What started as a gathering of like-minded people in Goa to see and appreciate the night sky is today a premier institution that has been instilling a love for astronomy, not only among locals but also among tourists.
The Association of Friends of Astronomy (AFA), now 42 years old, was founded by the late Percival Noronha, a retired bureaucrat and local historian. It is dedicated to unravelling the mysteries of the universe to those eager to know about the cosmos.
President AFA, Satish Nayak, has been continuing in the vision of his mentor Percival Noronha by adding more celestial wonders to the astronomical observatory based on the terrace of the Junta House on the 18th June Road in Panjim.
GOA'S EARLY CONNECTION TO ASTRONOMY
For those not aware, on November 10, 1618, a Jesuit priest and astronomer named Wenceslaus Pantaleon Kirwitzer used a telescope for the first time in Asia to view a comet from the Rachol Seminary in Goa.
"This was the first telescopic observation made on Indian soil and the telescope placed at the Rachol Seminary was one of the earliest in the world, Galileo Galilei having just developed the instrument a few years earlier in Italy," Nayak informed.
"Goa's rich observational history dates back to the Portuguese, who had built the first maritime institute in Sagres, Algarve, which had a huge wing dedicated to astronomy and astronavigation. The Portuguese navigators, being seafarers, relied heavily on astronomy for navigation," he said and added, "No doubt they brought it to Goa with them."
THE FIRST IN INDIA
The observatory in Panjim is the first independent public astronomical observatory in India under a State government. "Even though it is funded by the Department of Science and Technology, there is no government employee here. We have all the freedom to run it without any compulsions. We thank the government for this freedom which allows us to work with all the passion and without any restraint," Nayak said.
"This observatory is unique because there is no such existing institution in India. The astronomical observatories in India are mostly research-oriented and some are affiliated to science centres," he added.
HOW AFA SPREAD THE LIGHT
From Arambol to Canacona, AFA has placed telescopes in nine locations, including schools, from Margao Ravindra Bhavan and Mapusa's Saraswat College to Vasco's famous shopping centre, 1930 Vasco.
"We believe in learning by doing, hands-on. During the first visit itself, guests are encouraged to use our telescopes, experiment and discover the wonders of the night sky," Nayak said.
"Our practical approach encourages curiosity, exploration and learning. We invite people to come and actively participate in stargazing by even tinkering with the equipment," he added.
KNOW ABOUT THIS TELESCOPE
The biggest telescope with the AFA currently is the 14-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, which is a very sophisticated piece of equipment and can be operated with a remote control. The remote control can be focused on a particular star or target and the telescope automatically turns in that direction.
"The telescope is placed on a dome which also can be operated with a remote control. This advanced telescope enables us to offer unique educational opportunities to college students for conducting projects on solar cycles and celestial phenomena," Nayak informed.
This telescope was donated by California-based Goans through The Goa Sudharop group.
TOURISTS TOO COME HERE
The astronomical observatory has been attracting tourists from countries like Britain and Russia, and many domestic tourists as well. The Public Astronomical Observatory in Panjim is mentioned on the Goa tourism website, Lonely Planet magazine and many other guidebooks.
"The English just love astronomy, so before Covid we used to have a whole lot of charters coming to the terrace of Junta House for skygazing. However, post-Covid we don't see the British much, but the Russians are coming. Despite the language barrier, the majority of these Russians who come from Morjim in North Goa have a strong fascination for astronomy," Nayak said.
EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
AFA hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including regular sky observations, workshops, lectures and film screenings.
"Every year, the sky observations begin on November 14 and end on May 31. But throughout the year, almost every Saturday, we hold workshops, lectures and talks. Then we invite outside resource persons for lectures and also have film screenings," he informed.
AFA also hosts the annual Astro Film Festival, which showcases astronomy documentaries and space films. The films are also screened at all the other AFA centres across Goa. This festival is held after the IFFI and Sci-Fi film fests.
FACILITIES AND OUTINGS
Most of the activities of AFA are held in Panjim as the centre is fully equipped. The facility at Junta House includes a 75-capacity audio-visual AC room. Every year, under its Astro Club, members engage in astronomy-related activities. Also, under its Astro Kids' Club, children can participate in unique programmes.
AFA also has a quiz club, an astrophotography club, a science forum and a science book club.
"Beyond that, AFA organises monthly outings to Chorla Ghat on the border of Goa for night observations, especially in the winter months, as Panjim's light pollution is not favourable for deep sky stargazing," said Nayak.
AFA'S STAR MESSAGE
By advocating astronomy for all, and continually doing more with less, AFA has been fostering curiosity, critical thinking and love for the natural world. It believes that the pursuit of knowledge transcends barriers of age and background, and keeps its doors open for everyone who wants to know things beyond the Earth. "One Earth, One Sky" is AFA's message of universal harmony.