AMATEUR ASTRONOMERS' SOCIETY JAIPUR (RAJASTHAN) INDIA

AAS		AMATEUR ASTRONOMERS' SOCIETY JAIPUR (RAJASTHAN) INDIA

10/22/09

Welcome to Amateur Astronomers' Society of Jaipur (Rajasthan), INDIA.

The society is a common platform for local hobby astronomers. It constantly endeavors towards reviving the city’s rich heritage of astronomical studies. Sawai Jaisingh's dream masonry instruments are standing still but, gone are the people with zeal and skill to use these instruments or their modern 'avatars'. Members of the society engage themselves in telescope making, astrophotography, conducting occasional elementary astronomy evening classes and evening sky observations from within the city as well as from the pristine locations of its outskirts.

Astronomy is a unique hobby. If you have an inner urge to seek a connection of yourself with the vastness of the universe, the hobby pulls you along. At times it is quite frustrating too. Instrument malfunction, vagaries of weather, severely light polluted skies in cities, the bone rattling cold weather under the open skies, are some of the causes that frustrate you often. But, the enchanting beauty of the night sky and the magnetic appeal of the celestial jewels hidden in its depths are too strong for some to keep them hooked into this hobby.

The ideal months for sky observation starts after the monsoon clouds recede and continues till the onset of dusty summer. A few of us regularly hit the outskirts of the city about once a month to explore the hidden treasures of the star studded sky. The hobby is no doubt quite resource intensive. That's the reason we come together pooling in our resources in our quest for the ultimate experience in our hobby. Resource-wise we are not so rich. However, some of our celestial exploits are really breathtaking.

Here are some photographs taken during our activities

Jaipur

The Pink City, founded in the year 1727 (18th November, 1727) by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. It is located at 26.91 degrees North and 75.82 degrees East with an average elevation of 431 meters from sea level. The time zone of Jaipur is UTC+5:30.

Jaipur, also being famous for its Observatory (Jantar-Mantar) built-up by the then ruler Maharaja Jai Singh—II, has a lot in heritage about astronomy. It is also famous for its grand forts, palaces, the HAWA MAHAL (wind palace), ISAR LAAT (a high minaret amidst the walled city), the Albert Hall Museum, the various (quite a lot) temples. It is surrounded by the Aravali chain of hills. It is the first planned city in India erected in strict conformation with the Shilpa Shastra. It is divided in nine blocks, representing the nine planets of ancient astrological zodiac. The directions of each street and market are east to west and north to south. The commercial shops are designed in multiples of 9 i.e. 27, having one cross street for a planet.

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This site was last updated 10/22/09