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

Astronomical Optics Part 1

This is the first part in a series of astronomical optics lessons to address the lack of fundamental optics concepts introduced locally. Astronomy as a science is dependent on light, so be it in theory or application a significant understanding of optics must be available to an astronomer's knowledge base.

For the first discussion in the series, geometrical optics was introduced. Ray tracing and computations were made beginning from the use of the lens equation

1/f = 1/p + 1/q

up to the computations for combined lenses in an astronomical refractor. Aberrations and light scattering concepts were also discussed.

Stargate: Debunking a Mars Hoax

Stargate Episode 1: Debunking a Mars Hoax
The never ending Mars hoax has resurfaced again with the recent posts on social media of Mars appearing as big as the Moon on August 27. This podcast will try to explain just what does it take to have the red planet appear as big as the Moon.

Asteroid Day

The Guild joins the observance of Asteroid Day (30 June 2015), a global awareness movement to learn about asteroids.