THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE PHILIPPINE ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
APPULSE the
SPECIAL EDITION 2018 VOL. 51 NO. 95
NATIONAL ASTRONOMY INTERVIEW WITH RIZCHEL MASONG WEEK 2018 NEWS
FEATURE
A PAS LECTURE REFLECTION
COSMIC COLLECTIVES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SPECIAL COVERAGE
04 Gov’t, astronomy organizations, collaborate for 25th NAW 05 PAS, BSYA, Sci117 conduct free NAW seminars 06 PAS, BSYA head AstroContests 07 Astronomy organizations conduct free telescope viewing
SPACE REPORT
08 Recent astronomical advancements 10 Commentaries
FEATURED PHOTO
12 Baka Sakali by Kenneth Chua
SPECIAL FEATURE
14 Radio active: Interview with Rizchel Masong 16 Chatting with May Serrano of Big Handy’s Grounds 20 Getting to know Manila Street Astronomers: Q&A with Gary Andreassen
ABOUT THE COVER PHOTO
COSMIC COLLECTIVES 23 PAS conducts monthly lecture at Ateneo: A reflection
ABOUT THE BACKGROUND
The front cover for this issue is the art piece that won first place during the NAW 2018 On-the-spot Postermaking Competition for the High School Division.
The background image for this page is a photo of an astronaut as he floats in space, courtesy of Pexels.com.
THE APPULSE
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF PAS EDITORIAL BOARD
WRITERS
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Lanz Anthonee Lagman
Mark Joseph Bantayan Lanz Anthonee Lagman Daud Kim Anthony So Paolo Tan Denise Anne Valentino Angelica Y. Yang
Kenneth Chua Denise Anne Valentino The Bedan Society of Young Astronomers
Publication Committee Head
Angelica Y. Yang Editor-in-Chief
Denise Anne Valentino Layout Editor
Pecier Decierdo Consultants
Philippine Astronomical Society Office, 8/F Semicon Bldg., Brgy. De la Paz, Marcos Highway, Pasig City, Metro Manila www.facebook.com/PhilippineAstronomicalSociety/ www.instagram.com/philastrosociety/ www.philastrosociety.com
EDITOR’S NOTE
FAREWELL EDITORIAL While we were able to consistently produce several issues from the end of 2016 to the later half of last year, a year of hiatus was required due to the lack of volunteers, preparations for a Science communication symposium that we spearheaded in February, and changes in workflow schedules. The team has also been discussing about whether the previously-established format would be sustainable in the long run, given the members’ increasingly busy schedules and different areas of interests. In light of this, we have decided to reformat the Appulse. In the past, the Appulse has trained its spotlight on PAS News and latest news about astronomy. Today, we have reframed the Appulse to produce higher-quality local and international astronomy articles, with the aid of popular science communication techniques. Sharing information about our events and Astronomy News can be easily done with social media, and we can’t wait to engage our readers online, where they get most of their news and current events. We will still be publishing quarterly issues on the free digital media platform Issuu. However, we will be slowly migrating to social media to provide up-to-date information for the Astronomy community. Writing about science and astronomy for the public can get a bit tricky, especially for scientists who don’t have much training in popular science communication. That’s why we organized the #SciScribe: A Science Communication Symposium for the National Astronomy Week 2018. The event, which was held at San Beda University, was co-organized by the Philippine Astronomical Society, Bedan Society of Young Astronomers, and Science 117 Club. Furthermore, we would like to recognize Denise Valentino, our assistant EIC and layout artist, and Mayumi Exiomo, one of our graphic artists. Denise and Mayumi created the NAW 2018 banner, which was used as the official NAW 2018 logo by all astronomical societies in the Metro. Our work for the Appulse does not stop there. We are currently in the process of creating internal workflows that can be utilized and modified, and prioritizing the incorporation of recent advancements in astronomy through news and features articles. We will work together as a team to improve our operations. With a new, rebranded Appulse, I, Lanz Avila Lagman, am confident to pass on the baton to science journalist Angelica Y. Yang, who will be taking my place as editor-in-chief, effective after the publication of this issue.
