Tamang festival… -1

Stargazing with Tamang Kids …

Neta Jee – a local political leader…

A monk from Thulo Bharkhu …

Dhunche Bazaar – capital of Tamshaling

Rasuwa- Land of the Tamangs …

Cultural approach to stargazing…….Tihar fest..

Learning How to handle the scope …

Taking Astronomy to the Kids of Nepal…..

Public interest on Astronomy in Nepal reached unprecedented heights in 2003-4 due to important space events, namely oppositions of planets Mars (August 27, 2003) and Saturn (Dec 31, 2003) and Transit of Venus (June 8, 2004). Over the past year, Saturn came closer to Earth in 29 years and Mars in 60,000 years. These events were widely covered by Media in this country. On these occasions, amateur astronomy groups of the country organized public observation of these events with the help of telescopes. However, these initiatives were not able to satisfy the demand from the public to observe these planets, which was indicated by the difficulty in managing the crowds that gathered to see these planets through telescopes. Therefore time has come for Nepali Scientists, Astronomers, donors and government policy makers to think ways of mobilizing public interest in astronomy for the development of science and technology. This article elaborates the importance of astronomy for Nepal and ways to further develop the exploration of outer space to improve the quality of life of people in this country.

 

Modern Astronomy dates back to 1610 AD, when Italian Astronomer, Galileo, invented Telescope. Galileo directed his newly constructed instrument towards planet Jupiter and as a result, four prominent satellites or moons of the planet were discovered. This discovery led to the breakthrough in scientific thinking by establishing that Earth was not the center of Universe, but a mere planet, revolving around the Sun. This was a turning point in European Scientific thinking, which revolutionized science and technology (the so-called Renaissance). From this very date, the European civilization left all the rest of the civilizations behind in terms of progress and development. The story of Galileo suggests that knowledge of Astronomy can be a crucial factor to change social consciousness and accelerate development. Astronomy is the science, which allows the practical application of other branches of sciences. Our children study science in schools and colleges but this has mostly become a ritual of learning by heart, without any link to practicing the discipline.

 

Astronomers worldwide believe that Nepal is one of the best places in the World for astronomical Observations. We have no problem of light pollution and the sky remains clear for most of the year. We have thousands of mountains that are above 3000-m altitude, perfectly suitable to set up Observatories. In spite of all these natural gifts, we have not been able to use it for development of astronomical science. Even 400 years after the invention of the telescope, amateur telescopes are not available in our shops, not to speak of Magazines and journals on astronomy. This has seriously hindered the development of astronomy in this country. Therefore, Astronomers in Nepal need to focus their efforts not only on Star Observation, but also on advocating the importance of astronomy with Government, and also raise public awareness on the importance of space exploration.

 

There seems to be very little awareness on the importance of space exploration in Nepal. In today’s world of globalization, it is an undisputed fact that those countries that dominate the outer space will also dominate the earth. The world is becoming smaller and smaller due to the use of outer space. In today’s world, Telephones, Television, Internet, weather forecasting and geological/natural resource explorations etc depend on satellites that orbit the earth in outer space. Hence taking into account the importance of space exploration, the government recently established “BP Koirala Planetarium, Observatory and Science Museum Development Board” under the Ministry of Science and Technology. The Ministry is engaged in organizing a few orientations training each year in Kathmandu and has repeatedly turned down requests to conduct these training outside the Kathmandu valley. More importantly, the Ministry has so far not become able to give a Vision towards exploration of outer space and promote collaboration between government and civil society initiatives in the country.

 

It is a rather embarrassing fact that even after 4 centuries of invention of telescope, these instruments for space exploration are not available in Nepal. So the first task of the government should be to ensure that telescopes are available in Nepali Markets. For this, the government should waive customs tariff for importing telescopes. Astronomy should be included in School and College curricula as a separate subject and science teachers should be provided with necessary training and resource materials and publications. The government should also encourage international space agencies who wish to establish Observatories in Nepal that will help develop our human resources in this field. And most importantly, our policy makers need to provide a vision and action plan for development of astronomy and seek collaboration from civil society initiatives engaged in this field. We should not forget that on some future date, humans from Earth might walk the sands of Mars and the ices of Europa (moon of Jupiter, believed to have simple life forms). In fact, one of these future explorers might be a child living in Nepal  right now, and dreaming of things to come. The efforts of scientists, Astronomers and Policy Makers should be directed to foster, nourish, and cherish those dreams, so that our children can explore the Universe and change life on Earth.

Tihar rocks… in Kathmandu… festival of lights..

Learning the art of stargazing … an incredible journey to the stars…

Tihar festival Jupiter star party 27/10/2008

Taking astronomy to the Kids of Nepal….

Tihar Star Party – 1

Deusi Team…

Deusi welcome….

Lahure…

Madal Drummers…

Dancing in Deusi…

Nepali Roti for Deusi…