In my previous columns, I have mentioned a group of enthusiastic young astronomers who have formed the Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO). This time, I will be talking about what activities the society is engaged in and what captivates its members about astronomy and stargazing.

Though stargazing is a very new phenomenon in Nepal, members of NASO are organising 'star parties' in different corners of the city. At these events, they show planets like Jupiter, Mars and Venus to the public through a telescope. They also publish press releases on important celestial events like meteor-showers and eclipses.

"We can't see all the planets at the same time, so we are showing them according to their appearances in the night sky," says Suresh Bhattarai, student of Tri-Chandra College. Riwaj Pokharel, also from Tri-Chandra, recalls his recent experience: "Recently, I tried to make people in my neighborhood understand the positions of planets in the night sky. They all laughed at me and said that those were only stars and I was just trying to outsmart them." However, this kind of attitude among the general public in no way undermines the zeal of these astronomers. They feel that, in this age of globalisation, young people should come forward to fight superstition, help educate people and publicise the truth about the cosmos. Suresh thinks that astronomy can even help the economy through "astro-tourism".

I found a real passion among the young astronomers for studying the firmament and also a feeling that it is important to keep up with developments in the rest of the world. They feel that astronomy and stargazing are important in this regard, and are somewhat frustrated about the government's lack of interest in developing this science in Nepal. "We visited government officials many times when we needed help, but every time we returned empty-handed," says Riwaj. "We think it's a shame that the government has no interest in our work."

Suresh says the group's main difficulty is that they don't have any telescope of their own, and so every time they hold a star party they have to borrow one from somewhere. This sadly limits the amount of parties they can conduct.

He also laments the fact that there is no systematic study of astronomy in Nepal, meaning that anyone who wishes to study it has to go abroad. "The BP Koirala Planetarium was established long ago, but even now it is not functioning properly," Suresh says.

As we approach the 400th anniversary since the invention of the telescope, let us hope the government will understand the role astronomy can play in modernising Nepali society and will help these budding 'Kids of Cosmandu'.

February 2008 Highlights:
This month there will be a solar eclipse on 7 February, but sadly it will be visible only from Antarctica. We will then have a total lunar eclipse on 21 February. Seen from Nepal, the eclipse will begin as the moon sets. Among the planets, Mercury will go through an inferior conjunction on 6 February as it switches from the evening to the morning sky. NASA's Messenger craft has just visited this planet for the first time since Mariner-10 visited 33 years ago.

Granted, the western sky is kind of dull, but don't neglect the dawn sky. In early February, two brilliant worlds, Venus and Jupiter, will appear close together, low in the southeast at dawn. They will be joined by the crescent Moon on the 4th. During the month, Jupiter will move up and away from Venus, which will be joined by Mercury at month's end. Mars, in Taurus, is almost overhead in the evening. Saturn, in Leo, reaches opposition on 24 February and is visible in the east after 7PM. Wishing you clear skies and great stargazing in February!

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