Eclipses without Borders: “Expedition to Northern Sri Lanka – Annular Solar Eclipse 2010” Thilina Heenatigala Project Coordinator - Astronomers Without Borders General Secretary – Sri Lanka Astronomical Association
Abstract Eclipses without Borders (EwB) is a new Astronomers Without Borders program designed to make it easier for amateur astronomy groups and the public worldwide to experience the beauty and wonder of solar and lunar eclipses. It will also provide an avenue to enable eclipse viewers to share their experiences via observing, webcasts, activities, photography and poetry. This poster highlights on a EwB effort, the "Expedition to Northern Sri Lanka – Annular Solar Eclipse 2010". The northern territory was not accessible to public for 30 years due to civil war in Sri Lanka, which made the annular solar eclipse of 15 January 2010 a perfect opportunity to connect with the North making it the largest astronomical event took place in Northern territory.
Outreach: • Pre awareness of the Solar Eclipse through news papers, blogs, websites and socialmedia. • Lecture on the science of Solar Eclipse and observing methods at the venue. • Observing opportunity for public and students throughout the eclipse. • Live webcast of the eclipse. • Live image sharing via socialmedia. • Live projection of the eclipse to the public at the venue.
Misconceptions: • No harm in directly looking at Sun. • Sun observing (worshiping) as a religious practice.
New Media: • Blogs – couple of blogs maintained pre and post event to share the updates and educational articles. • Website – a website in Sinhalese was maintained with important solar eclipse information. • Twitter – live twitting was carried during the eclipse. • Facebook – photos and updates were shared. • Webcast – a live webcast was carried.
Eclipse Team: • Thilina Heenatigala – Sri Lanka Astronomical Association • Anuradha Jayathilaka – SkyLK • Hasitha Karunaratne – SkyLK • Madusha Dedigamuwa – SkyLK • Imesh Perera – Astronomy & Space Study Center • Pulashthi Kanaththage – Astronomy & Space Study Center • Prasanna Deshapriya – Sri Lanka Astronomical Association • Thishan Pavithra - Astronomy & Space Study Center • Bhasura Gunawardhana – Royal College Astronomical Society • Shamil Asitha Kuruppu – Royal College Astronomical Society
Poster presented at the “Solar Eclipse Conference” (SEC2011) held in New Delhi, India from 15 – 17 December 2011.
For further information Please contact; thilina@astronomerswithoutborders.org More information on Eclipses Without Borders: http://www.astronomerswithoutborders.org/projects/o bserving-activities/eclipses-without-borders.html
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