National workshop on transit of Venus 2012 concludes at Guwahati planetarium

The national level orientation workshop on transit of Venus,2012 which had been started in Guwahati Planetarium on May 7 concluded on May 9. 50 numbers of participants from various districts of Assam and from other states of NE took part in the workshop for creating awareness among people regarding the safe awtching of the great celestial event on June 6 from Sun rise till 10.19 AM. Experts from Mumbai and Kolkata briefed the participants on all the three days demonstrating methods to develop low cost equipments for the observation of the transit of Venus. On the second day,UN Deka,secretary,PRAG delivered speech on transit of Venus while Sandeep Baruah, Scientist- D of Vigyan Prasar,Govt of India conducted a special workshop on “Amateur Radio” where he demonstrated latest 'HAM RADIO' activities and its importance in NE Indian states.On the concluding day ie on May 9, Dr.Chandrarekha Mahanta,working president of PRAG conducted a special class on “Cosmology”. The closing ceremony was held at 2 PM in the conference hall of Guwahati Planetarium. HC Dutta,Director of Guwahati Planetarium & Director of ASTEC; Dr.Anil Goswami,president PRAG; Kabyashree Mahanta,Dy Secy,Science & Technology, Assam; UN Deka,secretary PRAG; senior scientists of the country Prof.Sabyasashi Chatterjee and TV Bhankatesh of Vigyan Prasar, Govt. of India and Babul Borah,Curator,Guwahati Planetarium etc attended the closing ceremony as distinguished guests. Director Dutta declared that a week long workshop would be arranged at planetarium with more “Do yourself” type science activities for the promotion of science in the state. It needs mention that on June 6, Venus will pass across the face of the Sun for the second and last time this century. People can see the great celestial event from sunrise till 10.19 AM. Next transit would occur in December in 2117.