In order to make astrotourism more accessible, researchers working between the University of Namibia and the University of Oxford have come together to develop an introductory course which will be run via Zoom, free of charge. The course will consist of five, 1.5-hour sessions, and will be delivered on Tuesdays at 4pm CAT (UTC+2) on the following dates:

24th August (16:00-17:30 CAT / 22:00-23:30 Brunei Time) – Introduction to astronomy
31st August (16:00-17:30 CAT / 22:00-23:30 Brunei Time) – Astronomy facilities and research in Southern Africa
7th Sept (16:00-17:30 CAT / 22:00-23:30 Brunei Time) – Astronomy for development and astrotourism
14th Sept (16:00-17:30 CAT / 22:00-23:30 Brunei Time) – Stargazing and indigenous astronomy in Namibia
21st Sept (16:00-17:30 CAT / 22:00-23:30 Brunei Time ) – Light pollution and dark skies for sustainable development

This course serves as an introduction to several relevant topics relating to astrotourism, and sessions 2 and 4 will largely be in the context of Namibia. No prior knowledge is needed to take part in this course, and where possible we will share additional resources where you can learn in more depth. This course is not officially accredited, and cannot be used as credits towards other programmes. All sessions will be recorded, and material (PDFs and slides) will be made freely available to participants afterwards.

If you are interested in taking part, complete this registration form by Wednesday 18th August; our capacity is 300 participants. Here https://forms.gle/c6okSDfttXCvLmTo8

The information you provide in this form will be used for the sole purpose of contacting you about the course, and for understanding the demographics of those taking part. Your personal information will not be shared in any way and if you agree, will be kept for evaluation purposes for one year. Otherwise, it will be deleted after the course has been completed.

The course will be delivered by: Dr Hannah Dalgleish (University of Namibia, University of Oxford); Dr Meghan Hughes (University of Oxford). And was prepared with the additional help from: Dr Getachew Mengistie (University of Namibia). This project is led by Prof. Garret Cotter (University of Oxford), Dr Michael Backes (University of Namibia) and Dr Eli Kasai (University of Namibia), and has been funded by the Global Challenges Research Fund (ST/S002952/1) and Exeter College, Oxford in the UK.

• IAU OAO NOC Brunei Darussalam

The 2021 project received 225 applications from 54 countries with the active support of the IAU National Outreach Coordinators (NOCs). The selected proposals will bring telescopes to socially deprived communities in Poland; help tackle educational disparities and improving access to STEM for women and girls in Botswana and Mauritius; reach rural areas in Malaysia; and refugee camps in Jordan, to name a few.

The telescopes have been awarded to the following proposals:
• Telescopes for All in Afghanistan, Kayhana Astronomical Group, Afghanistan
• Telescopes for All in Botswana, Machana Satellite School, Botswana
• Tomorrow’s Stars (Astros do Amanhã), Leva Ciência Institute (Instituto Nacional Leva Ciência – INALC), Brazil
• Telescopes for All in Ghana, Tetteh-Ocloo School for the Deaf, Ghana
• Namma Telescope, Open Space Foundation (OSF), India
• Telescopes for All in Iraq, Freelance, Al-Muthanna University (Lecturer), Iraq
• Telescopes for All in Jordan, Jordanian Astronomical Society (JAS), Jordan
• Telescopes for All in Malaysia, SJKT JUGRA School, Malaysia
• Telescopes for All in Mauritius, Hindu Girls’ College Astronomy Club, Mauritius
• Evening Meetings With Astronomy, Grupa Edukacji Astronomicznej na Czarnej Hucie (The Black Ironworks Astronomical Education Group), Poland
• Telescopes for All in Samoa, Tiapapata Art Centre, Samoa
• Telescopes for All in Timor Leste, Knua Sentrál ba Prátika Siénsia no Matemátika (KSP), East Timor

News Source: IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach

Bandar Seri Begawan – Nine (09) endorsed proposals from Brunei Darussalam will go through the next selection process of Telescopes for All 2021 at international level.

Winners will be announced by the IAU at a later date.

To all participants, thank you for the time and energy you invested in crafting the proposals.

Find out more: www.bruneiastronomy.org/telescopes4all

The Astronomical Society of Brunei (PABD) on Saturday night gathered night sky enthusiasts at Warisan Puk Belalan in Kampong Bukit Udal, Tutong District to catch a glimpse of our nearest neighbour in space – the moon.

The gathering was the society’s first participation in the International Observe the Moon Night celebration that has been held annually around the world since 2010 as a global community outreach initiative to encourage the observation, appreciation and understanding of the moon.

The yearly event, officially registered with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), brings together amateur astronomers, educators and lunar enthusiasts to either gaze at the moon with the naked eye or observe the night wonder through powerful telescopes.

The Saturday’s event in Brunei, organised by the PABD and the management of Warisan Puk Balaban, was attended by PABD Vice President Haji Abdul Aziz bin Haji Akop as the guest of honour.

Following the officially opening of the event, a recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa Selamat was carried out, led by PABD Treasurer Ustaz Shaifulbahri bin Haji Ahmad.

Telescopes and binoculars were set up at the premises to provide all-night stargazing and guided tours of the moon, planets and other celestial objects.

The event also offered members and other participants an opportunity to view the landscape of lunar mountains and craters along the line between light and dark.

There were also exciting hands-on activities, such as a mini craters experiment, a touch-the-lunar topography, a make-and-admire moon art competition for children and an astronomy quiz.

Participants were briefed on the exploration of the moon as well as cultural experiences influenced by the moon.

Meanwhile, there are more than 1,800 virtual and in-person events around the world this year in honour of the International Observe the Moon Night. The celebration falls in September and October when the moon is in the first quarter, providing a great phase for evening examination of the lunar terrain.

Bandar Seri Begawan – People of Brunei will have the opportunity to name a selected exoplanet and its host star to commemorate the 100th-anniversary celebration of the International Astronomical Union (IAU).

Currently there are a total of more than 4,000 confirmed planets that orbit stars outside the solar system known as exoplanets. Most of these exoplanets have no proper names. 

NameExoWorlds offers the opportunity for all countries in the world including Brunei Darussalam to give a name to one exoplanet and its hosting star.

On August 2, 2019, Brunei Darussalam was assigned with a planetary system by IAU to be given appropriate names of a giant gaseous planet (HD 179949b) and its star HD 179949 located in the constellation of Sagittarius.

For the first time, NameExoWorlds for Brunei Darussalam is organised by the Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam as the IAU National Outreach Coordinator to run this campaign from August 2019, with the support from relevant agencies.

The program was launched on August 4 via online by Haji Mahadi bin Haji Md Tahir, President of the Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam (PABD) which was declared in a special announcement on the society’s Facebook page.

Haji Mahadi said “This global initiative will provide the opportunity for Bruneians to name the star and the planet, where the selected name suggestions will be memorialized for our future generations.”

Proposed names can be submitted to the committee from August 10 until October 10, 2019 through online form www.bruneiastronomy.org/NameExoWorlds

Names will be chosen by public online voting carried out in this country. The popular names and after final validation by the Organising Committee, the global results will be announced in December 2019. The chosen names will be recognized by IAU as official names.