A two day state level seminar on total solar eclipse began today on May 11 at 11 am at Guwahati Planetarium Conference Hall. The training programme has been organised by Guwahati Planetarium and Pragjyotish Amateur Astronomers’ Association, Guwahati, with support from Department of Science & Technology, Government of Assam. Dr. Anil Kumar Goswami, President, Pragjyotish Amateur Astronomers’ Association Guwahati and former Principal, Cotton College Guwahati welcomed all delegates and guests. In his welcome speech Dr. Goswami explained about the importance of creating awareness among people on the occasion of the total solar eclipse to occur on 22nd July, which would be fully visible on the northern bank of Brahmaputra.
Sri Babul Chandra Barbaruah, Joint Secy. Deptt. Of Science & Technology, Govt. of Assam and Director, Guwahati Planetaruim formally inaugurated the seminar where delegates from most of the districts of Assam participated. In his inaugural address he said that misconceptions and superstitions could be abolished from the minds of the people by organising such seminars. He stressed the need for making science popular among students as well as the common people. Prof. Vijay Mohan of IUCAA (Inter University Centre for Astronomy & Astrophysics), Pune, who was also on a visit to Guwahati University also addressed the delegates as a special guest. He described in detail all the aspects of astronomy and astrophysics with particular reference to the forthcoming total solar eclipse to occur on July 22nd. He also spoke about different types of telescopes and their operation for better sky watching. Prof. Hiralal Duarah, former VC of Guwahati University, also addressed the session and highlighted different aspects of the total solar eclipse. Prof. Amalendu Bandopadhaya, Senior Scientist, MP Birla Institute of Fundamental Research, Birla Planetarium Kolkata addressed the second session of the day as a special guest. He explained the differences between astronomy and astrology saying people around the world have always had misconceptions regarding solar eclipses. He advised the delegates on the things to be done for watching the solar eclipse on July 22nd in a better way. Moreover Dr. Kishor Baruah of Tezpur University, UN Deka, Secy. Pragjyotish Amateur Astronomers’ Association, also spoke on the occasion on the first day of the two-day seminar cum workshop, followed by a session of sky watching in the evening under the guidance of UN Deka and Babul Bora, Curator, Guwahati Planetarium.
- 9813 reads








Add new comment