Dear Readers
Here is the first post of the new year. You may ask at 10.p.m. IST (When i am writing this article) Why do I Wish you 2 hours ahead ?
Anyways I am happy to begin the new year with a scientific discussion.
so coming to point when the clocks in India read 16:30 p.m today in india according to Indian Standard Time the clocks in Auckland (New Zealand) ticked in to new year and said it is Saturday, 1 January 2011, 00:00:00
in other words
New Delhi (India - Delhi) Friday, 31 December 2010, 16:30:00 UTC+5:30 hours IST is equal to
Auckland (New Zealand) Saturday, 1 January 2011, 00:00:00 UTC+13 hours NZDT
That means Earth entered the new year on our time scale at 4.30 p.m in indian standard time.
Why ?
This is because Auckland (Newland) is one of the cities which is on the west of the International Date Line
Republic of Kiribati to see first Sun Rise of 2011 and Gisborne :
However Gisborne is 496.3 kilometres (308.4 mi) west of the International Date Line and thus is the first major city to see the beginning of the new year, however it is Kiritimati, Republic of Kiribati that is the first "city" in the world to see the first sun rise for the year.
A story Different - Inspiration : Lesson of Goal Setting and Determination !
Many of you often make lots of Resolutions of new year. Also we do set goals in our life. At this breif moment i would like to stop you to think for a moment.
If you can personify Planet Earth and assume it would set a Resolution for year 2011. What would be it Resolution ?
RESOLUTION OF EARTH : TO GO AROUND SUN IN ANOTHER 365.256363004 days. For this It has to rotate on its axis 23h 56m 4 also take care of its tilt its orbit.To do this it will not wait or postpone to implement.
so i wish if we can really learn Goal Setting, Determination from Planet Earth during course of its journey around sun and day to day life.
Space Simulator Project 2010
Dear parents and schools who have seen our release today in various news papers kindly mail us the details to planetarysociety.india@gmail.com
1. For Individual(Name, School, Residential Address, Phone)
2. For Schools (School Name,Principal Name, In charge Teacher , School Phone, Fax if available)
Below is the Video of 2010 Jan Project in Telugu
Details of the Project : Its a International Outreach Project involving students where we like to show student can contribute to the world. And their work will impact/inspire and create awareness among students in India & World wide.
Various Stages of the Project:
1. Training Programme (to be completed before 30 December 2010)
2. Simulating conditions of Eclipse & recording the same by students.
3. Publishing of the Data and Work recorded by students online.
4. Conveying the work of students to various countries across the world.
So schools should nominate the students for the project assuring participation of students in all the above stages of project.
Participation Fee: though this is expected to bit high is being still being worked out.
1. For Individual(Name, School, Residential Address, Phone)
2. For Schools (School Name,Principal Name, In charge Teacher , School Phone, Fax if available)
Below is the Video of 2010 Jan Project in Telugu
Details of the Project : Its a International Outreach Project involving students where we like to show student can contribute to the world. And their work will impact/inspire and create awareness among students in India & World wide.
Various Stages of the Project:
1. Training Programme (to be completed before 30 December 2010)
2. Simulating conditions of Eclipse & recording the same by students.
3. Publishing of the Data and Work recorded by students online.
4. Conveying the work of students to various countries across the world.
So schools should nominate the students for the project assuring participation of students in all the above stages of project.
Participation Fee: though this is expected to bit high is being still being worked out.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
For Interested individuals we kindly request you to bring the info about this project (with newsapers clip dt.19th Dec, 2010 published in Hindu & Times of India both Pg.4 & video on this site) for kind reference of the school management. Or Ask them to visit www.tinyurl.com/eclipse4jan (driect link to this article)
Total Lunar Eclipse on 21 December 2010 - Not Visible In India - Timings
TWO CELESTIAL EVENTS ON 21 DECEMBER
(Total Lunar Eclipse – Not Visible In India & Winter Solstice - Shortest Day of the year)
On 21st December 2010 last eclipse of the year which is Total Lunar Eclipse would occur. The eclipse will be visible in the region covering Europe, West Africa, the Americas, the Pacific Ocean, eastern Australia, the Philippines and eastern and northern Asia. Whereas this eclipse is not visible in India.
TIMINGS As Per Indian Standard Time (IST): Broadly speaking the Eclipse begins at 10.58 a.m. IST passing through various phases and ends at 4. 36 p.m. IST.
