Observation – BruneiAstronomy

Syawal Moon Sighting 1440H in Brunei: Crescent moon not sighted, Aidilfitri to be celebrated on Thursday

webmaster — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 13:00:06 +0000

Bandar Seri Begawan – Members of the Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam were at Tanjung Batu for the Hilal of Syawal 1440H observation this afternoon. The new moon was not seen from various vantage points in Brunei due to very thick clouds.Present at the observing site was Yang Dipertua Hj Mahadi bin Hj Md Tahir, the president of the association.

By the command of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the country will start celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri on Thursday, June 6th, 2019. The announcement on the outcome of sighting for the new moon of Syawal was broadcast nationwide over Radio and Television Brunei.

South East Asia Infrared satellite image from May 30, 2019 until the time of new moon observation shows the region was experiencing active weather condition especially Brunei (Source: Kochi University)

PABD promotes astronomy, holds Solar Observation

webmaster — Tue, 11 Sep 2018 07:00:54 +0000

Bandar Seri Begawan – The Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam organized a solar observation to promote astronomy and educate members of the public on Tuesday (11 September 2018) morning.

Astronomy enthusiasts gathered at the car park of the International Convention Centre in Berakas from 10 am to 1 p.m. to view the Sun through solar filters. The event was the first time in Brunei being organized for the public that employed the use of a special Hydrogen Alpha-telescope, which makes solar prominences and flares observable.

The observation was jointly organised by Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali’s (UNISSA) Faculty of Islamic Development Management and Leadership and Lifelong Learning Centre, as part of the convocation festival aimed at enlivening the annual 8th UNISSA Hafl Al-Takharruj ceremony to celebrate the students who will be completing their studies at UNISSA.

Media Coverage

Dozens turn up for solar observation

September 12, 2018
| Wani Roslan |

A SOLAR observation was yesterday held at the parking lot of the International Convention Centre (ICC) parking lot as part of activities to enliven the 8th Mahrajan Hafl Al-Takharruj of Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA).

The event was held in collaboration with the Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam.
Two special telescopes with solar filters and hydrogen alpha filters were used to observe the sun and moon safely.

Speaking to the Bulletin, General Secretary of the Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam Hazarry Ali Ahmad explained that the event was held to provide the public the opportunity to safely observe the sun and moon.
“We are using the Hydrogen Alpha filter for the first time in Brunei Darussalam. We are aligning our objectives to provide an outreach programme to the public to increase our knowledge on astronomy, including Islamic astronomy,” he said.

Dozens had turned up for the 10am-2pm event.

Children observing the sun’s solar flares. – RAHWANI ZAHARI

Source: Borneo Bulletin

2010 Dec 14 Geminids Meteor Shower Observation

webmaster — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 15:30:46 +0000

2010 Dec 14 Geminids Meteor Shower Observation

Bandar Seri Begawan – Today, in the early hours a few members of the Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam (PABD) were at the Bukit Agok, Tutong, to catch the annual meteor shower.

The meteor show peaks on 13/14 of December and astronomers said it would be the best meteor shower this year.

Coincidently it was a moonless night so it will provide us a greater chance to view the shooting stars. But clouds were coming and going and mostly patching the sky. Despite of the cloudy morning, we were lucky as the view of the sky began to get clear around 1.45 am.

As soon as the sky cleared up, the excitement began as meteor streaked and some had left trails across the sky. It was the Geminids meteor shower and they were few bright slow meteors seen but mostly they were faint and fast. It was a brilliant display with rate count went up to 30 meteors in an hour.

Some of us tried to take photos of the meteor show, unluckily none of us managed to capture even though the view was perfectly in frame. I account this failure was due to the light pollution and certainly the camera set should be upgraded to use a very fast lens ( f/2.8 – 2).

About 3 am, the thunderstorm started to come in forcing us to end our observation.