Members Reports

Dear friends, December nights in Kashmir are undeniably freezing, but they also offer a magical opportunity to witness one of nature's most beautiful celestial displays: the Geminid meteor shower . Known for producing up to 120 meteors per hour at its peak, the Geminids are a must-see for anyone who loves the night sky. Here’s how you can enjoy this stunning meteor shower despite the chilly weather. What are the Geminids? The Geminids are caused by Earth passing through the debris of asteroid 3200 Phaethon. As tiny particles enter our atmosphere, they burn up, creating brilliant streaks of light across the sky. This meteor shower is active from ...
A NEW ASTRO-HAIKU DIALOGUE WITH ALEX VIZITIU By Andrei Dorian Gheorghe . . I have the honor to inform you that today I will propose three haikus by Alex Vizitiu, designated as the national laureate of astro-haiku in Romania in 2024 (by a jury led by me), my reply containing also three haikus. All these haikus were originally written in Romanian, so the translation I made could not respect the classic number of 17 syllables. . THREE ASTRO-HAIKUS By Alex Vizitiu . Leonids burn, Geminids shine, The sky comes alive. . Winter night, Clear sky, dancing stars, Deep silence. . Cassiopeia, ...
The chilly December nights bring with them one of the most spectacular celestial events of the year—the Geminid Meteor Shower . Known for its bright and numerous meteors, this shower peaks around mid-December, offering sky enthusiasts an unparalleled chance to witness up to 120 meteors per hour under perfect conditions. This year, AOK (Astronomy Outreach of Kashmir) is excited to host a Night Sky Watching Camp at Yousmarg , one of the most serene and dark-sky-friendly locations in the valley. Despite the cold winter air, the breathtaking beauty of meteors streaking across the sky makes it an event you don't want to miss! Why Yousmarg? Nestled in ...
A NEW ASTROPOETIC DIALOGUE WITH ION(UT) MORARU By Andrei Dorian Gheorghe . . For the following dialogue I called again a pillar of SARM's astropoetry movement. . MY BIG BANG By Ion(ut) Moraru . Is it a beautiful dream or a nightmare when I think of the Big Bang? . I see all the people on the planet crowded in a hot thread of dust, then the inflation phase swells everything, we are millions, billions, everything cools down, galaxies appear as continents, stars appear as countries, here is my present when I can see through the telescope this wonderful landscape, ...
In the 21st century, where technological advancements are reshaping our understanding of the world, it is disheartening to see the lack of awareness about one of the oldest sciences—astronomy. During my year-long journey of conducting astronomy outreach programs in schools, I encountered hundreds of students who were unaware that astronomy is a distinct branch of science. This revelation speaks volumes about the gaps in our education system and societal priorities. Astronomy is not just a subject; it is a gateway to understanding our universe. It inspires curiosity, critical thinking, and a profound sense of our place in the cosmos. Despite these virtues, it ...
A JOVIAN ASTROPOETRY DIALOGUE WITH ZIGMUND TAUBERG By Andrei Dorian Gheorghe . . Shortly before the opposition of the planet Jupiter on December 7, 2024, Zigmund Tauberg is now setting a new world record among sky lovers, publishing an astropoem at 97 years, one month and a few days. (As usual, he also wrote this one in Romanian with rhyme and rhythm, and I translated it into English as best I could.) . THE STORMY PLANET By Zigmund Tauberg . An apparent bright star rises in the sky, sliding on the canopy. It is the largest and heaviest of the planets of the Sun. It has almost a hundred satellites ...

A Potpourri

.. . . A Potpourri . . A potpourri in galaxy obscured by cosmic dust debris, NGC three one six nine seems like gossamer that’s viewed in dreams, with cosmic particled esprit. . Our slant upon reality, is skewed perspective, our ‘to be’ in life made up of daily schemes a potpourri. . Sharp angled to the nth degree the Hubble image designee is starlight modified in streams within the universe that teems like endlessness hyperbole a potpourri. . . ~ Harley White . . * * * * * * * * * . . The poem is in the form of a rondeau… ...
On December 20 th at 6:30 PM, ET, NASA Solar System Ambassador & Hamptons Observatory 's Senior Educator, William Francis Taylor, MSc, will present a free, hybrid lecture, “Winter Stargazing: A Journey Through the Night Sky.” The talk will be held at the South Fork Natural History Museum (SoFo.org) in Bridgehampton, NY, and online via Zoom. Weather permitting, the talk will be followed by guided tours of the night sky via telescope. Registration required. For further info and to register visit: https://HamptonsObservatory.org
It began with darkness, under a sky awash with stars. A lone figure crouched in a cave, shivering against the cold bite of night. Above them, the cosmos glittered, a silent mystery beckoning with questions they couldn’t yet ask. Lightning struck a tree, and fire was born—not just in the world but in the human spirit. That flickering flame brought warmth and safety, and in its glow, shadows danced against the walls like constellations taking form. The figure gazed at the sky and the fire, sensing something profound: we are part of something greater. This was the first step, not just toward survival, but toward understanding the universe itself. ...
COMET C/2023 A3 IN THE BLACK SKY (MINI-ANTHOLOGY OF ASTRO-PHOTO-POETRY) By Andrei Dorian Gheorghe . . COMET C/2023 A3 IN THE DAMBOVITA COUNTY Astro-photo-poem by Catalin Lita . A famous comet with the star cluster M5 in its tail! . . . COMET C/2023 A3 IN THE BUCEGI MOUNTAINS Astro-photo-poem by Valentin Grigore . I took the first image with Comet C/2023 A3 on September 28, 2024, among the clouds, from the Atlantic coast in La Palma. When the comet moved across the evening sky, I followed it in Romania. Each time the comet was seen only in twilight or moonlight. ...
Bringing the Cosmos to Classrooms by Astronomy Outreach Prog: Year 2024 in Review This year was truly inspiring as I embarked on a mission to ignite curiosity about the cosmos among young minds through Astronomy Awareness Programs in schools. Although my initial target was to visit 100 schools, unexpected challenges arose due to the government's decision to change the academic session. With schools prioritizing exams scheduled to begin on November 25 in the Kashmir Valley, my outreach efforts were limited. However, I promise to bring the message of stars and the universe to every school as the new academic session unfolds. The journey so far ...
W e've ventured to set out into space to make real, once almost an unachievable, vision and dream about touching the stars. Finally, after many centuries, we hardly managed to mark our presence there. Yes, „hardly”, as this, undoubtedly great, success hasn’t make us, so far, cosmic sailors in awe-inspiring spaceships capable to surpass their predecessors from the Age of Exploration (dated on late the 15-17 th century). Although it hasn’t happened yet, we focus our efforts on various unmanned missions, simultaneously striving to send astronauts to Mars; our nearest, possible-to-visit planet in the Solar System. Nevertheless earlier, we want return to the Moon, ...

