The first astronomer’s meeting in ASEAN now running.

             July 26th, 2011 - NARIT - National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand is receiving the world’s top-list astronomers during ASEAN’s premier IAU regional meetings in Chiang Mai. More than 200 topics will be presented while the public are invited to witness the latest inventions and researches in AstroExpo 2011 plus 3 thought-stimulator public talks including ‘Will the world end in 2012: The astronomy evidence’, ‘From webcam to the Hubble’ and ‘Grote Reber - the first radio astronomer.’ Now till July 28th, 2011. Call for reservation at 081-8884353
             The XIth Asian-Pacific Regional IAU Meetings took its debut in Chiang Mai this morning. At the opening ceremony, the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr.Virachai Virameteekul, presented his special key note on Thailand’s master plan of astronomy development in order to become ASEAN’s leader in this field. The plan consists the National Observatory and its network, Human resource development and astronomy education promotion. The minister expressed his appreciation to all IAU members for the community’s support to Thailand.

             Director of NARIT, Assoc. Prof.Boonrucksar Soonthornthum said NARIT is proud to be chosen by International Astronomy Union (IAU) to be the host of APRIM2011 which is one of the three biggest events of world’s astronomy community. This reflects how the world pays more and more attention on Thailand’s progressive growth of astronomy. Academic networks both on government and institute levels have been activated.      APRIM 2011 is truly Thailand’s official debut to international astronomy union. We are developing our fundamental infrastructures. By the end of this year, we will celebrate the launch of Thailand National Observatory on Inthanon National Park where the biggest telescope of ASEAN is installed, leading the way for 5 more Regional Observatories for the Public at Chachengsao, Songkhla, Khon Kaen, Phitsanulok and Nakhon Ratchasima. “This will entitle our country as a centre of astronomy of the region” the director said.
             Dr.Pornpan Widhayangkul, Director of the Institute for the Promotion of Teaching Science and Technology, a Co-host of APRIM 2011 indicates how IPTS put its focus on astronomy teaching in Thailand. “Astronomy brings kids to science. They easily fall in love with space science, cosmic phenomenon or those stars and mysterious objects in the sky at night. Hence, improving astronomy teaching skills for science teachers and instructors is our significant goal. We recruit 120 sci&tech teachers nationwide to join this meeting and we hope the programs will inspire them to yield creative projects and innovations for astronomy teaching in order to drive Thailand’s science and technology to a higher standard.”

             APRIM2011 hosts over than 500 delegates from every continent including world-renowned astrophysicists as Professor Dr.Norio Kaifu - the president elect of IAU, Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnel who introduced ‘pulsar’ to astronomy, Professor George Miley - Vice president of IAU who has been conducting numerous international astronomical projects. An amateur yet outstandingly famous astronomer from Philippines, Mr.Christopher Go, the first man to discover the red spot junior on Jupiter is invited as well.
             The meetings will be held from July 26th to 29th. The first 3 days are for academic sessions at Empress convention center and the last day for an excursion to the construction site of Thailand’s National Observatory and Princess Sirindhorn Neutron Monitor at Inthanon national park.

              “The latest updates from astronomy researchers have been always the main focus of the event. However this year we also take a further step on creating international collaborations among astronomy community members” Dr.Saran added. “3 luncheon sessions has been set up for 3 particular groups which, we believe, will generate more and more advantages to the community. The groups are ‘Young Astronomers’, ‘Women in Astronomy’ and ‘SEAAN-South East Asia Astronomy Network.’ These sessions will be held at 12.30-14.00 hrs. on July 26th, 27th and 28th respectively.
             For the public, you are invited to AstroExpo2011 and APRIM2011’s public talks. AstroExpo 2011 is the highlight of APRIM2011 for visitors. Astronomical projects around the globe, the total budget over 3 billions USD, will be displayed here along with some most up-to-date innovations such as a giant 8-metre portable planetarium dome surrounded with HD star projectors from Russia with educational film in full-dome spectacle view, Solar wind and its electron in the earth’s magnetic field recorded in HD from Hinode’s solar spectacle telescope from Japan, Project presentation of Giant Macgellan Telescope-GMT with diameter of 25 metres from South Korea. Thailand’s pavilion will be presenting a exhibition ‘The King of Thailand and Astronomy’ and astronomical instruments demonstration for public.
             There are 3 topics for APRIM2011 public talks; ‘Will the world end in 2012? The Astronomy Evidence’ by Prof. Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnel, the greatest contemporary astronomer who introduce ‘Pulsar’ to the world, July 26th at 6 pm. ‘From Webcam to the Hubble’ by Christopher Go, who discovered a red spot junior on Jupiter with his amateur telescope then broadcasted it online until he was invited by NASA to join planet observatory via Hubble space telescope. And ‘Grote Reber-The First Radio Astronomer’ celebrate 100 years of Radio Astronomy with Martin George, a famous Australian astronomer. The two sessions take place on July 27th at 4pm and 6pm respectively.

 

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