Public Live Night Sky Observation Programme

Pokhara Astronomical Society (PAS) successfully conducted the first live public event program at Prithvi Narayan Campus, Pokhara, on 27th December 2012. Altogether 500 Public successfully observed the Moon and its surface, Jupiter and its satellites. Night Observation Program was conducted with the help of 3.5 inch Meade, 5 inch Celesteron and 3 inch Bushnell Telescopes. Night Observation program was started at 5:30 pm to till 8pm. President Suman Gautam had given his 5 minutes interview from Machhapuchhre F.M. and Vice-president Mahesh Thakuri talked to Gandaki media about this historical event happening first time in the Pokhara.

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Woman watching Jupiter

Moon Observation

Grandmother watching Moon

Group Photo of Organizer

Focusing to Moon

Moon Watching 

PAS Astronomy Class

Pokhara Astronomical Society (PAS) gave continuity to its Astronomy Education to three different schools of Pokhara.

PAS had conducted its Astronomy class in Kumudini Higher secondary School situated in Gairapatan Pokhara along with the night sky observation program.

During the program, students and teachers observed Moon'surface and Jupiter through our own telescope. More than 600 students participated in the program. Suman Gautam and Mahesh Thakuri from PAS along with Maya Barlev (Thomas J. Watson fellow) from USA facilitated the program.

 Mr.Ashok Palikhe the director of Kumudini homes gave vote of thanks to PAS and said that such program helps the students to gain knowledge on Astronomy and Astrophysics and inspires the students through live night sky observation..

Simillary PAS had conducted its program on Karudanidhi Higher Secondary School (KEF) situated in Simpani, Pokhara on december 24, 2012

And its third program was held in Motherland Higher Secondary School situated in Mashbar, Pokhara. Altogether 400 students successfully observe the Moon and Jupiter. 

Mr. Mahesh Thakuri giving talks on 'Solar System Objects'

 Maya Barlev (Thomas J. Watson fellow) from USA taking class

Mr. Suman Gautam giving talks on 'Curiosity at Mars'

PAS Founder Vice President Participating in "International School on Astronomy and Space Science"

Mr. Mahesh Thakuri with Telescope

Poster Presentation of PAS

Founder Vice President of Pokhara Astronomical Society (PAS) , Mr. Mahesh Thakuri, participated the "International School on Astronomy and Space Science" held on October 1-10 in Kathmandu, Nepal. The programme was organized by B.P. Koirala Memorial Planetarium, Observatory and Science Museum Development Board, Government of Nepal. In this ten days school, there were lectures from the scientists of Nepal and foreign related to Astronomy and Space Science. Talks were given by the various astrophysicists and experts including prof. Uday Raj Khanal from CDP Tribhuvan University, Mr. Sanat K. Shahi from BPKMPOSMDB, Mr. Ajit K. Kembhavi from IUCAA Pune India, Mr. Norio Kaifu from National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) & International Astronomical Union (IAU) etc. There was night sky observation at Nagarkot through 16" Meade LX200GPS Telescope which is only national observatory of Nepal.

One Day Seminar on Astronomy

Participants posing for group photo with
Mr. Sudeep Neupane and Mr. Suresh  Bhattarai in the middle

 Pokhara Astronomical Society (PAS) successfully conducted its first seminar on Astronomy with Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) at Bhadrakali Higher Secondary School, Pokhara on 6^th October 2012. Founder vice president of NASO, Mr. Sudeep Neupane had presented his talks on "Astronomy Education and Outreach" and Secretary Mr. Suresh Bhattarai gave his talks on "Promoting Astronomy and Space Science Education".

Mr. Suman Gautam introducing PAS

Mr. Suman Gautam on the behalf of PAS 

introduced the Pokhara Astronomical Society and its activities with future plans.

Celebrating World Space Week

Mr.Suman Gautam

Pokhara Astronomical Society had celebrated "World Space Week" (October 4-10, 2012) in Aroma College  jointly with  Jamuna-Keith Astronomical Research Center (JKARC) and Nepal Astronomy and  Space Science Association (NASSA). Mr. Suman Gautam had given the presentation on 'Mars Exploration' 

and Mr. Jeevan Lamsal had given his presentation on 'Solar System'. Sky observation had done by our own Meade ETX-90EC Telescope.

Mr.Jeevan Lamsal

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Pokhara Star Peace Party

It is true that there is no any border for Science. And sky is for everyone. We all share one Sky and today it is the only thing that we have common among all the people around world. PAS also celebrated its first Star Peace Party for the first time in beautiful city Pokhara. Although the program could not be as we have planned in the spot. Due to the raining weather of Pokhara we had to confine our program of night sky observation in indoor gathering.

Generally Star Peace Party is celebrated near the border of two neighbor countries to strengthen the relationship and promote peace in the world. Its goal is to bring the positive change in mind of people toward the world by showing them the boundless beauty of universe and make realize being the small part of Universe.  We would like to thank all our friends and collaborators for their support for this worldwide Peace Party.

