Pune will get a new Observatory soon for the Moon-Venus eclipse on 26th Feb

It is not often that one can arrange for a powerful telescope during a meteor shower or eclipses with ease, yet there are several skygazing enthusiasts who would want to witness such celestial events. If you are one such astronomy enthusiast, then you can look forward to a centre coming near the city soon. The K J Educational Institute will be housing has a variety of telescopes, which will allow you to take a peak at skys and planets.

The observatory is making arrangements for a special sky gazing session for the Moon-Venus eclipse on February 26, which is when it will be formally inaugurated. Speaking at a meet, authorities of the institute told dna, "There are very few places where students and researchers get first hand opportunity to use telescopes and similar equipment. With this observatory now coming up, we hope to bridge the gap between astronomy and its ardent lovers."

City-based astronomy enthusiast and co-ordinator for the citizen observatory Mayuresh Prabhune said, " There are many students and sky gazers who are often in a dock due to lack of availability of astronomical instruments and related equipment. This observatory is welcome not just for amateur astronomers but also for school students and other every person who loves astronomy."

The activities that are being planned include research programmes, observation making for prominent celestial events, and helping both graduate and undergraduate students with their final year projects in this area. "The training sessions would include teaching of basics of astronomy, the handling of astronomical instruments, and most importantly making observations during the various celestial occurrances." Prabhune added. He has been at the forefront of training youngsters in and around the city. In the coming months, the observatory procure a Coronado Solar Telescope, which is designed to study the Sun.

The observatory will be formally inaugurated for the general public on February 26. K J Educational Institute along the Kondhwa Saswad Road has set up this unique citizen observatory.

Facilities at the centre:

1. 16-inch Dobsonian Telescope with a visibility up to 14 magnitudes

2. 12-inch reflector telescope

3. 4-inch refractor telescope

4. Radio Telescope

5. Charged Coupled Device (CCD) camera and photometers

6. Self-Guiding Spectrograph

Proposed activities:

1. Study of Sun using Coronado Solar Telescope

2. Special learning sessions for undergraduate and postgraduate students

3. Weekly sky gazing

4. Setting up of Science Film Club, workshops for telescope making, etc

Who can benefit from the observatory?

1. Astronomy lovers can enroll for various activities that the centre offers

2. A nominal participation fee for workshops and sky gazing sessions will be charged