7th astronomy event sees pan-India participation

Rajkot/Gir: The seventh edition of the Gir Star Party was organized by Rajkot’s Big Bang Astronomy Club at Bhojdi village in Gir on Friday.

A total of 75 people in the age group of 11-75 years participated in the threeday event from across the country.

While star parties are a new concept for India, they have been around in Europe and the US for quite some time.

Speaking to First India, Nilesh Rana of the Community Science Centre, Rajkot said, “In order to look at the sky and stars, especially deep sky objects (DSOs), light plays a very important role.

Gir skies with no artificial lights in the vicinity and clean air is one of the best locations in the country for sky gazing. In Gujarat, ours is the only club that organizes public star gazing parties.

People from all over the country register for this annual event and enjoy the dark skies with their telescopes and binoculars.

This event is equally delightful for experienced amateur astronomers (sky watchers) as well as complete novices or even first timers.”

Eminent astrophysicist and president of The Indian Planetary Society, Mumbai, Dr JJ Rawal, also attended the event.

“Majority of the participants are novices. And so, a basic crash course on astronomy was held on February 04, followed by a naked eye tour of the sky and bucket observation,” added Rana.

Dilip Jogi, a 53-yearold businessman from Mumbai, who attended his fourth star party, termed it “an excellent knowledge gaining programme.”