My Milky-way photo featured in the Indian Express

Article about success story of Anjanvel Agro Tourism

Hello. My Milky-way photo is featured in an article published in the Indian Express. Anjanvel agro tourism, Mawal (near Lonavala) is a place where we conduct sky watching programme, camps for children and many more activities. It is a wonderful place owned by my friend Rahul Jagtap. Anjanvel in short means every moment spent well! This article has depicted its journey as a start up. How Rahul’s father Appa built this place, how inch by inch he converted this uneven and rocky place into a green zone with such a rich biodiversity! Do read this article. It is interesting to understand how Rahul’s father Appa took efforts in his rather retired life- how the villagers developed it. Today there is rich biodiversity – huge number of fireflies and diverse trees is a proof. Here one can also witness core of Sahyadri mountains, natural miracles such as giant river potholes, indigenous species of plants and flowers and many more. Not to forget the waterfall that is active these days and the enchanting scenery there!

Sky watching experience with children at Sankeshwar

Hello. Dr. Smruti Hawal’s Supanth Manch and Astromaitri, Sankeshwar had recently organized an overnight sky watching programme for children and elders at Sankeshwar. I and my friend Gireesh were fortunate to participate in it and conduct the sky watching part. Through this, I am sharing my experience. I had known Dr. Smruti Tai as very active and enthusiast person, some one who loves books and learning. She had planned this programme last year also, but due to cloudy conditions, we had to postpone it. This time also, we had worries due to cloudy conditions. Clouds did interrupt and took some joy away. But they were kind also and we could observe some of the main objects! 

Dr. Smruti Tai had chosen a perfect place, their farm house near Sankeshwar. This farmhouse with plenty of flowers, lush green fields, huge old well, peaceful nature and peacocks offered an excellent place with clear view from all directions. Had it been clear, it would have been a most memorable night. But it was not to be. Initially, we had started to think that it was going to be washed out! It did rain also. But the sky was kind and suddenly out of nowhere, we could see the Sun, the star near us. Suddenly, the sky was clear! Through Gireesh’ 8 inch Dobsonian telescope, we could observe the sunspots and orange disk of the Sun. Of course, we used a proper filter. Children could see the tiny black dot- the sunspot, area of faint flares on the surface of the Sun. Though the sunspots look like dots, they are bigger than our earth! Dr. Smruti Tai thanked the Sun and the nature in gratitude!

Experiencing Kumaon Himalaya 4: Towards thrilling Munsyari!

✪  Jeep ride on a treacherous route in Uttarakhand
✪  On the bank of Gori Ganga river
✪  Memories of relief work in Jauljibi villages
✪  Munsyari- A mesmerizing village
✪  Trek to Nanda Devi Mandir
✪  Moonrise on the backdrop of Pancha Chuli peaks!

I left Satgarh on the dawn of 6th December. It is just daylight and the jeep arrived. Aditya dropped me on the road. I took the back seat. I have my telescope and binocular with me. From Satgarh Munsiyari is not much- 108 kms. But entire the route is mountainous with difficult terrain! Therefore around 4-5 hours are needed. The continuously turning road. In order to avoid vomiting, I decided that I would not eat anything till I reach Munsiyari. I had followed this during Tanakpur- Pithauragarh journey also. My experience tells me that it is useful.

(Here you can listen my article in audio format.)

Experiencing Kumaon Himalaya 1: Preface

Hello! recently I had gone to the Himalaya for sky watching and for trekking. It was such a great experience, so overwhelming experience that I am compelled to write about it. I had gone to Uttarakhand for around 8 days. There was one marriage in Pithoragarh. So I had gone there. After that I went to Munsyari village which is around 100 KM from Tibet border. It is right in the middle of the Himalayas and it is surrounded by mountain peaks! 

Such a great experience it is always to go to the Himalaya! I left Mumbai on 1st December and my train took me to Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh. From Bareilly, I went to Tanakpur by bus. Incidentally just before arriving to Bareilly station, I observed a leopard in a Farm near Bareilly! So these days wild animals and leopards are everywhere. I could witness this. For sometime I had to stay at Tanakpur as the buses in the mountains in Himalaya do not travel at night. It was very cold but I had to wait at the bus stop. It was very much cold and it was just a glimpse of how the coming days would be like. 

(Here you can listen this article: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4GFJsmxWFKovgAMhKEh5t0?si=zu9mFrTzSKek7OzDy3z4Sg )

Lunar eclipse experience: Interplay of shadows!

