“Anyone can become an astronomer.”
This was the comment made by Dr Nalin Samarasinha of the Planetary Science Institute in the United States during the launch of the new South Pacific Astronomers Society of Enthusiasts (SPASE) platform by the University of Fiji.
“No higher training in astronomy is required to be an amateur astronomer, hence you do not need to have a master’s or PhD, but you should have dedication,” he said.
“Amateur astronomers can do astrophotography and it requires a digital camera. If you had a telescope, it would be better.”
He explained the best time in Fiji to monitor variable celestial phenomena would be from June to September when there were fewer clouds in the skies.
“If you are doing something scientifically, there are a lot of things because of your geographic location, which would be helpful.
“Of course, you would need to have a telescope to do this.
“You can measure the brightness variation due to rotation of asteroids, variations of coma features of comets, brightness variation of variable stars and variable atmospheric features of Jupiter.”
University of Fiji’s vice-chancellor Professor Shaista Shameem said the university was taking a holistic look in its strategy for the next five years.
“The university is exploring new frontiers in learning and teaching,” she said.
“SPASE is part of a larger project that the university is engaged in called the Drua Voyage Project, which offers a short course on celestial navigation to facilitate the university’s focus on climate change resilience in Fiji as part of our community work.”
The interim president of the Society and Dean of the School of Business and Economics, Professor Ranasinghe Amaradasa, said the society aimed to help students who were afraid of science subjects, particularly mathematics and physics, and to increase their interest in science.
