Not just for scholars
“Part of this recent surge in interest for everything astronomy is due to its democratisation,” says Raju, of the Cochin Science and Astronomy Club.
“It’s no longer just for scientists and scholars. Stargazing has become woven into tourism and hospitality, sustaining public interest,” he adds.
Indeed, stargazing in Kerala is also becoming an integral part of the cultural fabric. During the recent Global Science Festival of Kerala, visitors were given the chance to camp out under the stars in Thonnakkal, experiencing the night sky away from the city’s light pollution.
Another attraction is astrophotography for which the sign-up is high in number. “We organise tutorial sessions. Apart from students, techies sign up for this more. They have sophisticated equipment, which can be put to good use. But our aim is to train enthusiasts to shoot with the gadget they have,” says Shyam, of Aastro Kerala.
“We often travel to the outskirts for clearer skies. We organise camps to places such as Vithura, Nedumangad, Kulathupuzha, Vembayam, Pothencode, etc.”
One such astrophotographer and Aastro member, Kannur-based K A Rohit, clicked the C/2023 A3 comet when it reached the sun’s closest approach on September 2, 2024.
To new horizons
“Bad skies are a dampener for most stargazing plans but still we bring out our telescope twice a month and pitch tents at nights,” says Sneha Arvind, coordinator of Astral, the astronomy club of Government Engineering College, Thrissur.
“If not the rare finds of Venus or Saturn rings, we at least make do with the all-so common moon.”
There are also astrophotography contests to buoy the interest of the community. “There is an aspect of creativity,” says Astro-CET’s Naveen. “We
are not particular about the specifications. The idea is to encourage interest in the cosmos. The discoveries can come later.”
As Shyam puts it, “Love for astronomy can inspire. And inspiration can lead to discoveries.”
In Kerala, that love is spreading, connecting people with the cosmos and perhaps leading the way to new revelations about our place in the universe.