Goan schools await a stellar day on Wednesday when India's ambitious mission – Chandrayaan 3 – will make a soft landing on the Moon on August 23, 2023, at 5.27 pm.
The Directorate of Education has issued a circular to schools, asking them to shift school hours on August 23 from 2 pm to 6 pm. The circular makes it compulsory for all students to attend the classes.
The circular also stated that the event will be broadcast live from 5.27 pm onwards on various platforms, including the official ISRO website and DD National TV channel.
However, according to ISRO, in case any factor regarding the lander module appears unfavourable, the landing will be postponed to August 27. The decision regarding the landing will be taken based on the health of the lander module and the conditions on the Moon.
FRIENDS OF ASTRONOMY EVENTS
Meanwhile, the Association of Friends of Astronomy (Goa) will be celebrating the much-awaited Chandrayaan 3 landing with a host of astronomical events coinciding with this historical event. On August 23, at 5.45 pm, it will show live the Chandrayaan 3 landing on a big screen at the Public Astronomical Observatory, Panjim.
On August 24, it will be holding a film screening of Beyond the Big Bang at the Saraswat College, Khorlim, Mapusa, at 7 pm. The documentary film explores how mankind came to understand the universe and its origins in the Big Bang.
On August 26, the Public Astronomical Observatory, Panjim, will have a moon quiz and film screening on Lunar Science at 7 pm.
On August 27, at 8 pm, the Public Astronomical Observatories at Panjim and Margao (Ravindra Bhavan) will give astronomy buffs the opportunity to view the rare spectacle of the opposition of Saturn through telescopes and enjoy the biggest and brightest view of Saturn, its rings and satellites.
On August 31, again, at both these observatories, one will be able to see the Sturgeon Super Blue Moon, the brightest Supermoon of the year. All these events are free and open to the general public.
