PURPOSE AND MISSION

Astronomy Club, Ahmedabad is an association of individual amateur astronomers and group of persons who share the same interest in astronomy and allied sciences encompassing all aspects of ancient, classical & modern astronomy, astrophysics, celestial photography, cosmology and space mission. Astronomy Club, Ahmedabad is Registered as a Society under Registration of Societies Act. 1890 (Regd. No. G/8511 and as a Trust Under Bombay Public Trust Act 1950(Reg. No.F/8360). The club maintains a network of such people interested in astronomy and allied sciences and contributed towards promoting interest in the field in form of observation, field trips, research etc. Astronomy club has been carrying out astronomy related activities since the past fifteen years. Listed below are some of the activities

Member of International Halley Watch 1985-86. Kept track of Comet Halley through-out the period it was visible through backyard scopes and conventional binoculars.

Have observed & photographed most major Naked Eye Comets like Wilson, Bradfield, Austin, Levy, Swift-Tuttle, Shoemaker Levy, Hale-Bopp, Hyakuttake, Temple Tuttle, LINEAR, LEE and more recently L/2000 WM-1.

Recorded and given public demonstration during the Mercury Transit (Rare event) in November 1992.

Recorded the collision of Shoemaker Levy 9 in July 1995 using a self made Radio Telescope.

Studied the Total Solar Eclipse in 1980 including the impact of superstition in humans. Also carried out photo metric studies of the Sun during the Total Solar Eclipse in 1995 and came out with a booklet. Conducted a workshop for the public in observing the Total Solar Eclipse in 1999 & studied animal behavior.

The members have covered & photographed all major Lunar eclipses during last decade including the "Blue Moon Eclipse" on January 31, 1999.

Webcast the First eclipse of the Millenium i.e. Total Lunar Eclipse in January 2001 "live" on the internet. Several overseas astronomers and astronomy club appreciated this webcast. No astronomy club in India has carried out such an activity till date.

Conducted two State Level Meet in 2001 & 2002 and All India Meet in 1993.

All Major Meteor showers were observed, recorded and data forwarded to Physical Research Laboratory, ISRO etc.

Participated in the Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony of Gujarat Council of Science City in 2001. Conducted practical astronomy and demonstration during the Science Day and Open House of PRL, Ahmedabad.

The club has given public demonstration and free and safe observations for the 1995 & 1999 Total Solar Eclipse, kept the public abreast, in the field of Astronomy by way of workshops, field trips and dissemination of information be it sighting of new Comets, occultation of celestial objects, space stations etc. at VASCSC, Social Forestry Center as well at various educational institutions in Ahmedabad.

The mission of this club shall be :

TO CREATE an awareness in the field of astronomy and foster a spirit of understanding & interest among the citizens.

TO ENCOURAGE, promote and enable communication and exchange of information among individual amateur astronomers & astronomy groups.

TO ASSIST members in fulfillment of their curricular, educational, charitable, entertaining missions and activities that support such missions..

TO PROMOTE the awareness & cultivate an interest in astronomy & space sciences in form of observation, field trips, research or pure entertainment..

TO UNITE and facilitate communications amongst professional astronomers, community, research & government organization & the industry.

TO PROVIDE a forum for open discussion in matters of common interest through meetings, workshops and seminars for the benefit of its bonafide members, community & public.

TO PUBLISH articles, newsletters, bibliographies, audio-visuals & reviews of media materials related to astronomy & allied sciences to keep its bonafide members & public abreast with the latest developments in the field & help in promoting astronomy & allied sciences as a form of science or cultivate it as a form of art, source of attraction, inspiration, entertainment or pure hobby.

TO INVESTIGATE and carry out research in the field from a responsible scientific point of view and disseminate factual information about the results from such inquiries to the scientific community and public.