Rashtriya Surya Mahotsava to be held at Bhopal from Today

Children, teachers and scientists from 31 states to take part

Bhopal:Monday, July 20, 2009:Updated 19:05IST Science Centre Gwalior is organising a Rashtriya Surya Mahotsava (National Sun Festival) at Bhopal from July 21 to 23 with a view to exposing children, teachers and scientists to the experience of the rare celestial event of total solar eclipse. Thousands of children from 32 states including Madhya Pradesh will take part in this event.
Senior scientists and experts including ex-UGC chairman and the chairman of the steering committee of National Curriculum Framework, Prof Yashpal and Shri Anuj Sinha will also attend the Mahotsava which will be held the cooperation of New Delhi-based National Council for Science & Technology Communication.
Rashtriya Surya Mahotsava will be organised at Oriental Group of Institutions, Raisen Road, Bhopal from July 21 to 23 during which many astronomy-related activities will be undertaken. On July 22, children, teachers and scientists will assemble at Bhimbethka at 5.30 am to watch and analyse solar eclipse scientifically.
Students and teachers from Andaman & Nicobar, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chandigarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Goa, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Orrisa, Pondicherry, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh will take part in Rashtriya Surya Mahotsava.

Rashtriya Surya Mahotsava

July 21, 2009
Understanding solar system through mobile planetarium.
Prof. Yaspal's talk with children
All India Astronomy quiz, lectures by scientists
Screening of films, activities with astronomy kits
July 22, 2009
Viewing of total solar eclipse, its study, live projection of eclipse through telescope, solar filter and digital cameras. Sharing of experience after eclipse is over, Astronomy Cultural Eve and screening of film.
July 23, 2009
Distribution of certificates and prizes, lecturers and concluding function.