The celestial time period started with curiosity of the Sri Lankan Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS). With the generous provision of a venue by SEDS AGNI at the South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, the Stardust Sanctuary 2024 Observation Camp was nothing short of astounding.
The event commenced at 5.00 p.m. on September 13, welcoming over 100 enthusiastic delegates. The warm hospitality extended by the South Eastern University, in collaboration with the Dean of the Engineering Faculty and the Marshall, who attended as honoured guests, created unforgettable memories for all participants.
The event was organised by a dedicated committee from SEDS Sri Lanka, whose planning and coordination ensured every aspect was flawlessly executed.
The event started with a heartfelt welcome to all delegates including Thamara Dasantha Banneheka as the guest speaker. Following a series of ice-breaking sessions designed to foster camaraderie, the highlight of the event—the observation session—was launched.
During the session, delegates were fortunate to behold celestial wonders such as Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, Great Orion Nebula, Pleiades Star Cluster, Mars, Andromeda Galaxy, Sirius Star and Sun with the support of Foundation of Astronomical Studies and Exploration (FASE Sri Lanka) as our official telescope partner. Guest speaker Banneheka delivered an insightful presentation on “Introduction to Observation Astronomy.”
The SEDS RUHUNA group conducted a workshop on “How to Use Sky Maps,” equipping students with essential skills for stargazing. The SEDS Mora team also presented a captivating session on “Introducing Astronomical Resources and Opportunities,” which received enthusiastic participation from attendees.
As midnight approached, the guest speaker provided valuable instructions on the proper methods for reporting astronomical observations, ensuring that students could accurately document their findings. As dawn broke, the sun observation began at the beach area while feeling the morning breeze from the area. The event came to an end following a vote of thanks and national anthem at about 8.00 a.m.
The whole event was covered by AGNI EDGE as our photography partner and the event was powered by the Sunday Observer and the Daily News as our official media partners.
SEDS Sri Lanka takes immense pride in the successful conclusion of Stardust Sanctuary, a testament to the unwavering support of our sponsors and partners.
This observation camp not only fostered a deeper understanding of astronomy among students but also ignited a lasting passion for space exploration and scientific inquiry.
Nayanaththara
