Himastron ITB Celebrated World Space Week By Astara Ganesha 2015
By Abdiel Jeremi W
Editor Abdiel Jeremi W
contribution to the betterment of the human condition, which was celebrated in many kinds of events worldwide from Sunday to Saturday (04-10/10/15). As a student association that studies Astronomy, Himpunan Mahasiswa Astronomi (Himastron) ITB aims to socialize Astronomy knowledge, thus participating in World Space Week 2015 via Astara Ganesha. "Astara Ganesha's purpose is to encourage high school students' to study Astronomy through Astronomy Olympiad and to socialize Astronomy with artistic exhibition containing ITB Astronomy student' original works," Wendi Cahya Setiadi said, as the Chairman of Himastron ITB period 2015/2016. Astara Ganesha consists of Astronomy Olympiad (for West Java high school students), public lecture, exhibition, and celebration of Himastron's 50th Dies Natalis. Held on Saturday-Sunday (10-11/10/15), this event was held in ITB Ganesha campus. Presenting the 'Finding New Earth' theme, Himastron ITB presented the collection of their members' works to plenty visitors. The Celebration Of World Space Week And Golden Jubilee
116 contestants had participated in Astronomy Olympiad that was split into three rounds, which are theory, data analysis, and quiz. Besides Olympiad, the contestants who are high school students also earned some insight concerning Astronomy field of National Science Olympiad by attending public lecture with the Head of Astronomy Olympiad Coach Team, Dr. rer. nat. M. Ikbal Arifiyanto as the speaker. Yet, the biggest enthusiasm was shown in the exhibition. Himastron provided Solar observation on the daytime and night sky observation after the Sun had set. In commencing the observation, they used Barride Optics telescopes with 900 mm
focal length, which were used by public visitors, Olympics, and ITB students. Moreover, there is an exhibition of many astrophotography images by ITB Astronomy students and a dome that serves as a mini planetarium. Astrophotography is a way of Himastron members in appreciating the amazing view of sky, both in night and day, and also serves to express their thankfulness of the existence of this universe. On the other side, visitors are given chance to see the constellation as if it is donethrough an astronomer's eye in the mini planetarium.
This annual event that is first held in 2013 is also close enough with Himastron's anniversary. Himastron ITB was found in 1965 and celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Hence, this momentum is used by the committee to arrange a reunion that invites every member of Himastr
on from every generation since it was found. "This event is good enough in organizing a reunion. I hope that alumni outreach will be much better in the future," Ahmad Bismillahi said, as an alumnus of ITB Astronomy study program and Chairman of Himastron period 2013/2014.
