In Focus

This June 2018, GAIA-ORACLE released two new educational resource materials as part of the In Focus series of free astronomy references. This is a move by the group to create and distribute open-access references on astronomy. The first in the series was The Sun in Focus which was released in celebration of the International SunDay event hosted by the SolarActivity Worldwide Affiliates Group. The second material was Asteroids in Focus which was released in celebration of the Asteroid Day.

In observance of the goals of ORACLE, the next focus of the series can be decided by its readers. Interested individuals and organizations may also volunteer to write a chapter or two depending on their topic of expertise or field of experience.

Astronomy PH

Astronomy PH is the very first collaborative e-zine in astronomy for the Philippines. It is a community-based magazine that allows readers, organizations, and institutions to communicate their activities and insights to the rest of the astronomy community and the general public. The e-zine is open-source, non-profit and is non-discriminatory, thus allowing free access to participation and information irregardless of affiliation.

Astronomy PH is a project initiated by the GAIA-Open Research And Collaborative Learning Experiences (ORACLE), and is published quarterly. Submissions can be made at the GAIA-ORACLE Facebook Page or through nmarigza@gmail.com. Deadline of submissions are during the last weeks of February, May, August, and November.

Issues can be downloaded for free at the GAIA Resource Page, or through Facebook.

Asteroid Day PH

On this day in 1908 the Tunguska impact happened. An asteroid (estimated to be 120 feet across, and 220 million pounds) impacted near the Podkamennaya, Tunguska River in Siberia.

Image from Leonid Kulik's expedition of the Tunguska impact site.

In 2015, a global awareness campaign was made where people from around the world came together to learn about asteroids and what we can do to protect Earth. This became known as the Asteroid Day movement. There are over 100 signatories for the Asteroid Day including prominent figures in the international astronomical community, and also the members of GAIA.

As part of our commitment to the Asteroid Day movement, the guild met in 2015 to have a lecture on asteroids. Today, the guild came together for a lunch meeting to discuss potential researches that can be done on the topic of asteroids. GAIA has been the only registered participant within the first two years of celebrating Asteroid Day, and the guild hopes to be able to setup a large public event for 2017.

Ignite 2016

Last February 29, 2016 a Solar Astronomy Workshop entitled Ignite2016, was held at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines - Laboratory High School. This is a project of PUPLHS-ASTRA (Astronomy, Science and Technological Research Association) in cooperation with GAIA, UP Astronomical Society and Manila Street Astronomers. The activities included a lecture and Q&A, a virtual tour, a discussion and telescopes and solar observation.

GAIA at Keys School Manila

GAIA kick starts the opening of the National Astronomy Week with a valentines viewing of the planets at Keys School Manila.

The GAIA team gathered together on the evening of February 13 to do their regular participation in the free telescope viewing events of the Manila Street Astronomers at the UP Town Center. Armed with a Maksutov and an SCT, they eventually went to Keys at 3:00 in the morning to meet up with the excited students and teachers. The event was organized through the coordination of Norman Marigza, Luna Marie Garcia of SMILE group, and teacher Sandy Adriano of Keys. Special mention also goes to Gary Andreassen of the MSA who wanted to join with the GAIA team and lent us his SCT.

Telescope Viewing at UPTC

GAIA continues to take part in the advocacy of the Manila Street Astronomers as we setup at the amphitheater of Ayala Mall's UP Town Center. These activities are geared towards sidewalk astronomy as well as providing the members with an exposure to public events. Also joining the cast and crew of the MSA  event was the University of the Philippines Astronomical Society and the Junior Philippine Physics Society.

The guild proudly supports Manila Street Astronomers' goal of uniting the local astronomical community and advocating astronomy and other STEM areas.

GAIA joins Manila Street Astronomers

The members of the guild were at Blue Bay Walk last Saturday (28 Nov 2015) to assist and facilitate the free telescope viewing of the Manila Street Astronomers.

The Manila Street Astronomers is a non-profit outreach astronomy group composed of volunteers from the local astronomical community. As such, the guild has committed to take part and assist the MSA in anyway possible. This endeavor allows the members of the guild to reinforce the outreach and observation side as well as serve as training ground for developing public speaking skills by engaging participants in the free telescope viewing.

Image credits:
Gary Andreassen and Chris Barja
Manila Street Astronomers