Hello! Yesterday’s lunar eclipse was memorable! The night began with clouds and rains. Initially it was the shadows of clouds! We were ready with two telescopes and a binocular. When the Moon entered the penumbra, the eclipse began. But the Sun is so bright that even after being partially covered, lowering of brightness of the Moon is negligible. But later when the Moon entered the umbra (when the Sun was completely obstructed by the Earth), then the edge of the Moon got darkened. Still clouds continued. Just for a few seconds they would give an opening and the Moon would become visible. Its eclipse was clearly visible. From the Full Moon, it gradually became a crescent! And as more and more area of the Moon came inside the umbra, it became reddish! It was a treat to watch it! 

As far as photos are concerned, due to clouds, I could not take great photos. My friend- Gireesh Mandhale took great photos through his 8 inch telescope. They can be seen here.

 

Star exploded in sky- Supernova in Lupus constellation

5 million times brightened Star visible to the unaided eye

Supernova occurs when a star is exploded. This is one possibility in the last stage of the life of stars. If there is a star pair and one star is dwarf or if one has high mass, then such explosion occurs. The star exploded is a 22.3 magnitude star in Lupus constellation in Southern sky. On 12th June its explosion was noticed. Electronic survey systems revealed that the originally 22.3 magnitude star exploded and gained brightness of 8.7. On 19th June, its brightness increased to 5.7, that means it became so bright that even unaided eye can see it from dark skies. 

V462 Lupi is the name given to this Nova. It might have exploded hundreds of years ago, but we came to know only when its light reached us. This can be found out with the help of bright Centaurus constellation in the Southern sky. As its magnitude is 5.8, it can be observed through the naked eyes from a very dark sky. Through a binocular, it is easily observable. This star is near the Kappa Centauri of Centaurus constellation. Its position can be seen below: 

 

As this Supernova has around 40 degree declination, it cannot be observed beyond 35 degree North. In India, it can be observed at night between 9.30 to 11.30 by taking direction from bright Kappa Centauri star. For some days, it will remain bright. Although there are clouds these days, even if the sky region gets clear for just 15 minutes, it can be viewed through a binocular.

Wonderful dual visibility of Venus- A rare phenomenon!

Hello. We know that Venus is known as an evening star or a morning star as it is generally seen in the evening or in the early morning. But both cannot happen simultaneously. Just think, if suppose Venus sets after the Sun, i.e. it is visible in the evening, then in the morning, the Sun would rise before Venus and therefore Venus would not be visible in the dawn. If Venus is in the east of the Sun, then it is visible only in the early morning.

But, in a rare condition, Venus has dual visibility- meaning it is visible in the morning and also evening in the same day! Yes, you read properly! In a rare condition, this happens and it is happening today, on 20th March and 21st March! Its reason is these days, Venus is having inferior solar conjunction, meaning it is almost close to the line connecting the Sun and the Earth. It is crossing the Sun from inner side and so now it is moving towards east side of the Sun. Therefore, it is no longer visible in the evening and after two weeks, it will be visible in the early morning. But, it is showing wonderful dual visibility!

Wonderful experience of watching the Space station and glorious night sky!

Hello. Last Saturday on 8th March, me and my friend Gireesh Mandhale conducted a sky watching programme at Anjanvel Agro Tourism near Lonavala. We had excellent skies with wonderful stars! On the women’s day, everyone was thrilled to see the Space station with Sunita Williams onboard! Also, crescent Venus, movements of moons of Jupiter, plenty of craters on the Moon, clusters in the dawn, white Milky way band, the morning trek, meditation and last but not the least, the Sun- spots! Overall it was so much of joy and satisfaction. Sharing its experience with you.

Festival of light in the sky!

Sky watching event in Anjanvel near Lonavala!

✪ Finally the comet is seen!
✪ Star show in a dark night sky
✪ Thrill to watch a shadow on Jupiter surface caused by its moon
✪ Rain of stars in the sky
✪ Wonderful landscape in the mountains
✪ Bedsa caves- two thousand years back!
✪ Anjanvel- the week-end spent well!

