A Feast at Science and Technology Museum

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Planets Venus and Jupiter, far-distant galaxies and nebulae will provide a feast to sky-watchers on the night of February 19 with the Kerala State Science and Technology Museum (KSSTM) at PMG planning a ‘Star Night’.The event will kick off at 7 pm and will conclude at a 2 am on February 20, KSSTM director Arul Jerald Prakash said. ‘’Why we have planned it now is that February offers the clearest view of the night sky. A number of events are planned, in fact,’’ he said. And it is all open to the public.Venus and Jupiter will be observed through telescopes. In addition to this, galaxies, binary stars, star clusters and nebulae - gas clouds which are the birthplaces of stars - too will be observed. Binary stars are two-star systems, unlike our sun.KSSTM is also planning some basic experiments on February 19 night. "The experiments will be on the motion of planets Venus and Jupiter,’’ he said.KSSTM will be training all its ‘guns’ at the sky on D-day, the director said. Two 14-inch and 11-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes plus smaller telescopes and binoculars will be in use to view the sky. One-hour classes are also planned on basic astronomy by Mumbai Planetarium director Aravind Paranjpe and Krishna Warrier. KSSTM is joining hands with Astro Kerala and Breakthrough Science Society for organising the event.For registrations, contact the reception of KSSTM. Tel: 0471-2306024, 2306025.