Khagol Vishwa
Encyclopedia
Khagol Vishwa is an organization for amateur astronomers working in Pune
and Pimpri - Chinchwad Area, India
. It was established on 17th Nov. 1999, under Society Registration Act, 1960. Science popularization, observation and analysis of astronomical events, public star gazing programs
are some of the main activities of this organization.
and Pimpri Chinchwad area came together to observe that event scientifically. After observing that glorious event, all of them got inspired to do something different in Amateur Astronomy
. They decided to form an official group under which they could come together; discuss on various topics in Astronomy
, observe various events in the Sky and contribute to present amateur astronomical world. A group of 4 - 6 amateur astronomers in 1999 is now a well-known science exploring organization ‘Khagol Vishwa’. Khagol Vishwa is now working for a national Goal ‘Vision 2020’.
s like Jupiter
, Saturn
and Saturn Rings, Lunar
surface and as well as transits and oppositions
of Planets. These observations are visual and photographic.
s and plotting the light curves. These observations are reporting to the organizations- AAVSO. Khagol Vishwa has formed a special Variable Star Section (VSS) for detailed study in this field.
of stars by planets and asteroids, lunar occultation, transits, timing these events, Photography and CCD
observations for study of particular Astronomical body.
and Messier objects, comet
hunting, photography of deep sky through telescopes.
in society. Some of the activities under this section are
Some main projects under progress are, radio networking on the basis of HAM
for tele-education and communication under emergency, Mini weather stations in all main villages for knowing local environment, helpful for students and farmers, Creating electricity from bio gas, amateur mobile observatory for deep sky study and study of Near Earth Objects (NEO), Analyzing observations taken by all observers, publishing papers, making research projects.
. The organization has been studying the site for past 8 years and published the first report 2 years ago. The different aspects of Lonar crater has been studied by their members like, geology
] and structure, ecology
- flaura, fauna
, agriculture
, zoology
, sociological, water level problem, pollution
of Lonar Lake
.
Pune
Pune , is the eighth largest metropolis in India, the second largest in the state of Maharashtra after Mumbai, and the largest city in the Western Ghats. Once the centre of power of the Maratha Empire, it is situated 560 metres above sea level on the Deccan plateau at the confluence of the Mula ...
and Pimpri - Chinchwad Area, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. It was established on 17th Nov. 1999, under Society Registration Act, 1960. Science popularization, observation and analysis of astronomical events, public star gazing programs
Star party
A star party is a gathering of amateur astronomers for the purpose of observing the sky. Local star parties may be one night affairs, but larger events can last up to a week or longer and attract hundreds or even thousands of participants. Many regional star parties are now held annually and are an...
are some of the main activities of this organization.
History
In 1998, the Leonid meteor shower was expected with outburst. Some enthusiastic students from PunePune
Pune , is the eighth largest metropolis in India, the second largest in the state of Maharashtra after Mumbai, and the largest city in the Western Ghats. Once the centre of power of the Maratha Empire, it is situated 560 metres above sea level on the Deccan plateau at the confluence of the Mula ...
and Pimpri Chinchwad area came together to observe that event scientifically. After observing that glorious event, all of them got inspired to do something different in Amateur Astronomy
Amateur astronomy
Amateur astronomy, also called backyard astronomy and stargazing, is a hobby whose participants enjoy watching the night sky , and the plethora of objects found in it, mainly with portable telescopes and binoculars...
. They decided to form an official group under which they could come together; discuss on various topics in Astronomy
Astronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
, observe various events in the Sky and contribute to present amateur astronomical world. A group of 4 - 6 amateur astronomers in 1999 is now a well-known science exploring organization ‘Khagol Vishwa’. Khagol Vishwa is now working for a national Goal ‘Vision 2020’.
Planetary
Planetary observations are helpful to study changes in the surfaces and study of satellites of planetPlanet
A planet is a celestial body orbiting a star or stellar remnant that is massive enough to be rounded by its own gravity, is not massive enough to cause thermonuclear fusion, and has cleared its neighbouring region of planetesimals.The term planet is ancient, with ties to history, science,...
s like Jupiter
Jupiter
Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun and the largest planet within the Solar System. It is a gas giant with mass one-thousandth that of the Sun but is two and a half times the mass of all the other planets in our Solar System combined. Jupiter is classified as a gas giant along with Saturn,...
, Saturn
Saturn
Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun and the second largest planet in the Solar System, after Jupiter. Saturn is named after the Roman god Saturn, equated to the Greek Cronus , the Babylonian Ninurta and the Hindu Shani. Saturn's astronomical symbol represents the Roman god's sickle.Saturn,...
and Saturn Rings, Lunar
Moon
The Moon is Earth's only known natural satellite,There are a number of near-Earth asteroids including 3753 Cruithne that are co-orbital with Earth: their orbits bring them close to Earth for periods of time but then alter in the long term . These are quasi-satellites and not true moons. For more...
surface and as well as transits and oppositions
Oppositions
Oppositions was an architectural journal produced by the Institute for Architecture and Urban Studies from 1973 to 1984. Many of its articles contributed to architectural theory and many of its contributors became distinguished members in the architectural field.Contributors included: Diana Agrest,...
of Planets. These observations are visual and photographic.
