SINGASTRO FESTIVALS 2004

12 NOV – 13 NOV

The Astronomers from SINGASTRO are pleased to present SINGASTRO FESTIVAL 2004, the first ever astronomy symposium designed to bring local astronomers (and anyone keen to know more about astronomy) together to learn more about astronomy, catch sights of the latest astronomy equipment for observation and imaging, attend various talks ranging from beginning astronomy to astrophotography, astronomy quizzes, observing the sun with exciting filters, stargazing, attend a unique showcase collection of astrophotographs taken by our very own local astronomers, and many more...

Dear Friends,

As most of you already know, I am part of a local amateur astronomy group known as Singastro, and we are organising an event to promote astronomy in Singapore this weekend. It will be pretty exciting and informative. Please come down and take a look! I'm sure you can make the time. Showcased will be my telescopes and some of my photos! But the other telescope will be more glam.

One highlight will be the Hydrogen-Alpha filter solar gazing. This special filter is extremely expensive and rare. It allows us to view the sun 'boiling' and flares in real time. At night, there will be a whole array of telescopes to check out. Of course, all viewing is subject to the weather.

It is held this Friday and Saturday at the Singapore Polytechnic. Please check out the details below and forward the information to anyone who might be interested! Come down and I'll give you a personal tour!

Chris

Official website at http://www.singastro.org/fest2004/index.htm

Details as follows (event at The Concourse, SINGAPORE
POLYTECHNIC):
November 12th: 6PM-10PM
November 13th: 10:30AM-10PM

Event Highlights:
-----------------
Solargazing (including H-alpha!)
- view sunpots as well as solar prominences and flares through the rare and expensive Hydrogen-Alpha filter!

Stargazing (both nights!)

Talks (we have FIVE talks given by very experienced
astronomy speakers from Singapore and Malaysia!)
- see below for synopses and times

Quizzes (challenge yourself!)

Dazzling Equipment Display (you name it, we have
them!)
- including mine!

Telescope Design (a novice? look out for this event!)
- learn more about how telescopes work.

SINGASTRO ShowCase (an amazing pictorial introduction
to the evolution of SINGASTRO, with pictures of past
expeditions around the world, and local events, etc.)

Gallery (an array of interesting astronomy images
captured by various local and regional
astrophotographers)
- including mine!

XChange (can't afford new equipment? Looking for
goodies? Stay tuned!)


Directions/Locations
--------------------
For those (and friends, students, etc) taking public
transport, please stop at Dover MRT. They will be
directional signs labelled "SF2004" leading to the
Concourse. Alternatively, please visit
www.singastro.org and click on the banner above the
page for more details on directions getting to the
venue.

The solar gazing session on Saturday will be held at
the Concourse building at level 4 (rooftop) while the
stargazing session for BOTH nights will be held at the
soccer field next to Food Court Three.

In any case, there will be ushers stationed at the
Concourse to bring you to the stargazing site at
7:30PM onwards for BOTH nights. This is similar for
those reaching Dover MRT station at 10AM on Saturday
morning. They will be wearing name tags so you cannot
miss them.

Festival Schedule:
-------------------
NOVEMBER 12 (FRIDAY)
1845 : FESTIVAL REGISTRATION
1900 : TALK: PRACTICAL ASTRONOMY
2000 : STARGAZING
NOVEMBER 13 (SATURDAY)
1030 : FESTIVAL REGISTRATION
1100 : FESTIVAL OPENING REMARKS
1115 : TALK: THE BIG BANG AND THE EVOLUTION OF THE UNIVERSE
1200 : SOLARGAZING
1415 : COSMIC AWARDS
1500 : TALK: ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY, NUTS & BOLTS
1600 : QUIZZES
1700 : TALK: ATM ASTRONOMY
1800 : SINGASTRO SHOWCASE
1900 : TALK: COSMOLOGY, A HUMOUROUS ACCOUNT
2000 : STARGAZING
2200 : FESTIVAL ENDS

TALKS:
---------------
Practical Astronomy In Singapore: An Introduction
(Vincent Kee)
---------------------------------
See website for update

Big Bang and the Evolution Of The Universe (Au Mun Chew)
------------------------------------------------------
From the Big Bang through 13.37 billion years, we get the Milky Way. The first living things on earth - evolution of life - homonids - homo erectus - Man, the curiosities of Man - Man's adventures into space and to the edge of solar system, and the future of space adventure.

Astrophotography, Nuts And Bolts (Remus Chua)
---------------------------------------------
An interesting insight into the fundamental mechanisms of astronomy imaging and various techniques employed in the various exciting fields (film and digital) of astrophotography.

ATM Astronomy (Dr Chong, Lim Choon Kiat)
----------------------------------------
An exciting new chapter unveils in the introduction of practical mirror-making for reflector telescopes, and assorted experiences/techniques of Amateur Telescope Making (ATM), brought to you by two very experienced Malaysian astronomers.

Cosmology: A Humourous Account (Dr Phil Chan)
--------------------------------------------
It will be a humorous account for all to enjoy and some astronomical facts and ideas to bring home for young budding amateur astronomers....
click on 'permanent link' to read more...