Astronomy clubs a buzz of activity as winter brings clear skies
Astronomy clubs a buzz of activity as winter brings clear skies
Millions of twinkling stars glued to the black curtain of the sky effortlessly turn telescopes on earth towards them. Gazing at the sky is a hobby practised by many Punekars, and astronomy clubs in the city get busy every winter as it brings clear skies.
Dr Prakash Tupe, a biochemist by profession, is an experienced sky observer. "I have been watching the sky through my telescope for the past 30 years. I have a small laboratory of my own and I study and record the movements in the sky," says the 60-year-old astronomer.
"Looking at the peaceful sky spreads some kind of warm feeling in my heart, so unlike the frantic struggle for existence commonly seen around us," he says.
However, there are problems faced by avid stargazers in the city. "A crystal-clear sky is something Pune lacks," says Dr Tupe. "This might be because of air pollution and industrial interference.u00a0 Also, due to natural conditions, Pune has only 4-5 months available during the winter when sky is less cloudy."
Thrilled by the total solar eclipse in 1980, Tupe got interested in the world of astronomy. "It was a three-minute-long total solar eclipse, which was seen in the Karnataka. It was amazing to see stars appearing during daytime."
Since then, Dr Tupe has never missed a single total solar eclipse, even if it involves travelling around the world.
"In 2001, I went to Africa to see the eclipse. Its duration was four minutes and it was fascinating to see the confusion among the animals and birds," he says.
Dr Tupe is also an author of a few books that unravel the mysteries of the sky, including Hobby of Sky Watching and Mysterious Sky.
Another astronomer, Arvind Paranjpe, says that with his telescope he has discovered a new asteroid.
"I harboured the hobby of observing skies from my early days and made that my profession. I was associated with the Indian Institute of Astrophysics," he says.
This 52-year old astronomer says that with good quality telescopes, we can see the minutest of details and movements in the sky.
"A lot of faint comets can be seen in the sky," he says.
Paranjpe and Dr Tupe have motivated many to take up stargazing as a hobby, and now there are clubs in the city dedicated to this. And a clear sky is all they wish for this winter for them to enjoy their brand of nightlife.
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