Download To, Mr. Prasad Modak We are group of students from Physics

To,
Mr. Prasad Modak
We are group of students from Physics Department, University of Mumbai. We are
going to observe and conduct some experiments during Annular Solar Eclipse on
15 Januray, 2010. These experiments are aimed at studying radiation coming from the
sun. This will provide useful information about solar radiation effect on atmosphere of
the earth and weather changes during the solar eclipse. We have already been to China to
study Total Solar Eclipse on 22nd July, 2009 for which we had been recommended by
Dr. Jaydeep Mukherjee ( Director, NASA Florida Space Grant Consortium, Kennedy
Space Center, USA) , Dr. Mayank Vahia ( Dept. of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Tata
Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai) and Dr. A. D. Yadav ( Head, Physics Dept.,
University of Mumbai).
This time we are planning to do comparative study of previous eclipse with addition
of some other experiments. Since, we are students we have financial constraints. Our
department has been very supportive to us but they have their own limitations. This year
is also announced as International Year of Astronomy by UNESCO. This is a part of
worldwide celebration of 400th anniversary of the first recorded astronomical
observations with a telescope by Galileo Galilei and the publication of Johannes Kepler's
Astronomia nova in the 17th century. We would be sincerely obliged if you financially
support our expedition.
The activities we are planning for this expedition and other details are listed herewith.
Hoping to receive an encouraging response from your side.
Thanking you in anticipation. Yours sincerely,
Chintamani Pai
Ankush Bhaskar
P.R.
+91-9773597589
Project Leader
+91-9869670258
Our group members have been doing following activities in astronomy
1) Meteor shower observation since last 5 years. Data has been sent to IMO
( International Meteor Organiz\ation ), Germany.
2) Observing eclipses of the sun
3) Observing eclipses of the moon
4) Occultation: Saturn, Venus, Mars, star Antares.
5) Transits: Venus (2004), Mercury (2003)
6) Meteorite research:
I. Jagannath Meteorite Impact at Orissa in collaboration with AGCA. II.Lonar crater
study of impactite glasses.
7) Workshops given:
I. How to teach astronomy to school children organized by Comet Media Foundation,
India in 2005.
II.Astronomy workshops for general public every year for popularization of
astronomy.
8) Workshops and conferences attended:
I. International conference on Planetary Science, 2009.
II. International conference on Solar Cycle organized by PRL (Physical Research
Laboratory), Ahmedabad in 2007.
III. Young Astronomers Meet at IIT Kharagpur in 2009.
IV. International Astronautical Congress, Hyderabad organized by ISRO in 2008.
V. Workshop on Solar Eclipse organized by SPACE, New Delhi in 2009.
VI. Summer school at ARIES, Nainital in 2004.
VII. Summer school at IUCAA, Pune in 2008.
9) Research papers presented:
I. About Lunar surface intensity and temperature variation during lunar eclipse
presented at IPA (Indian Physics Association), Mumbai chapter in 2008.
II.About solar flares and magnetic clouds at International Conference on Solar Cycle
organized by PRL, Ahmedabad in 2007.
III.About impactite glasses and fulgurite at International Conference on Planetary
Science organized by IPS (Indian Planetary Society), Mumbai in 2009.
We hope that you understand our necessity and request you to help us in this
expedetion. We expect partial or full sponsorship. I am sure by doing this you will be
contributing to the science in India and putting good example for promoting science in
India.
Brief introduction about our sun
In our daily life which is well occupied with many things associated with our survival in
today’s competitive world, we hardly get any time to think about our sun. The word
“Sun” comes to your mind only when it is scorching on top of your head and making you
to sweat. Beyond that we never think of the sun and its relation with billions of our lives
here on the earth. Our sun which is around 3,32,900 times massive than the earth is at
146.9 million kilometers from the earth was formed around 4.57 billion years ago and
will still live for coming 5 billion years. Does that mean coming billion generations has
nothing to worry about their survival? No, not at all.
In fact, very small amount of mass when ejected from the sun can become a major
reason for our extinction. This is exaggerated in science fiction movies, but it is a reality.
Though it is the closest star providing us opportunity to understand the root cause of life
on the earth and mysteries of cosmos, we hardly know anything. There are space
missions, ground based observations all over the world to reveal these scientific
mysteries. Eclipse is one such opportunity to understand the sun and itself a celestial