However the Umbral phase is generally considered as actual eclipse for various ceremonies by general public. i.e. Moon enters the Umbra (dark part of earth shadow ) at 12.02 p.m IST and leaves umbra at 3.32 p.m IST. Importantly Moon enters totality phase at 1.10 p.m noon and ends at 2.24 p.m.
Next Eclipse: The next Eclipse which is Partial Solar Eclipse will occur on 4th January 2011 and would be visible in few northern states of India whereas rest of the country cannot see this eclipse. Importantly the next Lunar Eclipse visible from India would occur on 15 June 2011 which is Total Lunar Eclipse.
Winter Solstice – Shortest Day Longest Night: another event Winter Solstice will occur on 21st Dec, 2010 (11:38p.m UTC) due to which people (in northern hemisphere countries) can experience the day to be short and night to be longest. This occurs because Earth’s axial tilt (on 21 Dec 2010) is farthest away from the sun.
Explanation/Notes :
Brief about Lunar Eclipse: A Lunar Eclipse occurs when earth in course of its orbit around sun, comes between moon and sun such a way that moon his hidden in the shadow cast by earth. This can occur only when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned in a straight line, Hence lunar eclipse occurs only when there is full moon.
Penumbra (pratchaya) and Umbra (chaya) : Earth’s shadow has two parts Penumbra (outer lighter part) and Umbra (darker part). All Lunar Eclipse begin with moon first entering penumbra at one end passing through umbral phase and ending with leaving the penumbra on other end. Generally only the Umbral phase (Beginning & Ending) is commonly considered as actual eclipse by general public to follow various rituals and traditions leaving Penumbra passage of moon.
Earth Tilted on its Axis: The Earth during course of its journey around sun rotates on its axis with a tilt of about 23.4°. This phenomenon is the main cause which regulates seasons on earth. Importantly the hemisphere which currently tilted toward the Sun experiences more hours of sunlight each day and the hemisphere facing away from sun will receive less hours of sunlight.
Geminid Meteor Shower 2010
Away from city lights from 7th December, 2010 to 17th December, 2010 people can witness annual celestial spectacle of Geminid Meteor Showers (ulka patham in Telugu/उल्का स्नान) from pollution free dark clear skies.
As per the International Meteor Organization (IMO) based on two decades of observation data peak is expected from 12:10 a.m. IST on Dec 14 (i.e.18.40 hrs UTC on 13 Dec) to 9:30 p.m IST on Dec 14 (i.e. 16.00 hrs UTC).
Where to Look/What to expect– No Telescopes Required - Twin Stars of Gemini Const: Though meteor shower is at peak up to 14th Dec at 9.30 pm. Depending on observers location and skies above, many tens of meteors per hour will be visible with highest rates reaching up to a max of 120 ZHR (Meteors Per Hour) as per IMO.
Where to Look: After midnight observers have to look above their head to observe bright streaks of light zipping across the skies. The best time to look above head will be around 1 a.m. when crescent moon sets and the radiant reaches its highest altitude in the sky.
Sky at 9.30 p.m. : Click on image to see larger picture
Telescopes/binoculars are not required. One can see bright streaks of light zipping across the sky with naked eye and would seem as if they are emanating from star called castor from Gemini constellation where the radiant of this meteor shower lies.
Sky at 5.30 a.m. : Click on image to see larger picture
Observation from 14 to 17 Dec During Midnight, Evening/Morning - Follow Twin Stars of Gemini: Though peak is on 14th Dec. People can witness this celestial spectacle until 17th of Dec. All one has to do is to spot Twin Stars of Gemini constellation. Evening: People can observe the meteors by looking towards sky above between North East and East Direction from 10.00 p.m onwards, while they are visible near to mid of sky by the time it is midnight whereas Morning walkers can see meteors in the western sky in the morning.
Here is the Animation of Geminid as it would appear in the sky :
However Moon light being a hindrance to observe the streaks of light produced during the shower, people should wait till the moon sets for splendid view from clear dark skies.
LIVE NASA VIDEO CONFERENCE ON 7th December 2010
The Video conference will be available from 10.30PM. LIVE from NASA JPL STUDIO'S.
Update at 10.45 p.m. : Freinds thanks for visiting our website for Videoconference. As of now even we are anxious why the Video Conference is delayed.
I am going to contact the authorities and will get back to you in 10 min. Thanks
Update at 11.20 p.m: As per information videoconference is delayed for 1 hour. And will start at 11.30 p.m.
What is Cassini-Huygens Mission ?