Lanz Anthonee Lagman Outgoing Editor-in-Chief
SPORTSMANSHIP. NAW 2018 AstroContest participants gathered for a warm group photo even after the intense competition among them held on February 24, 2018 at San Beda University, Manila. Photo by Denise Valentino 4 | THE APPULSE
SPECIAL COVERAGE
Gov’t, astronomy organizations, collaborate for 25th NAW By Denise Anne Valentino
The Philippine Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), and the National Museum, together with several local astronomical organizations and private institutions collaborated for the nationwide celebration of the 25th National Astronomy Week (NAW) on February 1724, 2018. In line with 25th NAW theme Astronomy Modernization: A Great Leap for a Collaborative Astronomy Community in the Philippines, astronomical organizations based on different parts of the Philippines conducted astronomy activities in their respective localities within the same week.
PAS, BSYA, Sci117 conduct free NAW seminars The Philippine Astronomical Society (PAS) in collaboration with the Bedan Society of Young Astronomers (BSYA) and Science 117 celebrated the 25th NAW by conducting science seminars such as Our Cosmic Connection: A Structured Lecture in Astronomy & Astrophysics and #SciScribe: A Science Communication Symposium. PAS Board of Directors Chair Engr. Camilo Dacanay, Dr. Ernest Macalad, and Dr. Perry Esguerra comprise the speakers for Our Cosmic Connection: A Structured Lecture in Astronomy & Astrophysics, held at the Abbot Lopez Hall, San Beda University, Manila, on February 17, 2018. Engr. Dacanay discussed the stellar evolution, planetary formation, geology activities, and climate change in his lecture. Afterwards, Dr. Macalad discussed space weather and Dr. Esguerra talked about the link between curiosity-driven research and technological advances. THE APPULSE | 5
PAS NEWS
REACHING OUT. Scienkidfic Xplorers Co-Founder Carina Laroza encourages audiences to communicate science and astronomy knowledge during the NAW 2018 #SciScribe: A Science Communication Symposium held on February 17, 2018 at San Beda University, Manila. Photo by Denise Valentino
Meanwhile, independent science writer Shaira Panela, GMA News SciTech correspondent Mikael Francisco, and Scienkidfic Xplorers Carina Laroza and Louise Bautista encompass the speakers for #SciScribe: A Science Communication Symposium held at Abbot Wilfrido Rojo OSB Hall, San Beda University, Manila, on the same day. In their lecture titled Effective Ways of Communicating Science, Laroza and Bautista discussed various ways for teachers, writers, and scientists to explain scientific concepts and ideas to the masses. Afterwards, Panela shared science writing reminders and what it is like to be a science writer in the country in her lecture titled Science Journalism in the Philippines. In What Makes A Good Science Story, Francisco talked about the important parts and characteristics of an effective science news article. PAS Publication & Website Committee Head Lanz Lagman co-organized the #SciScribe event, which gained approximately 80 attendees consisting of students, teachers, and other science enthusiasts. 6 | THE APPULSE
PAS, BSYA head AstroContests
PAS President Margie PariĂąas, PAS Events Committee Head Hernan Dizon, BSYA Moderator Pablo Cajigal, Jr., and BSYA President Angelica Tang headed the 25th NAW AstroContests held at Abbot Lopez Hall, San Beda University, Manila on February 24, 2018. The contests include the usual AstroQuiz, On-the-spot Postermaking Competition, Astrophotography Competition, and Youth Video-making Competition. Cajigal hosted the AstroQuiz while the PAS Research Committee and Education Committee prepared the question and oversaw the tally of scores. Out of 20 participating schools with teams comprised of Grades 7-10 junior high school students, the Philippine Science High School Team-A won 1st Place, while the Philippine Science High School Team-B and Manila Science High School won 2nd Place and 3rd Place respectively. The Grade School Category and High School Category divided the On-the-spot Postermaking Competition. Out of seven contestants for the Grade School Category, Kaitlyn Cua, Nica Steffany Jimenez, and Matthew Llanes won the competition. For the High School Category, out of over 50 contestants, Shelo Carlos, Anne Rose Maglaqui, Xiomara Yumol won the competition.
PAS NEWS The Astrophotography Competition for junior high school students yielded 5 winners, namely: 1st Place Winner Jeane Claudette Llorin, 2nd Place Winner Larheigne Angelika Corpuz, 3rd Place Winner Marielle Calicdan, 4th Place Winner Jem Marielle De Guzman, and 5th Place Winner Aiven Carl Baun. The Youth Video-making Competition open for contestants aged 14-21 years resulted 3 winners, namely: 1st Place Winners Anna Mikayla Dizon, Rafael Maningas, and Akiko Orui of Diliman Preparatory School; 2nd Place Winners Jally Mae Baguhin, Mark Domingo, and Rianna Santiago of Sta. Lucia High School; 3rd Place Winners Elyssa Camba, