Visayas explores the skies

MANILA, Philippines - Thousands of students from schools in the Visayas region explored the skies through the Skyxplore, an astronomy outreach program spearheaded by Diliman Preparatory School’s (DPS) Astronomy Center, a complete resource for astronomy education in the Philippines.

Former senator and DPS president Nikki Coseteng wants to raise the awareness, interest, knowledge and understanding of astronomy among students and the general public, so she founded this program that goes to different schools nationwide.

“Many students are not given the chance to go to a planetarium and experience the universe while on Earth, so we will bring the planetarium to them instead,” Coseteng said.

In Bacolod City, more than 2,000 students from La Consolacion experienced Skyxplore activities on Feb. 1 and 2. The following day, the program went to the Negros Mission Academy where 900 more students and faculty members were amazed with their experience at the Planetarium Space Dome and film showing.

Another 800 students and teachers in Bacolod Christian College enjoyed Skyxplore activities, especially the “Ask an Astronomer” where a team of astronomers from the University of the Philippines answered their questions.

Skyxplore brings the Stargazer, a high-powered telescope and the Philippines’ first ever and only seven-meter diameter digital mobile planetarium to Philippine schools in support for astronomy education and research in the country.

Activities include viewing the digital planetarium, a simulated display of the day- and night-time sky and celestial objects; film showing of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 Official Movie, The Eyes on the Skies; an astronomical exhibit that showcases NASA space photos and a collection of stunning photographs and time-lapse videos of the world’s most beautiful and historic sites against a night-time backdrop of stars, planets and celestial events; a meteorite exhibit; and the Ask-An-Astronomer Activity.

The program has also visited the University of St. La Salle Feb. 28-March 4, Sagay National High School with 2,000 students on March 5 to 6; Colegio San Agustin Bacolod with 3,000 students on March 7 to 9; and is now (March 10-12) in Hinigaran National High School with 2,000 participants.