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Press Release: PABD holds Inaugural Appreciation Ceremony & 4th AGM

by Dr Roslynna Rosli & Norjannah Mahmud. Members of the Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam (PABD)

PABD Group photo with the Honorary Advisors and the newly elected Executive members at the 4th AGM

Bandar Seri Begawan – Persatuan Astronomi Negara Brunei Darussalam (PABD) held its 4th Annual General Meeting (AGM) yesterday at the Higher Hotel, Kiulap on Sunday afternoon, January 10, 2021.

Present during the AGM were advisors to PABD, Yang Arif Awang Hj Johar bin Hj Mohammad, Judge of the Syarie Court and Dr Haji Norarfan bin Hj Zainal, Rector UNISSA. Also present were about 40 members of PABD and members of the public.

The ceremony began with the welcoming speech by Yang Di Pertua PABD, Awang Hj Mahadi bin Hj Md Tahir. The AGM was then officiated by Yang Arif Awang Hj Johar bin Hj Mohammad, one of the Advisor Board members of PABD.

2021/2022 Executive Committee of PABD
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Press Release: Brunei Darussalam Receives Telescopes for All Award by IAU

IAU.org – 17 communities of underrepresented groups around the world have been selected to receive telescopes signed by astronauts and Nobel Laureates. This is the first group of telescopes to be distributed by the Telescopes for All: Inspiring Stars & Stars Shine for Everyone Collaboration.

Winning proposal of “Making Space for All – MASA” by Nur Bazilah binti Zainal Abidin, member of the Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam, won the Telescopes for All award by the International Astronomical Union (IAU).

Telescopes for All is a collaboration between the International Astronomical Union Office for Astronomy Outreach (OAO), Stars Shine for Everyone (Sterren Schitteren voor Iedereen, SSVI) and Universe Awareness/University of Leiden. The programme seeks to broaden the horizons of children, parents and educators alike, to spark an interest in science, and to promote equal opportunities for pursuing a career in astronomy. The Telescopes for All programme is one of the legacy actions arising from the IAU100 celebrations and follows the successful collaboration in 2019. The 17 telescopes were donated by BRESSER.

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Tidak Lepas Peluang Saksi Gerhana Matahari Separa

Oleh : Rohani Haji Abdul Hamid
Foto : Hamzah Mohidin
Pelita Brunei Edisi Isnin 22 Jun 2020

KIARONG, Ahad, 21 Jun. – Kejadian gerhana merupakan antara tanda-tanda kebesaran
Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala yang mentadbir seluruh alam.

Di samping itu, gerhana juga adalah satu ibadat kerana kita dianjurkan melakukan
perkara-perkara yang berkebajikan, bersyukur atas kurnia itu dengan melakukan sembahyang, bersedekah, berzikir, berdoa serta menjauhkan daripada melakukan perkara-perkara mungkar, maksiat serta perbuatan syirik.

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Press Release: Partial Solar Eclipse on June 21, 2020

Bandar Seri Begawan – People in this country will have the opportunity to witness the rare sun eclipse on Sunday afternoon, June 21, 2020. The cosmic event will be expected to begin at 3.10 p.m. and ends at 5.23 p.m.

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon is perfectly aligned between the sun and the earth. During the partial eclipse, the moon never completely covers the sun.

Above: Looking West from Brunei Darussalam during the solar eclipse phenomena on Sunday, 21 June 2020. Picture shows the position of the sun and the moon in the sky.

The phenomenon of a partial solar eclipse will last for 2 hours 13 minutes, where throughout this event the Moon will obscure a small fraction of the sun. During the greatest eclipses, i.e. at 4.22 p.m., nearly 28 percent of the sun will be covered by the Moon.

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How can we effectively reduce the impacts of light pollution?

The International Astronomical Union – Without dark skies, astronomers are unable to receive the faint signals of light from distant objects in outer space. Dark skies are a critical scientific resource for understanding the mysteries of the universe. Dark skies are also an important part of the cultural and natural heritage of all civilizations.

Light pollution map of Brunei Darussalam by lightpollutionmap.info

Many astronomical observatories are built in remote locations in an effort to escape the light of cities and towns. Even so, these observatories are threatened by light pollution such as city lights encroaching upon the mountaintop of Mauna Kea, Hawaii. Mauna Kea Observatories is one of the best astronomical sites in the world. Lighting ordinances are an important tool to protect these sites from light pollution.

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