The year 2009 is being celebrated around the world as the International Year of Astronomy by all the astronomical organizations of the world, starting from the United Nations and the International Astronomical Union down to individual national astronomy societies.

In this connection the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, New Delhi has sanctioned grants to organize three State Level Astronomy Workshops for college students and ten Chandra Lectures.

Astronomy programme at Gulbarga University, Gulbarga

The first State Level Astronomy Programmes was conducted at Gulbarga University, Gulbarga on 22nd and 23rd January 2010. The programme was inaugurated by Prof. A. M. Pathan, Vice-Chancellor, Central University, Gulbarga. The keynote address was delivered by Prof. H. R. Ramakrishna Rao, Former Head, Department of Physics, Christ College, Bangalore. Prof. S. L. Hiremath, Registrar, Gulbarga University presided over the function. Following activities were conducted during the workshops.

First Day of the programme :

• Introduction to Indian Astronomy
  - By Dr. S.Balachandra Rao, Hon. Director, Gandhi Centre for Science and Human Values, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bangalore

• Astronomy in 21st Century
  - By Prof. H. R. Ramakrishna Rao, Former Head, Department of Physics, Christ College, Bangalore

• Telescopes in India
  - By Prof. Mohan Sunder Rajan, Science Writer and Communicator, Bangalore

• Astronomical Model Making, Jantar Mantar, etc.,
  - By Mr. V.S.S. Sastry, Science Writer and Communicator, Kolar

• Night Sky Watching Programme through Telescopes

Second day of the programme :

• Recent Trends in Astronomy
  - By Dr. M. S. Jogad, Former Principal, Sharanabasaveshwara College of Science, Gulbarga

• Learning Concepts on Astronomy
  - By Mr. V.S.S. Sastry, Science Writer and Communicator, Kolar

• Communication skills and ICT in Astronomy
  - By Dr. R. B. Gaddagimath, Chief Librarian, Gulbarga University

The participation certificates were distributed to the students. A total of 80 students from various colleges of Gulbarga University participated in this programme.

Astronomy programme at University of Mysore, Mysore

The Second State Level Astronomy Programme was conducted at University of Mysore, Mysore on 29th and 30th January 2010. Prof. V. G. Talawar, Vice-Chancellor, University of Mysore, inaugurated the Programme. Prof. T. K. Umesh, Chairman, Department of Physics, University of Mysore presided over the function. Prof. C. B. Ramachandra, Principal, Yuvaraja College, Mysore was Guest of Honour of the function.

First Day of the programme :

• Introduction to Indian Astronomy
  - By Dr. S.Balachandra Rao, Hon. Director, Gandhi Centre for Science and Human Values, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bangalore

• Astronomical Model Making, Jantar Mantar, etc.,
  - By Mr. V.S.S. Sastry, Science Writer and Communicator, Kolar

• Introduction to the Night Sky
  - By Mr. M. Krishnamurthy, Science Communicator, Mysore

• Learning Concepts on Astronomy
  - By Mr. V.S.S. Sastry, Science Writer and Communicator, Kolar

• Night Sky Watching Programme through Telescopes

Second day of the programme :

• Astronomy – Development and Significance
  - By Prof. A. K. Bhat, Former HOD, Dept., of Physics, Vijaya College, Mulki and National Awardee for Science Communication

• New Solar System
  - By Mr. B. R. Guruprasad, PRO, ISRO

• Telescope – A journey of Science
  - By Prof. Mohan Sunder Rajan, Science Writer & Communicator, Bangalore

• Eclipses
  - By Mr. H. L. Satish Demonstration School, Mysore

A night Sky watch was also conducted for the participants.

Prof. M. S. Mohan Kumar, Secretary, KSCST presided over the valedictory function and distributed the participation certificates to the students. Prof. Umesh, Chairman, Department of Physics, University of Mysore was the Guest of Honour. About 75 students from different colleges of University of Mysore participated in the programme.

Details of Chandra Lectures 

The third workshop and technical lectures will be organised during August 2010.