Variable stars
Visual observations of variable starVariable star
A star is classified as variable if its apparent magnitude as seen from Earth changes over time, whether the changes are due to variations in the star's actual luminosity, or to variations in the amount of the star's light that is blocked from reaching Earth...
s and plotting the light curves. These observations are reporting to the organizations- AAVSO. Khagol Vishwa has formed a special Variable Star Section (VSS) for detailed study in this field.
Occultations
All types of eclipses, occultationOccultation
An occultation is an event that occurs when one object is hidden by another object that passes between it and the observer. The word is used in astronomy . It can also refer to any situation wherein an object in the foreground blocks from view an object in the background...
of stars by planets and asteroids, lunar occultation, transits, timing these events, Photography and CCD
Charge-coupled device
A charge-coupled device is a device for the movement of electrical charge, usually from within the device to an area where the charge can be manipulated, for example conversion into a digital value. This is achieved by "shifting" the signals between stages within the device one at a time...
observations for study of particular Astronomical body.
Deep sky
This section works for study of faint objects in the night sky. Observations of NGSNGS
NGS could stand for:* the National Garden Scheme, a British organisation which promotes the opening of private gardens for charity.* the National Geodetic Survey, a service operating under the control of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration...
and Messier objects, comet
Comet
A comet is an icy small Solar System body that, when close enough to the Sun, displays a visible coma and sometimes also a tail. These phenomena are both due to the effects of solar radiation and the solar wind upon the nucleus of the comet...
hunting, photography of deep sky through telescopes.
Science popularization section
This section works to popularize basic sciences and astronomyAstronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
in society. Some of the activities under this section are
Khagol Prasar Abhiyaan
Translated as Astronomy Popularization Movement, under this, khagol vishwa conducts lectures on astronomy in schools, colleges as well as open public lectures. There are also Star Gazing Programs once or twice a month.Pimpri-Chinchwad science congress
A district level science congress is organised every alternate year. The aim of this event is to spread the awareness about fundamental sciences in high school students and to discuss local problems and issues and to encourage students to develop the science and technology to solve them.Research and development section
The aim of formation of this section is to create atmosphere of research and development (R&D) in India on amateur level. It will be helpful to encourage more and more students to do something, to find something for our society and Nation even if he/she is not with science background and working in different types of fields.Some main projects under progress are, radio networking on the basis of HAM
Ham
Ham is a cut of meat from the thigh of the hind leg of certain animals, especiallypigs. Nearly all hams sold today are fully cooked or cured.-Etymology:...
for tele-education and communication under emergency, Mini weather stations in all main villages for knowing local environment, helpful for students and farmers, Creating electricity from bio gas, amateur mobile observatory for deep sky study and study of Near Earth Objects (NEO), Analyzing observations taken by all observers, publishing papers, making research projects.
Instrumentation section
No research can be done without proper instruments. Khagol Vishwa tries to buy advance instruments necessary for its activities and to make them available to students and members. Some of these instruments are made by members themselves under Research and Development section.Lonar conservation project
Khagol Vishwa is one of the few organisations all over India who are working to create social awareness about the Lonar lake and also campaign against its environmental degradation. The organization has been studying the site for past 8 years and published the first report 2 years ago. The different aspects of Lonar crater has been studied by their members like, geology
Geology
Geology is the science comprising the study of solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which it evolves. Geology gives insight into the history of the Earth, as it provides the primary evidence for plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and past climates...
] and structure, ecology
Ecology
Ecology is the scientific study of the relations that living organisms have with respect to each other and their natural environment. Variables of interest to ecologists include the composition, distribution, amount , number, and changing states of organisms within and among ecosystems...
- flaura, fauna
Fauna
Fauna or faunæ is all of the animal life of any particular region or time. The corresponding term for plants is flora.Zoologists and paleontologists use fauna to refer to a typical collection of animals found in a specific time or place, e.g. the "Sonoran Desert fauna" or the "Burgess shale fauna"...
, agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
, zoology
Zoology
Zoology |zoölogy]]), is the branch of biology that relates to the animal kingdom, including the structure, embryology, evolution, classification, habits, and distribution of all animals, both living and extinct...
, sociological, water level problem, pollution
Pollution
Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into a natural environment that causes instability, disorder, harm or discomfort to the ecosystem i.e. physical systems or living organisms. Pollution can take the form of chemical substances or energy, such as noise, heat or light...
of Lonar Lake
Lonar Lake
Lonar Lake is a saltwater lake at Lonar in Buldana district, Maharashtra, India, which was created by a meteor hitting the Earth during the Pleistocene Epoch. The impact crater thereby formed is the only hypervelocity meteoritic impact crater on basalt rock. A lake that evolved in the resulting...
.