Cassini–Huygens is a joint NASA/ESA/ASI robotic spacecraft mission currently studying the planet Saturn and its moons. It was launched on October 15, 1997 and entered into orbit around Saturn on July 1, 2004. It is the first spacecraft to orbit Saturn and the fourth to visit Saturn.
What is NASA Cassini Scientist for a Day Activity ?
Being organized worldwide - is an opportunity for students in grades 5- 7 and 8-10 to learn about Saturn and the Cassini - Huygens mission and participate through scientific report (in essay format) as student mission scientist. Selected winner would be called “NASA’S Cassini Scientist For a Day” India and would win a opportunity to interact with scientists of NASA.
2009 Edition Winners from India – Designated as “Cassini Scientist For a Day (CSFAD)” by US Consulate Office, Hyderabad on behalf of NASA – were Invited for the Videoconference to ask questions in the Video Conference on 7th Dec: As part of 2009 CSFAD Eleven students from India were selected who were on 25th Feb, 2010 designated as “Cassini Scientist for a Day” by Pamela Pointus representing US Consulate Office, Hyderabad.
Do you like to be designated as "Cassini Scientist for a Day" in 2010 Edition ? And Win a Opportunity to interact with NASA Scientists ?
Then the Ninth Edition of "Cassini Scientist for a Day" welcomes you. For this Students through school managements are requested to contact us through mail planetarysociety.india@gmail.com
There are many such opportunities involving school students. Hence initiate and start "Young Vyomonaut Clubs" in your school.
What should i do ? In case my school doesnt encourage participation ?
Do write to us to and we would see what can be done.
Will it cost to participate in the CSFAD activity ?
No, But attending orientation programmes and Material
VENUS BRIGHTEST DECEMBER 4 2011 - GREATEST ILLUMINATION EXTENT
On 4th December 2010 Planet Venus would reach “Venus Greatest Illumination Extent” in the morning skies. Because of which Planet would appear very brighter than it would be in months to come as Venus gets away from us in its orbit. People can spot Planet Venus towards East direction which would rise 3 hours before Sunrise. Venus can be spotted in morning skies until end of July 2011.
What is Greatest Illumination Extent ?
Greatest Illumination Extent occurs when after inferior conjunction with sun, the size of Venus’s Disk appears big and Venus although illuminated less than 27% by sunlight as seen from earth covers more square area on the sky’s dome than at a fuller or thinner phase. Hence this event provides observer’s with very bright Planet Venus in many months to come.
Greatest Illumination Extent occurs when after inferior conjunction with sun, the size of Venus’s Disk appears big and Venus although illuminated less than 27% by sunlight as seen from earth covers more square area on the sky’s dome than at a fuller or thinner phase. Hence this event provides observer’s with very bright Planet Venus in many months to come.
SPOT VENUS – MORNING – Before Sunrise in the East – Before Sun rise one has to look towards East Direction. One would spot bright star like object which doesn’t twinkle compared to stars in its background i.e. Planet Venus. It can be spotted sufficiently above horizon in east from as early as 4 a.m. before sunrise.
Was Venus Visible in year 2010 ?
Since beginning of Year 2010 to 2nd Week of October Venus was visible in Evening skies (West Direction). After that due it journey (in its orbit) around sun it became close to sun from our view and disappeared from evening skies only to appear in morning from 4th Nov. Presently Venus visible in the morning skies and morning walkers can see Venus until end of July 2011 looking east in the morning before sunrise.
How to locate Planet Saturn and Spica (Bright star of Chitra Nakshthra) ?
After locating Venus in the Eastern Skies. If one looks just above Venus, one can spot a small dot like non twinkling star like object which is Planet Saturn.
Whereas the twinkling object which is visible between Venus and Saturn is star Spica. In India it is known as Chitra Nakshatra. Spica is now in similar in brightness compared to Saturn. After locating Venus in the Eastern Skies. If one looks just above Venus, one can spot a small dot like non twinkling star like object which is Planet Saturn.
This Article is published online with title: Venus to be brighter in morning sky tomorrow at (Yahoo India News) http://in.news.yahoo.com/20/20101203/1416/tnl-venus-to-be-brighter-in-morning-sky.html
Also at (Indiareport) http://www.indiareport.com/India-usa-uk-news/latest-news/953340/National/1/20/1
(ChennaiOnline.com) http://news.chennaionline.com/national/Venus-to-be-brighter-in-morning-sky-tomorrow/07af4853-c341-4922-9bdc-f6941748c3e3.col
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