Astronomy in Brunei Darussalam
By Hazarry bin Haji Ali Ahmad
The Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam
Bandar Seri Begawan – A perfect alignment of the Earth-Moon-Sun bodies will occur on December 26, 2019, resulting in a spectacular annular solar eclipse visible in few cities of Saudi Arabia, India, Sri Lanka, Sumatra, Borneo and the Pacific Ocean .
Bandar Seri Begawan – On May 28 every year, at 5:16 pm local Brunei time (09:16 UT), the sun will be precisely overhead (at Zenith) in Makkah and exactly above the Kaabah. At that instance, the Sun in other areas will be directly aligned to the direction of Kiblat.
This phenomenon known as istiwa adzam is useful as an easy Islamic astronomical method to determine the exact direction of prayers (Kiblat) where only half part of the world that receives the daylight can apply this method.
Continue reading “Istiwa Adzam to check Kiblat on May 28”
Bandar Seri Begawan – Members of the Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam were at Bukit Agok, Tutong, for a practical session to look for the new crescent moon (hilal ~11 hour old) this evening of Sunday, May 5th in anticipation of the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan.
Members had the opportunities to learn setting up telescopes properly, scopes alignment to the sun or other bright objects, photographing and tracking the new moon. The western sky was pretty clear at sunset, and a sunspot was also visible on the sun.
Continue reading “PABD holds Practical Moon Sighting”Bandar Seri Begawan – On Dec 26, 2019, an annular solar eclipse will occur from few cities in Borneo, on the narrow track of the Moon shadow. Yes you have you be along the eclipse path to witness this special kind of eclipse of the sun – and we will bring you there! The celestial alignment happens when the moon passes in front of the sun, but the orbit of the moon is a little further away from the Earth and the moon does not completely cover the sun.
It will be a very spectacular sight, when a “ring of fire” or annulus surrounds the sun at central eclipse. Watch a “string of beads” (Baily’s Beads Effect) on the edges of the sun during the beginning of annularity eclipse. As the horizon darkens to deeper blue than normal, observe the animals reacting to the dramatic changes in the sky. Look for the brightest planet, Venus, shining east of the sun at mid-eclipse. Jupiter, Saturn and Mercury are up there too, but they are fainter and so will be harder to see. This is a rare celestial event as the next annular eclipse will take place in Borneo in 2031.
The visible surface of the sun in a fiery ring around the moon can still blind you. So be sure to watch indirectly, or with special filters. Do not look at the sun directly without eye protection at any time during this eclipse. PABD will provide each member with an eclipse glass (included in your package) for this expedition.
Continue reading “Annular Solar Eclipse-Chasing Expedition from 23rd until 28th December 2019”
Bandar Seri Begawan – First time ever Meteor Shower observation in Brunei Darussalam! Capture the dazzling Orionid shooting stars on October 19, 2019 at Bintudoh Greenspring EcoResort, a rural dark site in Tutong. Astronomy enthusiasts are welcome to join, and to note that space available are limited – Book Now!
If you are a high-school or university student, The International Astronomy and Astrophysics Competition gives you the unique opportunity to unleash your science skills and to apply them to challenging problems. Participants receive certificates, awards, cash prizes, global recognition, and more!
Qualification Round has opened! Deadline: 14. April 2019 – Use your astronomy skills and participate to win cash prizes and certificates!
Participate Today: www.iaac.space
More info :
Jessilyn Teh Jing Ying
IAAC Ambassador (for Brunei) and Student Member of The Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam
jessilynteh@gmail.com or whasapp +673 890 6043
Supermoon, Full Moon, Equinox? Check out this space infographic below for explanation. Catch the ‘Super Equinox Full Moon’ visible the whole night from Brunei Darussalam on 20th (Wednesday) and 21st (Thursday) March 2019.
Supermoon occurs on Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at 2:37 am at its closest distance (Perigee) of 359 345 km to Earth. The moon will be slightly bigger than a normal moon, but only by a few percents.
Spring Equinox occurs on Thursday, March 21, 2019 at 5:59 am. The sun rises exactly due East and sets due West. Day and night have the same length.
Full Moon occurs on Thursday, March 21, 2019 at 9:43 am. On this day, Earth is between the moon and the sun, and the moon is visible during the whole night.
Pusat Kepimpinan dan Pembelajaran Sepanjang Hayat, Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) sedang menjalankan kajiselidik yang bertujuan untuk mengenalpasti keperluan dan permintaan orang ramai terhadap kursus Sijil Falak Syari’e.
Oleh yang demikian, dipohonkan kerjasama orang ramai untuk menjawab kajiselidik tersebut dengan menekan link di bawah:
Setiap maklumat/butiran yang diberikan adalah SULIT dan akan dirahsiakan serta digunakan untuk tujuan kajian sahaja.
Sebarang pertanyaan dan maklumbalas, bolehlah menghubungi:
Pusat Kepimpinan dan Pembelajaran Sepanjang Hayat
Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali
No telefon (Office): 246 2000 sambungan 202/204
No telefon bimbit: +673 8254 374
Email: C4L@unissa.edu.bn
Dengan ini dimaklumkan kepada semua ahli-ahli PABD dan orang ramai yang berminat untuk menjadi ahli PABD bahawa Mesyuarat PABD 1/2019 akan bersidang pada bulan Mac tahun ini.
Sehubungan ini, menjunjung Pengiran / mempersilakan Doktor / Tuan / Puan untuk hadir pada Mesyuarat PABD kali 1 Tahun 2019 seperti berikut:
Pada: 22 Mac 2019 / 16 Rejab 1440H (Hari Jumaat)
Jam: 2.00 petang hingga 4.30 petang
Tempat: Bilik Senate, Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA)
Simpang 347, Jalan Pasar Baharu, Gadong
Negara Brunei Darussalam. BE1310.
RSVP: Sila maklum Hadir atau Tidak Hadir sebelum 20hb Mac 2019 melalui
www.bruneiastronomy.org/rsvp
Agenda Mesyuarat telah dihantar melalui e-mel setiap ahli.