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The University of the Philippines Astronomical Society is located in the PAGASA Observatory inside the UP Diliman Campus. It is where most night observations are held.

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NAW 2012

In celebration of the National Astronomy Week 2012, UP Astronomical Society with the partnership of the Philippine Society of Youth Science Clubs, presents a week long celebration this February - March, 2012!


National Astronomy Week (NAW) is an annual celebration every third week of February in the Philippines (Presidential Proclamation No. 130). Astronomy enthusiasts such as the University of the Philippines Astronomical Society, participate in the celebration through activities set for the public.

The celebration starts off with Lakbay Langit at Siena College of San Jose in Bulacan this February 18-19. UP Astronomical Society's Lakbay Langit is a roaming astronomy camp that allows students to discover the skies in a whole new light. Lectures, sky gazing activities, workshops, and fun games make up the itinerary of the event.

Lakbay Langit at Siena College of San Jose last 2011

(photos by Julee Olave and Liz Alindogan)

Next stop is the Dorm Visit at UP Kalayaan Residence Hall this February 21. UP Astronomical Society arranges visits to dormitories to be able to reach out to astronomy enthusiasts, as well as to be able to provide awareness of astronomy to students in the University.

But the fun does not stop there! PAGASA Astronomical Observatory's Open House on February 22 provides a medium for the public to get to visit and know more about us. Visitors get the chance to see the wonders of the sky through the Country's Largest Telescope named "Andre the Giant".

Through one of the main objectives of UP Astronomical Society, which is to broaden the awareness, interest, knowledge, and understanding of astronomy among students and the general public, that the first Big Bang! was created. Big Bang is an astronomy quiz show that caters to high school students across Metro Manila. It started during the National Astronomy Week of 2007 with the assistance of the DOST-SEI and of UP NISMED. This year, the event shall take place at UP NISMED too this February 25.

Take-off! on the other hand, is a bottle-rocket making competition for high school students, which aims to develop ingenuity in the minds of the students. This competition also commemorates the great help of rockets to launch the most important astronomical observation instruments such as space probes, space telescopes, and astronauts. This event will take place at the UP NISMED and at the UP Sunken Garden on February 25, simultaneous with the Big Bang!

Aside from these activities, UP Astronomical Society also hosts the Sidewalk Astronomy or Siliptala. This activity is a free public observation, which includes stargazing, telescope viewing, and basic astronomy lectures. The organization visits different locations and caters to people of various fields of experience. On March 3, another Sidewalk Astronomy experience shall take place at the UP-Ayala Technohub, Diliman, Quezon City.

Sidewalk Astronomy at Rizal Park by Erika Valdueza

Another Public Observation shall take place on this year's NAW celebration. The organization shall be hosting an observation on the Conjunction of planets Venus and Jupiter this February 26-27. UP Astronomical Society has since then hosted various observations, from meteor showers to lunar eclipses, which is open to the public for free.

And to top it all, the organization aims to reach out to communities who are unfortunately unable to experience astronomy related activities through its final event, Astrosoc Outreach. This shall take place on the 17th of March.

Hence, the celebration of the National Astronomy Week by the UP Astronomical Society shall be a astronomy experience-rich and fun-filled series of events! But none of these will be possible without the help of our partner in this week-long celebration, the Philippine Society of Youth Science Clubs. We would also like to thank our major sponsors Moonleaf Tea Shop and D' Great Rovers, and our minor sponsors The Mind Museum, Blessings Book Binding and Photocopying Services, and Heat Flow Construction Corporation.

Join us as we partake on this celebration. Feel free to contact Carlo 09065880080 or Beb 09277086047, email us at upastrosociety@gmail.com, or follow us at UP Astrosoc's Twitter Page or at UP Astrosoc's Official Fan Page.

Ad Astra Per Aspera! To the Stars through Difficulties!