#Telescopes

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 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.

On January 13, 2024, the Antariksh Astronomy Club of VIT Pune hosted a talk on the "History and Working of Optical Telescopes," presented by Bhavya Shah. Covering telescope types—refractive, reflective, and catadioptric—the talk explored key models like Galilean, Keplerian, and Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes, highlighting advantages, challenges, and optical aberrations such as chromatic and geometric distortions. Mount types, including Dobsonian and equatorial, were discussed for their tracking capabilities and suitability in astrophotography. The session provided attendees with a foundational understanding of telescope mechanics and advancements, emphasizing telescopes' pivotal role in astronomical observations.