The 10-day astronomical telescope making workshop commenced this morning at the Regional Science Center Coimbatore, today. The workshop is conducted in association with Vigyan Prasar, National Council for Science & Technology Communication, Indian Institute of Astrophysics and Tamil Nadu Science and Technology Center.
The workshop was inaugurated by Dr.Premavathy Vijayan, Vice Chancellor of Avinashilingam University for Women along with Dr.V.Ramakrishnan, Principal of Dr.N.G.P.College of Education in the presence of Dr.Aravind.C.Ranade, VIPNET, Coordinator from Vigyan Prasar, Noida, Dr.S.Sounderarajaperumal Executive Director, Tamil Nadu Science and Technology Centre, Dr.Alagirisamy Raju Project Director Regional Science Centre Coimbatore.
Dr.S.Sounderarajaperumal shared that "This workshop is a long-time dream for all of us here. After a lot of meticulous efforts this telescope making workshop has been held in Coimbatore. Dr.T.M.Alagiri Swamy Raju was the driving force behind this workshop. This 10-day workshop will not only be a great learning platform for the participants but also will enable them to interact with professionals in the field of astronomy.
With the advent of technology the astronomy field is growing at a very fast pace. Each day we come across some new invention and discovery. This workshop will enable the participants to make their own telescope and take it back with them".
Seconding him was Dr.Aravind.S.Ranade, who said "The government of India has been working tirelessly towards Digital India, and Skill Development missions. The various astronomical clubs which are recognized clubs of VIPNET have been selected for this workshop. In this one-of-its kind workshop, experienced resource person from VIPNET will assist the participants in creating a telescope'.
One of the resource person Tushar Purohit who will be training the participants said that VIPNET has been conducting series of similar workshop across the nation. 'The participants are representative from various astronomical clubs from schools or individual clubs.
They will be trained to make a reflector telescope which can magnify things 50 times more than our eyes.The zooming aspect of telescope will not have any specific distance.The participants will be able to view Jupiter, Saturn with its ring, Nebulae and many more astounding things.
The participants who learn the skill of making telescopes will in turn spread the technique of creating a telescope to others who could be school children, or public of any age group' said Tushar Purohit.
Resource faculties who represent various astronomical clubs, amateur astronomers from various schools and clubs across South India will be the participants through this 10-day long workshop. The workshop is being held at the Regional Science Centre Coimbatore and will conclude on 14th April.