Abbiamo un Posto Nell'Universo Seppur Infinitesimale - A Guest Post from Italian Blogger David Longo

« La filosofia è scritta in questo grandissimo libro che continuamente ci sta aperto innanzi a gli occhi (io dico l'universo), ma non si può intendere se prima non s'impara a intender la lingua, e conoscer i caratteri, ne' quali è scritto. Egli è scritto in lingua matematica, e i caratteri son triangoli, cerchi, ed altre figure geometriche, senza i quali mezi è impossibile a intenderne umanamente parola; senza questi è un aggirarsi vanamente per un oscuro laberinto. »(Galileo Galilei, Il Saggiatore, Cap. VI)Prove di tal genere potevano essere offerte solo dopo meticolose osservazioni e lo strumento che le avrebbe rese possibili era stato appena...

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Felicitation Ceramony & Forming of Old Anandian Astronomical Association

Yesterday (21st July 2009) was such an important day especially for the Astronomical Association of Ananda College, Colombo 10. This was due to few important facts. The first was that the felicitation ceremony for 2 elite old boys of Anandian Astronomical Association, who were to go to USA for higher studies. Namely the duo, Sachith Dissanayake and Praveen Janantha have contributed immensely for the upheaval of the association by every possible means.The function was was ceremoniously held at the ground floor of the Centenary Building if Ananda College from 2.00 pm onwards. The teachers in Charge of the Anandian Astronomical Association, Mr Dhammika...

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Physics Olympiad & Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiads concluded successfully

With a good preparation for the Olympiads, I had also applied for the both Olympiads this year. Since the both Olympiads were scheduled to be held on the 18th July, yesterday I went to the premises of the Physics Department of the University of Colombo.This year there was a considerable participation for the Physics Olympiad. And I was very glad at that. The Physics Olympiad was started at 9:10 am local time after the introduction by the chief examiner, who was Dr. S R D Rosa.Speaking about the Olympiad, I have to tell that the 2-hour paper was easier than expected. As per my experience last year, ( I sat for the Physics Olympiad in 2008 prior...

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A Guide for Astronomy & Astrophysics Olympiad 2009 (Part 2)

In this blog post I'll provide you guys the rest of the questions of the Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad as continued from the previous post at http://iya2009sl.blogspot.com/2009/07/guide-for-astronomy-astrophysics.html This will feature the second segment of the questions. As I have told you earlier, please don't hesitate to put a PM and get any explanation, answer known.11. The brightest star of the Scorpion constellation isa) Sirius b) Regulus c) Antares d) Polaris12. There a two stars A and B with apparent magnitudes 1 and 3, respectively. The correctexpression about their apparent brightness isa). Star A is 6 times brighter than the...

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A Guide for Astronomy & Astrophysics Olympiad 2009 (Part 1)

Today, I'm gonna provide you with some supplement for the Astronomy & Astrophysics Olympiad 2009, to be held on 18th of July 2009 at island wide locations. In fact I'm providing you with this past paper of Astronomy & Astrophysics Olympiad held in 2007. I think this could be a highly valued learning resource for those who are in need and taking part at the national and international level competitions. Please go through these questions and let me know how you feel. Don't hesitate to contact me if you have an inquiry whatsoever, related to these questions.1. Solar atmosphere can be divided into three major parts based on temperature. They...

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IYA 2009 Astronomy Lecture on The Doppler Effect and Expansion of the Universe at Anula Vidyalaya, Nugegoda

Last Friday I was invited to deliver a lecture at Anula Vidyalaya, Nugegoda. (Nugegoda is a suburb of capital Colombo located 20-minute drive away from Colombo). Normally the Astronomical Association of Anula Vidyalaya holds their weekly lectures on Fridays. There are 2 basic lecture scenarios dedicated for both junior and senior students.I think you guys are still aware of my fellow amateur astronomer Pulasthi Kanattage, who is also an astronomy lecturer. Usually it's him who lectures at Anula. However, as he had to go to Kandy for another astronomy project, I had to take care of his responsibility at Anula on that specific day (10th July 2009)As...

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Astronomy & Astrophysics Olympiad National Competition Underway

I feel it's great that we can have our students studied and concerned more on astronomy in this year of astronomy ( IYA 2009). The UNESCO proclaimed year will likely be more highlighted with the performances of students at the 3rd International Astronomy & Astrophysics Olympiad, to be held in next October in Iran. (May the conditions be good for everyone in Iran by October 2009)This blog post is about the readiness of Sri Lanka's team to tale part at the latter. We will first discuss basically and go deep soon into the topic.Well, the last 30th (June) marked the deadline for the applications for the 2nd National Astronomy & Astrophysics...

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Recalling the IYA 2009 Featured Scientist Eratosthenes

Hi all, In this post we'll pay attention on how Carl Sagan explains the contribution of Eratosthenes..This is such a great video and you are invited to watch this..And please find below the link to the previous post on IYA 2009 Featured Scientist EratosthenesThanks for watchi...

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IYA 2009 Featured Scientist of the Day - Aristarchus of Samos

From today's blog post I'll focus about Aristarchus who was a remarkable astronomer lived during the past.Aristarchus was a Greek astronomer and mathematician born in the Greek island of Samos. Later ha became an elite personality rendered towards humanity by the Greek locale. He was the first to tell that Earth rotates Sun and not vice versa. Aristarchus lived from 310 B.C. to 250 B.C. His idea about the heliocenticism was believed by nobody nor approved by any means whatsoever during his era. This was because everybody believed what they saw, which was sun rising and setting from either side, whereas Earth seemed to stand still.Aristarchus's...

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IYA 2009 Featured Scientist of the Day - Heraclitus

Heraclituswas a Greek philosopher who lived during the period of 6th Century B.C. He was able to calculate the diameter of the Sun and concluded it to be one third of a meter. Although he didn't succeed his contributions had been able to inculcate the development of astronomy. Th precise data about the Sun says that the diameter is 1.4 Million Km (870,000 Miles) as per the modern technology-abled data.However this is what wikipedia has to say about this ancient astronomer.{ Heraclitus is known for his doctrine of change being central to the universe, and that the Logos is the fundamental order of all. Today, he is famous for his influence on...

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IYA 2009 Featured Scientist of the Day - Eratosthenes of Cyrene

Today, we will talk about yet another remarkable individual in the history of Astronomy. It's none other than Eratosthenes of Cyrene. Since his outstanding measurements have been so lose to the precise data, Eratosthenes of Cyrene is credited with an acknowledgment of great accuracy.Eratosthenes of Cyrene was a Greek astronomer, mathematician, poet, athlete, and geographer, thus remaking his name in different careers. Eratosthenes was the first one ever to precisely calculate the circumference of the Earth. It's highly remarkable that he was able to perform this kind of achievement with his great abilities in Mathematics during his era, where...

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IYA 2009 Featured Scientist of the Day - Claudius Ptolemy

In this I'm gonna discuss the service rendered by Claudius Ptolemy for the upheaval of astronomy.Ptolemy, who lived in Alexandria was a great scientist who had done an immense service to the astronomy. He lived from 90 AD to 168 AD playing the role of mathematician, astronomer, geographer and astrologer.According to the Ptolemy's theory Earth was at the center of the universe thus leading to his theory ow Geo-centricity. He believed all other objects were around the Earth. He used geometrical sketches and diagrams to prove his fact. He had illustrated that Sun, Moon and other planets were orbiting the Earth, which was on the center. However we...

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