phenomenon for astronomers all over the world. When stone-age man must have looked
at eclipsed sun many myths must have risen in his curious mind. From that time to
today’s modern scientific era we have been evolving and updating our knowledge about
the sun. But still today, apart from scientific mysteries there are myths about such
phenomenon existing in our society which question us how backward we are. Our
scientific expedition is not just an expedition but we are also pledged to popularize
astronomy and clearing undue myths about eclipse which are still existing in our society.
It is a social issue and we expect your cooperation for this expedition.
About Annular Solar Eclipse on 15 January, 2010
On Friday, 2010 January 15, an annular eclipse of the Sun is visible from within a 300km-wide track that traverses half of Earth. The path of the Moon's umbral shadow begins
in Africa and passes through Chad, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the
Congo, Uganda, Kenya, and Somalia. After leaving Africa, the path crosses the Indian
Ocean where the maximum duration of annularity reaches 11 min 08 s. The central path
then continues into Asia through Bangladesh, India, Burma (Myanmar), and China. A
partial eclipse will be seen within the much broader path of the Moon's penumbral
shadow, which includes Eastern Europe, most of Africa, Asia, and Indonesia.
The eclipse starts at Uganda passes through Nairobi, enters Indian Ocean where the
greatest eclipse is taking place in mid of Ocean. After that enters Maldives, where it will
be second longest with 10.8 Min of viewing. After that enters and exits India at
Rameswaram. Only place of land under the eclipse on India. After Rameswaram, enters
Sri Lanka at Delft Island, exits at Jaffna in Sri Lanka, cross Bay of Bengal and ends in
Burma - China border.
Our team
1) Ankush Bhaskar
(Solar Physics)
2) Chintamani Pai
(Solar Physics , Scientific computation)
3) Avdhhot Purohit
(Nuclear Physics )
4) Sumeet Deshmukh
(Data Analysis, Observational Astronomy )
5) Aniruddha Patankar
(Nuclear Physics)
6) Anand Pothapragada
(Scientific database developer)
7) Virendra Yadav
(Space Physics)
8) Samrat Patel
(Image processing, Scientific computation)
9) Abhishek Chitnis
(Electronics )
Our team consists of young fellows who are from various academic backgrounds
like Physics, Mathematics, and Computer Science who are having Astronomy as a
common interest. Team members are divided along experiments performed during
the eclipse as per their respective skills.
Our team will be conducting following experiments during Annular Solar Eclipse
1) Weather change during eclipse
As the sun gets covered by moon during eclipse, there are sudden changes in the
atmosphere of the earth. These changes will be monitored through our
experimental set-up.
2) Spectroscopy
Through this experiment combined with image processing techniques, we will be
able to understand elemental abundance near the surface of the sun visible during
totality.
3) Magnetic field activity measurement
Radiation coming from the sun changes as the moon covers during the eclipse.
This in turn affects feeble magnetic field of the earth. Using an instrument called
‘Magnetometer’ we will study these minute changes in the earth’s atmosphere.
4) Radiation activity measurement
Our sun emits energetic particles and radiation like alpha particles, beta particles,
gamma rays and cosmic rays. Earth is always exposed to such harmful radiation
from other sources present in the space. We will be studying the contribution to
this radiation by the sun and real time activity.
Above experiments mentioned will concentrate on different aspects of the sun
related to the Earth’s atmosphere and elemental abundance of the sun.
Budget Details
A. Technical Requirements:
Instruments
Solar Telescope
DSLR Camera
Stellacam
Portable GM
Counter
UPS Inverter
Company
Meade
Canon
Watec
Gammascout
Quantity
1
1
1
1
Local Company 2
Cost
30000/50000/60000/30000/20000/-
Total Budget for instruments: Rs. 1,90,000/-
B. Lodging and Boarding:
Travelling expenses per head
Lodging expenses per head
Total Cost per head
2000/3000/5000/-
Total cost for whole team:
5,000/- X 6 students = Rs. 30,000/-
C. Overall Budget for the expedition
Technical requirements: Rs. 1,90,000/Lodging & Boarding:
Rs. 30,000/Total Budget:
Rs. 2,20,000/-
REQUIREMENTS:

CASH SPONSORSHIP
In return to your generous donations, we will be obliged to offer you the
following,





BANNER (5ft into 3ft) OF YOUR BRAND AT OUR SITE DURING ECLIPSE.
FLIERS OF YOUR BRAND TO BE DISTRIBUTED DURING THE EVENT
TO OBSERVERS AT RAMESHWARAM
VERBAL MENTIONS OF THE BRAND MADE BEFORE, DURING AND AT
THE END OF THE EVENT*
LOGO SPACE OF YOUR BRAND ON CAPS, T- SHIRTS*
PUBLICITY THROUGH POST EVENT MAGAZINE
*(may vary according to the sponsorship amount.)
Hoping to receive a favourable response from your side. Thanking you.