple books for children, scientific books, science kits, hands on activity packages and so on would also be part of the festival. Organizations like NBT would be contacted for the same.
A food bazzar is also proposed.
During the night, sky watching sessions would also be arranged. Simulated projection of the sky would be projected in large screen and viewers would be guided.
*** NOTE: some of the workshop / talks / film shows could be free of cost. For workshops for preparation of telescopes/ solar projector etc nominal material cost could be charged to the participants.
On the day of the eclipse
On the day of eclipse, 22 July 2009, a suitable place, with unhindered eastern view would be located and identified. Participants and local people could gather at the identified place and watch the eclipse as it progress. Arrangements for safe viewing of the eclipse- mylar filter screens would be erected. Further solar filters would be available for sale at nominal cost. PA system would be established to guide the viewers from time to time and also to provide scientific inputs.
In addition through internet video conferencing, large screen projection of the progress of eclipse at various other locations/ countries would be arranged. Live feed from Patna would also be available for large screen projection.
After the end of the eclipse that is around 8 am, a series of interactive sessions would be arranged. Number of experts would be available in stalls to interact and clarify the doubts of the participants and children. The festival will end around the noon of 22 July 2009.
What are required?
Suitable location for the Eclipse vieweing. Unhindered eastern view, PA system, arrangement for water, toilets, food stalls etc. Power supply for projection, broadband services for live eclipse projection
anna george
different locations or at least 2. it will be a eyeopener even to so
called post graduates in sci,comm,arts still in the shackles of blind
beleifs!! it will be liberating i think!!