Astronomy is one of the oldest sciences concerned with the study of planets, stars, galaxies & other celestial objects and phenomena. From time immemorial the night sky has fascinated many cultures in the past including the Indians, Babylonians, Egyptians, Chinese & the Greeks and it continues to fascinate us even today. Vigyan Prasar has been organizing a number of activities around the astronomy for the last 20 years. In the past, a number of nationwide campaigns were organized on themes like Eclipses and Transits e.g. in years 2004, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2012. As part of the campaign, a wide variety of the resource material in the form of special articles in Dream 2047 and VIPNET Newsletter, posters, booklets, Kits and CDs were produced, and series of training programmes were organized throughout the country.
Once again, a rare opportunity to witness the Annular Solar Eclipse is approaching on 21st June 2020. Annular Solar Eclipse of 21st June is starting its annularity from the Central African Republic in the morning hours and then proceeds to Congo, Ethiopia, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Pakistan, India, China and Taiwan. It will end in the evening in the South Pacific Ocean. On 21st June, only four states of Northern India will witness the annularity viz. Rajasthan, Haryana, grazing part of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. However, entire India will witness the partial phase of the eclipse.
Vigyan Prasar would like to utilize this opportunity to popularize science in general and astronomy in particular among the people. We at Vigyan Prasar wants as many as people possible to learn the science behind this nature’s most spectacular celestial event. As you are aware, since March 22, 2020 entire India is under lockdown situation and we have the restriction to follow social distancing and other. And hence we are herewith providing you all the resource material available on astronomy and eclipse through our web portal.
