Solan, December 4
Shoolini University, in collaboration with the Himachal Pradesh State Council for Science, Technology, and Environment (HIMCOSTE) and the Indian Planetary Society (IPS), Mumbai, organised an engaging Astronomy Workshop and Sun-watching event at the Science Museum, Anandpur, Shogi, Shimla.
The workshop, following a similar session also held at Himachal Pradesh Institute of Public Administration (HIPA), Mashobra, Shimla, was coordinated by Prof. S.S. Chandel, Vice President of IPS, Mumbai, and Director of the Centre of Excellence in Energy Science and Technology at Shoolini University.
The event featured an inspiring session by Sam Gibbs, a renowned astronomy educationist from the UK. Utilising his 80mm Sky-Watcher refractor telescope equipped with a Quark Daystar Hydrogen Alpha filter, Gibbs offered participants a chance to observe remarkable solar phenomena, including large sunspots and filaments. Solar images were captured using an ASI Planetary CCD camera and even smartphones, leaving attendees thrilled by the unique experience.
Students and faculty from Government College, Shimla, participated in the workshop, enjoying the Sun-watching activity and exploring the Science Museum’s exhibits. The museum provided valuable insights into astronomy and broader scientific education, inspiring the next generation of learners.
Delivering the inaugural address, Prof. Ashish Khosla, President of Innovation and Marketing at Shoolini University, underscored the transformative potential of astronomy in sparking young minds to pursue scientific careers. He also unveiled plans for future collaborations with HIMCOSTE, IPS, and international experts to further enhance astronomy education and research initiatives at Shoolini University.
Prof. S.S. Chandel, in his address, traced the history of the Science Museum and the vision behind the upcoming planetarium, he acknowledged the pivotal contributions of Dr. J.J. Rawal, President of IPS and former Director of Nehru Planetarium, Mumbai, in providing technical expertise for the project. Established in 2023, the Science Museum has quickly become a cornerstone for science education in the region, with the planetarium’s opening eagerly anticipated.
