From September until October, six Bruneian groups comprise of 30 members (see participants list here) were working under IASC Asteroid Search Campaign co-organized by the Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) and the Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam (PABD).

During the campaign, participants from Brunei and around the world used an advanced astrometry software to analyse photographs and real sky data provided by the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (Pan-STARRS) telescope in Hawaii.

It involved observing the Near-Earth objects and Main Belts asteroids and reporting for unknown asteroid detections. Information from these preliminary findings will be further study which can take up to 5 years to define the asteroids’ orbit by professional astronomers.

The preliminary asteroid detections by the six Bruneian teams – the Astronomical Society of Brunei (PABD), Hulubalang Brunei, Laksamana Brunei, Panglima Brunei, Pateh Brunei and Semaun Brunei – were confirmed in reports produced by IASC, Hardin-Simmons University, on Thursday, November 04, 2021 (see reports here).

The campaign offers opportunity for people in Brunei to discover new asteroids. It serves to promote scientific research by working on the real time data collected by astronomical observatories to detect any new asteroids.

Next year, PABD will organize the first All-Brunei Darussalam Asteroid Search campaign in collaboration with IASC which will commence from January. It will run regularly and open for citizen scientists and students to enable the discovery and tracking of more asteroids.

This way, it also inspires a growing interest for science amongst our community especially our students.

For more information and registration of the asteroid search campaign: www.bruneiastronomy.org/asteroidsearch

Press Release

Assalamu’alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem

Alhamdulillah Rabbil ‘Alameen, Wabihiee Nasta’eenu ‘Alaa Umuuriddunya Wadden, Wassalaatu’ Wassalaamu ‘Ala Asyrafil Mursaleen, Sayyidina Muhammaddin, Wa’alaa Aalihee Wasahbihee Ajma’een

Our Respected Mr Suresh Bhattarai, Chairman of Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO),

Notable Mr Hazarry bin Haji Ali Ahmad, Secretary-General of the Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam (PABD),

My fellow Executive Committee of PABD,

Distinguished participants,

Energetic NASO mentors,

Ladies and Gentlemen;

• It gives me a great pleasure to welcome all of you to this evening first Asteroid Hunting workshop jointly organized by the Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) and Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam (PABD).

• Firstly, thank you NASO for your continuous support. This session is our first monumental step in our long partnership (MoU) journey.

• This workshop will provide us not only essential knowledge in searching space rocks but also a great opportunity to share experiences and success stories of Nepal quest in asteroid discoveries from our facilitator and young mentors. We hope that everyone will gain new insights, knowledge and skills in your most loved passion – astronomy.

• Now, PABD is gearing for another biggest national campaign in Asteroid Hunting under the guidance of our dear Nepal family NASO, in particular Mr Suresh, and the International Astronomical Search Collaboration (IASC). In August last month, we are very lucky that three of PABD members (Qawiem, Sonny, Hazary) were trained by NASO, and now they are involved in Nepal campaign. In October, we will see them in the first Brunei participation in the International Asteroid Search Campaign.

• We are so fortunate, that after discussion with NASO, all PABD and participants today will have their chance to taste real asteroid huntings in October campaign next month by NASO. Thank you Mr Suresh for giving this opportunity.

• We are targeting, InshaAllah, the first All Brunei Darussalam Asteroid Search campaign to be launched in early next year, January 2022. And this 2-day training will be your bridge in your road of searching your first asteroid.

• After this training, I hope that you will encourage more of family members, your little brother and sister, and friends to become Bruneian Citizen Scientists, and also to actively join our Brunei Search campaign that will run annually starting next year.

• I like to announce a good news that all of you will be in the first group to represent 10 Bruneian teams in our Asteroid Search campaign in collaboration with IASC which is expected in February-March 2022.

• Finally, I wish to thank our partner NASO for making this brilliant training happening. I would also like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to our project management, Bazillah and team, for your great effort in the planning to ensure the successful implementation of our Citizen Science programme.

• Most importantly, to all participants, it will be a very long 6 hours of hard work to learn in this course, but it will pay off forever! I am proud that you are our first Brunei’s asteroid hunters. So please enjoy tonight’s workshop! We hope for dozens of new asteroid discoveries soon and to unlock your personal achievement, and make proud of our beloved country Brunei Darussalam.

Good luck and Happy hunting!

Wabillahit Taufeq Walhidayah, Wassalamu ‘Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.

Bandar Seri Begawan – The President of the Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam’s (PABD), Haji Mahadi bin Haji Tahir and Chairman of Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO), Mr. Suresh Bhattarai, approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between both astronomy communities on Monday, August 16, 2021.

Both organizations vowed a 15-year partnership to publicize and collaboratively implementing four (04) key areas in the field of astronomy. Firstly, to implement data driven citizen science projects such as Asteroid Search program. They also agreed on to establishing coordinated communication networks in both countries. The MoU will facilitate in fundraising activities to support the implementation of the projects. PABD and NASO will implement support astronomy development in both countries on other areas of mutual interest.

The joint activities to be carried out under this MoU will lead to (i) a strong scientific community in the two countries; (ii) new scientific results and discoveries; (iii) Capacity building through increased scientific interaction and training; (iv) joint projects etc. particularly in the field of astronomy.

Both NASO and PABD realize that astronomical data and technology have the potential to be applied in various fields to benefit society. Both organizations are motivated to use astronomical data for education, development, and public outreach. The purpose of this collaboration is to bring together complementary resources, networks and expertise to advance development through astronomy in both countries.

The online signing ceremony was attended by executive managements and members from both organizations.

Press Release

Download Press Release in Malay & English below:

Members of PABD are invited to the signing ceremony which can be viewed via Zoom app at www.bruneiastronomy.org/mou or here.