Hello. Recently we could experience the light festival in the sky. We could enjoy sky watching in a serene campus of Anjanvel agro tourism near Lonavala, Maharashtra, located amid wonderful mountains and forts. We could also share this joy of sky watching with others. Hereby I wish to share the experience with you. After many cloudy nights, me and my friend Gireesh Mandhale reached Anjanvel farm house. Glorious mountains and wonderful terrain! Crystal clear blue sky is assuring us that sky watching would be excellent here! We reached when it was getting dark. Venus is already shining in the west. In a hurry we set up the telescopes and prepared ourselves for the comet! Slowly faint stars appeared in the sky. As the darkness grew, small stars started shining! And yes, here is the comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan- ATLAS) at its expected position! With a large 8" aperture, a modest 4.5 " aperture telescope and a 15 X 70 binocular, it was clearly visible. As the eyes adjusted gradually, its tail is also visible. It was not visible to the naked eyes.

Thrilling experience of Saturn disappearing behind the Moon!

Yesterday it was very cloudy in the evening. So the comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) could not be seen. Afterwards it also rained. But somehow the clouds gave way right at the time of the occultation! What a thrilling experience it was! It was wonderful to observe this event with my friend Gireesh Mandhale and through his large 8 inch telescope. We both had watched the Saturn- Moon occultation that had occurred on 23 January 2022 (22.5 years back)! And now we again observed this together. We had my 4.5 inch telescope and also a binocular. We had to wait till midnight and the conditions were very cloudy. But the reward was blissful! 

 

Photos and videos

Opportunity to observe and photograph comet 12/P Pons-Brooks!

✪ The comet is visible with binoculars just after Sunset
✪ Need a remote location with dark skies
✪ Can be photographed through a smartphone.
✪ Spotting a comet is a thrill!
✪ The comet will be close to Alpha Areties (Ashwini) on 30th March

Hello all. Some of you may be knowing that one comet- 12/P Pons-Brooks is visible these days. 12/P means it is the 12th comet whose period was calculated. It completes one rotation around Sun in 71 years. It has been known and observed since many centuries. Pons- Brooks is parts of names of two astronomers who had discovered it simultaneously. As of 15th March, its current magnitude is +5.5 and that means from a remote location with dark sky, it should be easily observed through a binocular or even maybe with naked eyes. Its position, though, is slightly tricky as it is approaching the Sun and therefore in our sky it is not far from Sun. It can be observed just when darkness is about to fall. As on 15th March, it is near a bright star Mirach- Beta Andromeda and slowly it is moving towards Aries constellation.

This photo was taken on 5 March. The comet, Andromeda galaxy and Mirach star are visible in the photo. Astronomy photo of the day: Image Credit & Copyright: Petr Horálek / Institute of Physics in Opava

Lunar occultation of Antares star

Opportunity to observe this wonderful event on early morning of 5th February

✪ Opportunity to observe an astronomical wonder of occultation
✪ This can be observed through naked eyes in the dawn
✪ Venus and Mars can also be observed
✪ Ursa Major, Scorpion, Arcturus, Spica, Vega, Alpha centauri, Beta Scorpii etc. stars and constellations can also be observed
✪ M 7 and Omega Centauri star clusters can be observed

Hello all. On 5th February 2024 at the dawn, we have an opportunity to witness a wonderful astronomical event. When moon obstructs light of some planet, asteroid or a star, then it is called an occultation. At around 4:46 am (for Maharashtra) on the dawn of 5th February, Antares star will be obstructed by the Moon. It will get behind illuminated side of the Moon and at 5:59 am, it will come from behind the dark side of the Moon. Even then also it will be dark so that its reappearance will also be visible to the naked eyes.

This occultation will be visible in South East side in the sky. At that time, the Moon will be around 29% illuminated. Antares is the brightest red giant star in Scorpion constellation and it appears reddish to our eyes. It will be visible right till it gets behind the Moon and it will be again visible after it reappears from behind the Moon. With a binocular, this can be observed in more details. A star visible to us suddenly becomes invisible in a moment and after some time, it again reappears out of darkness! This sight is a wonderful experience.

Approximate position of the Moon and Antares just before the occultation is as shown above.

(My article about observing Mars occultation by the Moon and its video is available here: http://niranjan-vichar.blogspot.com/2021/04/blog-post_18.html This blog has my articles related to sky watching. It has one more similar article about the wonderful Venus occultation by the Moon:  http://niranjan-vichar.blogspot.com/2023/10/thrilling-experience-of-watching-lunar.html)

The Moon generally moves around half a degree towards est along the Ecliptic path in the sky. Stars close to this ecliptic are likely to be obstructed by the Moon and such stars include Antares, Spica and Alpha Libra. Such stars are many times occulted by the Moon. The Moon daily obstructs light of many faint stars. But as Antares is a bright star, it will be visible till it gets obstructed. This star is thousand times larger than our Sun and its distance is around 700 light years and still it shines so bright! This distance means that although we watch it now, its light has left the star around 700 years ago.

