Gujarat Science City gears up for 15th January Solar Eclipse

About 150 science communicators including BRC and CRC coordinators, science teachers, amateur astronomers and eclipse chaser students from various schools and colleges attended an orientation workshop and learned about the art and science of the solar eclipse at Gujarat Science City today.

Inaugurating an orientation workshop on annular solar eclipse in Science City, Shri Ravi Saxena, Principal Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Government of Gujarat informed “ These science communicators will be useful in spreading the truth and science of solar eclipse in the society. Solar eclipse is a natural phenomenon and has the potential to bring lots of scientific attitude in the society”

“Scientists are now looking for new knowledge about the relationship about the sun, moon, earth and the solar system. It would be a great opportunity to popularize science and to create interest in the basic science among the younger generation. Eclipse is associated with despair, sadness and fear. When the sun and moon plays the hide and sick game, the fear of demons take place. On the contrary, with the advancement of science and technology, eclipses are now the major subject of learning and researching” added Mr. Saxena.

There are also elaborative arrangements made at Science City to facilitate the safe viewing of the partial solar eclipse on the 15th January 2010. Telescopes fitted with appropriate solar filters, solar image projectors, pin-hole camera, and solar filter goggles, NASA eclipse lenticulars have been arranged to facilitate safe viewing of this celestial event among a large number of students and visitors.
The programme will be open for public between 11.00 hrs to 15:30 hrs.

The activity includes the live commentary and interaction by the scientists, student scientific experiments, screening of eclipse films and presentations on the LED screen.

Delivering a key-note address at the seminar today, Prof. Narendra Bhandari, the former scientist of PRL, expressed that India has to play a great role on solar eclipse. In the past, many significant scientific explorations have been made during the solar eclipse time including the discovery of Helium. It is purely a geometrical phenomenon with the use of light and shadow.

Dr. J. R. Trivedy, Former Scientists at PRL also discussed on the excitement moment of the solar eclipse which can be a turning point for large number of students to be interested in science and its miracles.

Eminent Scientist and astronomy expert Prof J. N. Desai also conducted an interactive session on how to predict solar eclipse and its probable pathways.

In the beginning, Shri Ashok Mehta, Executive Director, Science City welcomed the dignitaries and participants.

The scientific observations of solar eclipse were also discussed at length by Dr. B. R. Sitaram, Director, Zeal Education Society. Dr. Piyush Dave, eminent ophthalmologist ,Dr. Hari Om Vats, Sr. Professor at PRL among others.

Dr. Narottam Sahoo, Sr. Scientist, Science City demonstrated the scientific experiments which can be conducted by school and college students during the eclipse time. The participants received an Astronomy Kit that includes about 25 such experiments designed by Vigyan Prasar, New Delhi.