PSHS–MC AstroSoc, PracAstro hold lunar eclipse AstroNight

BY RAPHY SANTOS AND CHARLY VIÑAS

Last November 8, students of Philippine Science High School–Main Campus (PSHS–MC) camped overnight at the school’s oval field for the 2022 Total Lunar Eclipse Observation Night.

The participating students were from the Astronomy Society (AstroSoc), PSHS-MC’s official astronomy club, and the Grade 10 Practical Astronomy (PracAstro) elective.

The event was spearheaded by teachers from the Integrated Science Unit, AstroSoc adviser Ma’am Ma. Andrea Carvajal, AstroSoc president Corel Lee, and PracAstro adviser Sir Rey Baguio.

The event officially commenced around 5 p.m.; participating students registered and attended an orientation for the event. The students then began assisting with the set-up of the telescopes at 6 p.m.

The moon observation began shortly after the telescopes were ready for use. As the eclipse reached its peak totality, AstroSoc began a livestream of the “blood moon” on Facebook.

Participants then stopped for a dinner break with food sponsored by the organizers.

After this, AstroSoc members and PracAstro students then split off into their respective activities. AstroSoc members participated in an Amazing Race game while PracAstro students continued their observation of the moon as it left its totality period and exited completely, along with Saturn, Jupiter, and several stars and constellations.

Several Celestron Powerseeker 114 telescopes were primarily used throughout the event, but three other PSHSowned telescopes were also set up: Virginia, a MEADE LX850 telescope and the one of the largest in the Philippines, Helen, a Celestron NexStar 8SE telescope, and a Sky-Watcher Virtuoso telescope.

The event was the first AstroNight since March of this year. AstroNights are overnight in-campus events that allow student participants to observe and appreciate the night sky.

According to Lee, AstroNights were once “one of the cornerstone [pre-pandemic] Pisay experiences,” and with the return of in-person club meetings, he wanted to bring them back.

“Even for those not interested in astronomy, the event is still such a unique experience because there are rarely any events when you camp in school grounds, gaze under the stars, and talk about life,” said Lee.

Lee also shared plans to hold AstroNights for Batches 2024 to 2027.

According to him, Batches 2026 to 2024 had missed out on having their own AstroNights due to the pandemic. Batch 2027, however, may have their own this year for their Earth Science subject.