On this occasion, other astronomical objects can also be observed. Towards west, Regulus star and Denebola star in Leo will be visible. Towards North West, Ursa Major will be visible and they will be about to set. In the zenith there will be bright stars Arcturus and Spica in slightly southwards. Towards east of Antares, there will be Beta Scorpii star. If the sky is clear and there is less light pollution, then M7 open cluster in the Scorpion constellation can also be visible. Also, in the South, Omega centauri- a great globular cluster will also be visible through a binocular. Also bright stars of Alpha and Beta Centauri will be visible with the naked eyes. Alpha Centauri is the second closest star at 4.3 light years after our Sun. Towards East, Vega star will be visible near the horizon. Bright Venus will be visible to East of the Moon and just before twilight, Mars can also be observed near the East horizon.
 

Do observe this unique sky event. Along with that, observe other stars and constellations too. You can share this post with your near ones. Thank you.

(Thanks for reading! Niranjan Welankar 09422108376. Conducts sessions for fitness, meditation, sky watching and fun- learn for children.)

The Kalpana Chawla story- you cannot imagine (कल्पना नही कर सकते)!

Participation in Kalpana Chawla Space Academy workshop
 

India’s First Space Technology Academy at Secondary School level

Hello and namaste. Recently I got an opportunity to participate in a workshop organized at Kalpana Chawla Space Academy, Adv. Bapusaheb Bhonde Highschool, Lonavala. I also got opportunity to contribute for designing its curriculum. It was wonderful to interact with such scientists and veterans in the fields of science, education and research. Got so many things to learn from these persons. Many less- known facts about the great Kalpana Chawla came to the fore. A video call with her father was the moment to be remembered for the life! Here is a write up to highlight major aspects of this workshop.
 

✪ Shri. Sanjay Pujari- “madly passionate about educating”
✪ Towering personalities and equalizing science
✪ Young veterans sharing words of wisdom!
✪ The Kalpana Chawla story- you cannot imagine (कल्पना नही कर सकते)!
✪ Inspirational meeting with senior Chawla ji
✪ “Whole the universe is my home”
✪ Less known aspects of Kalpana Chawla


Shri. Sanjay Pujari sir, veteran in science popularization and founder of Kalpana Chawla Science centre, Karad had told me to prepare an outline for a curriculum for 7th Standard students about astronomy. I had told him that I can write on for observational aspects of astronomy and he accepted that. While conducting sky watching sessions, many persons had asked me how they can learn about these sky wonders. So I had some ideas in mind and then sent the outline to Pujari sir. Then he invited me for this workshop.

Young veterans!

In the workshop, I met Shri. Pujari sir after long time. Such a warmth and affection. He introduced us to other eminent dignitaries. It mainly included Shri. Madhav Bhonde sir, the principal of the school and Mrs. Radhika Bhonde madam, ex- vice chancellor of a university Dr. Pandit Vidyasagar and others. Mr and Mrs. Bhonde have extended their support to this academy. It was amazing to know these young people. One such young veteran- Dr. Vyankatesh Gambhir casually shared that he had just ascended to Sinhgad fort. Age of this young person is just 75! Another young person- Industrialist Shri. Narayan Bhargava had come here all the way from Mumbai and he drove his car even when he had a plaster in his left hand! This was just one example of how he can do things single- handedly!

Thrilling experience of spotting comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF)!

✪Thrilling experience of spotting it through my telescope

✪ Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) is visible through binoculars
✪ Need dark skies and precise sky- location of the comet
✪ Its position changes rapidly
✪ Will be brightest around 1st  February

Hello all. Some of you may be knowing that one comet- C/2022 E3 (ZTF) is visible these days. It is not bright enough to be seen only through eyes as of 24th January. But it is visible through binoculars or a small telescope. What you need is a location with dark sky. That means a place at least 20 kms away from any city lights. You also need a detailed sky mapping app like Sky safari along with proper sky orientation and knowledge of major constellations. But just these would not be sufficient. You would also need some practice of watching sky objects, particularly dim objects.