Events

Conceptus Celestia was a public ‘Star Party’ event organized by the Antariksh club of VI. Held on the 4th of April and extending into the morning of the 5th, the event took place at Chandavne nights camping, a secluded and dark location approximately 64 kilometers from Pune, ensuring minimal light pollution for optimal night sky observation. The event was a resounding success, enjoyed by 80 attendees who had the opportunity to observe constellations, deep sky objects, and participate in two insightful sessions led by Sir Jameer Manur and Pranav Pujari.

The main objective of the event was to connect and interact with space enthusiasts  and spread awareness regarding the opportunities in this field for young minds.

The event "Instrumentation and Engineering in Astronomy" featured a talk by Ashish Mhaske, a scientific officer at IUCAA. The discussion covered the role of engineers in astronomy, focusing on electromagnetic wave detectors, particle detectors, and gravitational wave detectors like LIGO. It highlighted opportunities for engineers in building and maintaining astronomical instruments, emphasizing the multidisciplinary nature of astronomy. The session concluded with a Q&A, addressing topics such as gravitational wave detection, dark matter observation, and India's advancements in astronomy.

On August 23, 2024, Antariksh Club celebrated National Space Day at Vishwakarma Vidyalaya, engaging 120 students. The event focused on India's space journey, featuring presentations on ISRO's history, key missions like Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan, and contributions from pioneers like Aryabhatta and Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Highlights included a rover demonstration, interactive trivia, and discussions on future space missions like Gaganyaan and Aditya-L1. The event inspired students to explore careers in space science and honored ISRO's contributions to India's space endeavors.

The Antariksh Club of Vishwakarma Institutes hosted a public star party on April 6, 2024, near Velhe, Pune. Stargazers observed celestial objects, including Jupiter, the Orion Nebula, and the Sombrero Galaxy, using telescopes of various sizes. Guided by amateur astronomers Mr. Jameer and Mr. Pranav, participants learned constellation mapping and debunked astronomy vs. astrology myths. Educational sessions explored star alignment, constellation myths, and astronomical principles, enriching attendees' understanding of the universe. Despite cloudy skies, stargazing, astrophotography, and observing the golden crescent moon at dawn captivated all, fueling interest in astronomy and encouraging a scientific outlook.