This Diwali people have more than one reason to celebrate. On 14 November marks 12th Anniversary (Chandrayaan1-MIP) of Indian Flag landing on Moon. As it celebrated as CHILDREN’S DAY across India. After Sunset people can locate three planets Mars (in East), Jupiter, and Saturn (in South West Direction) as non-twinkling Star like objects. As courts have imposed restrictions on crackers. Planetary Society, India requests people to celebrate this year’s Diwali realizing “Dark Sky as Ancient Heritage” as only 10’s among lakhs of stars are visible due to pollution which is a result of blindfolded development activities of humans.
I) Indian Flag Etched Moon Impact Probe (MIP) of Chandrayaan Landed on Moon 14 Nov 2008 – 12th Anniversary – Water Discovery : 14th November is the day when in year 2008 The Moon Impact Probe (MIP) a lunar probe developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) with Indian Flag etched onto it was released by ISRO's Chandrayaan-1 mission on to the surface of moon. The Moon Impact Probe separated from the moon-orbiting Chandrayaan-1 on 14 November 2008 at 20:06 and crash-landed, as planned, into the lunar south pole after a controlled descent. Moon Impact Probe(MIP) struck the Shackleton Crater of Southern pole of Moon at 20:31 on 14 November 2008 thus making India fourth nation among five to land its flag on Moon.
Later in the Year 2009, NASA with its Moon Mineralogy Mapper confirmed the presence of water on the Moon. Even ISRO presented the data of Moon Impact Probe (MIP) and announced the discovery of Water vapor in the Lunar Atmosphere.
Every Year since 2008 Planetary Society of India has been giving call for celebration of this great achievement of India. Unfortunately, not many people still know this fact that the Indian Flag landed on the Moon and celebrate 14 November every year as “Children’s Day”. Hence we request people to join us on Whatsapp 7993482012 or at www.twitter.com/infopsi or www.ournewplanets.info to celebrate 12 Anniversary of Indian Flag landing on Moon.
II) THREE PLANETS TILL YEAR-END – Direction/Time: Further as the courts have imposed restrictions on firecrackers etc.. during this Diwali and other celebrations. People can expect pollution-free Skies and utilize the opportunity to locate Planets.
After Sunset if one looks at East Direction one can see a reddish star-like object. Which is however not twinkling because it is Planet Mars. Further if one looks at South West Direction one can Spot another bright non-twinkling star-like object which is Planet Jupiter. And Just on to the left of Jupiter people can spot Dim Star-like Object which is Planet Saturn. So all in all people can spot Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn for many days to come after Sunset easily till the end of the year 2020.
III) DARK NIGHT SKY – AN ANCIENT HERITAGE: Since time immemorial people have always looked at the skies. Long ago night sky filled with stars was a common thing. However due to climate change, Pollution and various factors we do not see the same sky, the number of Stars that our ancestors used to see long ago. The United Nations recognizes “Dark Night Sky” as an Ancient Heritage. Whereas people normally think only Historical buildings are Ancient Heritage.
In UNISPACE III Declaration of 1999 at Vienna says
“Having in mind that humans have always gazed at the sky with wonder and that
from such was born the curiosity that drove early astronomers to study the
movements of celestial bodies, from which the foundations of modern space
science and technology were laid” .
On the occasion of Diwali which is celebrated as the victory of light over the dark Planetary Society of India requests people to protect dark skies from pollution
particularly light pollution. As Dark Night Sky is an ancient heritage.
Importantly light pollution (for example LED Street Lights) is not only disturbing animals,
wildlife, Birds, etc.. it is badly affecting the circadian rhythm
(popularly known as Body Clock) of humans.