PAS Astronomy Class

September 14, 2012 Pokhara

Pokhara Astronomical Society successfully conducted its first approach to school students. PAS in association with 'Bhadrakali Science club' conducted the "PAS Astronomy Class" orientation programme about astronomy and space science in Bhadrakali Higher Secondary School, Kundhar, Pokhara-13.

PAS Got Telescope Donation From Mr. Riwaj Pokhrel

Pokhara Astronomical Society (PAS) has got a telescope donated by Mr. Riwaj Pokhrel. Two executives from PAS Creative Vice President Mr. Mahesh Thakuri and Secretary Mr. Jeevan Lamsal received ETX 90 MEADE telescope from Riwaj Pokhrel on August 3, 2012 in Kathmandu. Giving the Telescope Mr. Riwaj Pokhrel told that among many astronomy clubs in Nepal he chosed Pokhara Astronomical Society (PAS) to give his telescope. He believes PAS will actively do the outreach programs, talks, seminars and other awareness programs to increase the understanding in astronomy in Pokhara and its vicinity.

Secretary Mr. Jeevan Lamsal and
Creative Vice President Mr. Mahesh
Thakuri with Mr Riwaj Pokhrel Posing
after Telescope setup

Mr. Riwaj Pokhrel was born on 26 January 1986 in Dhangadi, the far western part of Nepal. He has a Master’s degree in Physics with major Astrophysics from Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu. He completed his Bachelors level in Physics from Trichandra Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu after finishing his higher secondary and secondary level education from Siddhartha Academy and Siddhartha Shishu Sadan. He is the Executive Founder Member of Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) and Country Coordinator

Mr. Mahesh Thakuri and Mr. Jeevan Lamsal
receiving Telescope from Mr. Riwaj Pokhrel

of Astronomers Without Boarders (AWB) for Nepal. He is the Group Member of Astrophysics and Cosmology Research Group, Central Department of Physics in Tribhuvan University and also the Group Member of Campaign Against Light Pollution CALP-Nepal.

Secretary Mr. Jeevan Lamsal with Mr. Riwaj Pokhrel
and Joan Chamberlin in a school of Pokhara

He has done a lot of contribution in the field of astronomy in Nepal. He has coordinated many outreach activities like star parties, observation campaign, space science programs in the different parts of Nepal. He has participated in many conferences and seminars which were organized internationally and nationally. He is the LOC member of most popular “International Conference on Astrophysics and Cosmology” which was held in Tribhuvan University, Nepal on 19th-22nd March, 2012. Also he is the LOC and SOC member of “Galileo teacher training program”, a special project of “Global hands on Universe” which was held in Eureka high school, Kathmandu, Nepal on 31st March, 2012.

Mr Riwaj Pokhrel with his family and with two PAS members

Before going University of Massachusetts in the United States of America for his PhD he introduced PAS to the AWB Team for other supports and help in the coming days. He assured that he will always appreciate the good works of PAS and if possible he will help from the United States too.

PAS thanked him for his remarkable donation and will always acknowledge his contribution in the history of PAS. This is the first and only telescope PAS has till the date. PAS want to wish him good luck and bright future in his life always.

Transit of Venus (ToV-2012) observation programme

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Pokhara Astronomical Society (PAS) has organized Transit of Venus observation program at Prithivi Narayan Campus in Pokhara on 6th June 2012. The program was overwhelming successful. More than five hundred observers observed the transit from the observation spot. About 300 students from different 15 schools of Pokhara observed the transit and more than 200 local people came to observe the venus transit.

Organizer with Guests

Program co-ordinator Jeevan Lamsal talked on the Introduction on Transit of Venus 2012 in the program. In the beginning of the program Mr. Sujan Regmi gave the welcome speech on behalf of Pokhara Astronomical Society (PAS). Program was divided into different three observation session. Chief Guest Gehendreashor Koirala, Campus chief of Prithivi Narayan Campus was so happy to observe the transit. He thanked to Pokhara Astronomical Society (PAS) for organizing such important and historical program.

Observing transit

Asst. Prof. Kul Prasad Dahal vice president of Nepal Physical Society, Dr. Binay Kumar Jha from Department of Physics, Mr. Dilli Ram Baral teacher of Kumdini Homes, Mr. Bishal Poudel student of Paschimanchal HSS talked about the program and they  thanked organizer for conducting very important program and they wished good luck in coming days to PAS.

Participants observing transit

Mr. Aashish Bhandari hosted the program  till the end and Mr. Mahesh Thakuri talked on The Big Bang Theory in the middle of the program with interesting information. Mr. Jeevan Lamsal program coordinator thanked to Nepal Astronomical Society for providing the active support that made the program successful.

Mr. Suman Gautam president of Pokhara Astronomical Society (PAS) chaired the program. In the ending he advocated vote of thanks to all the participants and stated about the further programs of PAS in the coming days.

After the ending of formal program PAS distribute some solar eclipse glasses to the teachers of different school to make the observation for other students who were not participating in the venue from their school ground.