Stargazing sessions and visits

A total of 578 teachers and students from both public and private schools were able to participate in one of the eight overnight stargazing sessions conducted at the NISMED Observatory from 9 January to 20 March 2015. As part of NISMED’s extension program, this activity was facilitated by the members of the High School Earth/Environmental Science (HSES) along with some members of the UP Astronomical Society.

Among the features of the stargazing activity is the opportunity for the students and teachers to view the night-sky with the aid of one of the Philippines’ largest telescopes which is housed at the NISMED Observatory. Using this telescope, the participants were able to view the craters of the moon, the planet Jupiter and its moons, and the beautiful rings of the planet Saturn. Lectures aligned to the K to 12 Earth and Space Science topics such as constellations and comets were also delivered by the facilitators.

A group of pupils viewing the planet Jupiter using the NISMED’s telescope.

At the start of 2015, NISMED catered 65 students and teachers from two schools who visited the observatory. The Learning Tree School Child Growth Center, Quezon City brought a total of 40 students and teachers and spent their early evening (7:00 – 9:00 PM) of January observing the night sky. On the other hand, a total of 25 pupils, teachers, and parents from Albay Central Elementary School, Legaspi City visited and experienced a similar activity on 27 February 2015. For further details and reservations, interested parties may contact Cecile with the following: nismedup@gmail.com; Tel. No.: (02) 9818500 locals 3901-3910 or (02) 928-3545.