10,227 People, 128 hours, 30 Consecutive days - BAS sets a Record in Sidewalk Astronomy and Galilean Nights !

By naveenln; Published 01 Nov 2009

I would like to share the achievement of Bangalore Astronomical Society
(BAS) during Galilean nights and Sidewalk Astronomy organized in
Bangalore

As part of the
International Year of Astronomy 2009 Cornerstone Project, Galilean
Nights, BAS organized a 30 nonstop sidewalk astronomy nights event held
at various places in Bangalore during Oct month. The Volunteers of BAS
set the telescopes on the streets in most areas of Bangalore, pointing
the wonders that Italian astronomer Galileo observed 400 years ago. The
Moon and Jupiter.

Spread over thirty nights, BAS Volunteers share their knowledge and
enthusiasm for space by encouraging more than 10,200 people look
through a telescope. Of course, none of this would have been posible
without the BAS Volunteers (List below) giving up their time and
sharing their telescopes. The Team work, Passion for Astronomy and
Commitment for BAS was evident !

Every evening of Oct, hundreds of people were able to look at the
Moon and Jupiter through a telescope and most were amazed at the view
of their life's first experience. Everyone enjoyed the experience, for
most of the people it was the first time seeing the telescope and
Jupiter.

This event has been a great experience for every volunteer in
learning the skills of planning, organizing, presenting and facing the
general public

Summary :

Dates : 2nd Oct 2009 till 31st Oct 2009 !
Total Number of days : 30 Consecutive Sidewalk Astronomy Nights ( as part of Galilean Nights, IYA 2009 Activities )
Total number of People count seeing through the telescope : 10227

Total Telescope hours : 128.58 Hours !
Total number of unique places : 39 areas in Bangalore City
Total Volunteers : 33
Telescope types and sizes : 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 14 inch scopes ( details below )
Age group covered : 3 years to 85 years !

New memberships during the event : about 100
New Event Requests : about 30

Photos are shared here : http://picasaweb.google.co.in/bangaloreastronomicalsociety

Testimonials :

The 30 days non stop Sidewalk Astronomy celebrations by the voluntary
group, the Bangalore Astronomical Society, seems relatively unique in
the way purely voluntary efforts by a group of city based amateur
astronomers spread telescope viewing to so many corners of the city in
a sustained month long effort.

The activity speaks volumes for the love that the volunteers have for
astronomy, and their zeal to share this love, their knowledge, and
skills, with everyone they come across on the streets.

Rathnasree, Nehru Planetarium, New Delhi, India

Media coverage :

1. DNA India (Bangalore) Sunday, September 27, 2009

http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_bangalore-will-see-stars-this-october_1293283

2. Deccan Chronicle, September 23rd, 2009

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/bengaluru/plan-date-stars-october-054

3. Citizen Matters, 13 Oct 2009

http://bangalore.citizenmatters.in/articles/view/1418--sky-watch-bangalore--astronomical--society

4. Citizen Matters, 10Oct 2009

http://bangalore.citizenmatters.in/docs/de/citizenmatters_2009oct10-de.pdf

5. Prajavani Kannada Daily, 26 oct 2009
6. Sidewalk Astronomers Newsletters

http://www.sidewalkastronomers.us/id197.html

Telescope

2 inch Refractor
3 inch Refractor
3 inch Refractor
4 inch Reflector Alt Atz mount
4 inch Reflector Alt Atz mount
4 inch Reflector Equ mount
6 inch Reflector Dob mount
6 inch Reflector Dob mount
6 inch Reflector Equ Mount
8 inch Reflector Equ Mount
8 inch Reflector Equ Mount
14 inch LX200- Meade GOTO

Places organized:

Volunteer Participated :

Finally
I would like to congratulate all the volunteers, for making this event
a Big success and setting a record of its kind. your time, efforts, and
passion for astronomy highly appreciated !

Thanks and Regards,

Naveen Nanjundappa
Coordinator, Galilean Nights, IYA 2009 India
Vice President, Bangalore Astronomical Society