Stellar Toddlers

. . Stellar Toddlers . . The rubric ‘stellar toddlers’ seemed to haunt with astrals of unsteady gait on high endeavoring to take a stellar jaunt although in fixed position in the sky, . fixed seemingly to us within our gaze in Eagle Nebula where ‘Pillars’ rise those ‘of Creation’ called in words of praise, celestially immense in cosmic size. . They’re seven thousand light-years far away and stretching four to five light-years in scope, for Mankind oft submerged in deep dismay iconic in their image huge in hope. . This open cluster starry is the home where these ...
THE KING OF METEORITES (To Razvan Andrei, the owner of one of the largest collections of meteorites in the world) By Andrei Dorian Gheorghe . . -Your Majesty - asked a journalist -, do you intend to move to the Moon when it becomes habitable? . -Certainly not - answered the king of collectors of stones fallen from the sky. First, going through the Van Allen radiation belt would be too complicated, and second, finding an inflation of meteorites on the Moon’s surface would be too simple! #poetry
ASTROHUMOR ABOUT THE PLANETS WITH ADRIAN BRUNO SONKA By Andrei Dorian Gheorghe . . Eight planets racing boringly around the Sun - needless dizziness! (Andrei Dorian Gheorghe) . As I have shown in the past on the Astronomers Without Borders website, the coordinator of the Bucharest Municipal Observatory popularizes astronomy with an irresistible humor, poetically pigmented by comparisons and metaphors. Here is a new example from January 2024, taken from his blog. . THE SOLAR SYSTEM IS FAR-FETCHED Short adaptation from an article by Adrian Bruno Sonka . I've always suspected that the planets have ...
A Celestial Visitor: Witnessing Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) in the Skies of Kashmir The night sky has always held a special place in the hearts of dreamers and stargazers. Every so often, it gifts us a rare spectacle that transcends time and space, reminding us of our connection to the cosmos. In mid-October this year, the heavens blessed us with a remarkable visitor— Comet C/2023 A3, known as Tsuchinshan-ATLAS . For a few magical evenings, I had the privilege of greeting this celestial marvel with a group of like-minded friends under the pristine skies of Kashmir, a blessed valley in the state of Jammu and Kashmir - India. A Once-in-a-Lifetime ...
COMET C/2023 A3 NEAR BUCHAREST (SHORT ASTROPOETRY DIALOGUE) By Andrei Dorian Gheorghe . . COMET C/2023 A3 NEAR A CAPITAL CITY (OCTOBER 15, 2024) Astro-photo-poem by Alex Vizitiu . Flame of ice, light in the night sky - dust from old times. . . COMET C/2023 A3 TO MAN: “I’M SO SORRY...” By Andrei Dorian Gheorghe . You can't see me from streets - your lights have exiled me outside the city! #poetry
Making Astronomy a School Subject: A Gateway to Curiosity and Innovation Astronomy, the science of celestial objects and the universe, has fascinated humanity for centuries. However, its inclusion in school-level education remains rare, especially in regions like Kashmir. Recognizing its immense potential, Moonland School , situated in the remote area of Pakherpora, District Budgam, J&K, India , took a bold step by introducing astronomy as a subject for 5th-grade students three years ago. This initiative, pioneered by Astronomy Outreach of Kashmir (AOK) , has proven to be transformative, igniting curiosity and enthusiasm among students. The Benefits ...
In the tranquil valleys of Kashmir , beneath the shimmering night skies, lies a world of endless wonder and discovery. Astronomy Outreach of Kashmir (AOK) is on a heartfelt mission to ignite the spark of curiosity and science among our youth. Through our dedicated efforts, thousands of students have already explored the mysteries of the universe in ways they could have only dreamed of. From night sky watching sessions to telescope-making workshops, from engaging outreach programs to hands-on science experiences, AOK has tirelessly worked to bring the cosmos closer to the people of Kashmir. We believe that every child deserves the opportunity ...
NIGHT PAINTINGS By Andrei Dorian Gheorghe . . On an autumn day, when I was in the mountains, Venus as the Evening Star said to me: -Stop thinking too much about “Starry Night”, the famous painting by Vincent van Gogh. Better create in your soul your own moving picture, “Stars in the Night”! #poetry