Nalanda College Astronomical Society Official Blog

Helios 2009

Introduction

“Helios” is a Sun Observation camp conducted by Nalanda College Astronomical Society (NCAS) and Ananda Balika Vidyalaya Astronomical Society (ABVAS).Both of these clubs are school based so most of the participants are resent school attendees.

HELIOS 2009

Helios ’09 is the third sun observation camp we held. And because of IYA2009 we planned to do some change in the programme in this year by converting the sun observation camp in to a solar eclipse observation camp.

According to the time schedule first solar eclipse was held on January 26^th at about 1402hr local time in Sri Lanka. We were lucky enough to eyewitness the historical solar eclipse which will not be seen in next 60 years to south East Asia. Weather conditions were bad that particular day for most of the regions in country. This is a short description of the camp and Image gallery of the solar eclipse.

These Following Images are From The Solar Eclipse Observation Camp Held at Nalanda College grounds colombo,Sri Lanka

About 200 students participated this event

But unfortunately bad weather and clouds prevent us to watch the starting of the eclipse.After few minutes luck came on to our side. We were lucky enough to see the eclipse.........

100 HA Program was the Key Program for IYA 2009 and It was held during 2nd of April to 5th of April And This is how we celebrate it in our way

4th of April morning......(Solar Observation Camp)

This was the second day of our program.The solar obvervation camp at Lumbini Vidyalaya,Colombo. The place was generally selected because there was a project called "Summer camp of Books" also a prize winning project of UNESCO.
The place was filled up with younger ones and their parents ,some who seen a telescope for the first time...

and we put some stereo scope images for teach younger ones giving little bit fun...

And this is the crew for this event.....

4th of April evening......(Night Sky Observation Camp)

Night camp for 100HA program was held little bit
out of the Colombo because of bad sky condition in Colombo area.Over 450 participants were participated in this event during the time period of almost 12 hours straight.

we used "Eyes on skys" DVD for fresh starters who are new to telescopes, and constellation mythlogies for younger ones who are interested in stories.

And above all we'd observe the Saturn and Orion nebula and many other objects...

we guide the participants to make a sextant to calculate angles between stars and steller objects.

and allso a water boost rockets....