New Delhi

Celebrating celestial science

Nehru Planetarium in the Capital is organising a four-day workshop at the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library from this Friday. Titled “Earth and the Sky, Astrophotography and Image Processing,” it will be inaugurated by Professor Yashpal.

Professor Tushar Prabhu of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore, will deliver the keynote address. “World at Night” director Babak Tafreshi and “Astronomers Without Borders” president Mike Simmons will also participate in the workshop.

The workshop is being held in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore; Aryabhata Research Institute for Observational Sciences, Nainital; Science Popularisation Association of Communicators and Educators; Vigyan Prasar; National Bal Bhavan; and the Amateur Astronomers Association, Delhi.

It will also have a collaboration with the Indian chapter of the U.N. -recognised special project for the International Year of Astronomy — “The World at Night” — and with “Astronomers Without Borders,” an organisational node of the International Year of Astronomy.

Experts will transfer skills in astrophotography to young learners. There will be an attempt to establish partnerships between amateur astronomers and students as well.

The workshop will allow the partnership groups to enjoy engaging with some accessible celestial science and their imaging skills.

It will also seek to create awareness about concerns related to light pollution issues through the “Taare Sadak Par” programme. A musical evening and a “nukkad natak” reflecting this concern will be held at the Teen Murti House lawns on Sunday. One session will be held at the National Bal Bhavan on Saturday.

Madhur Tankha

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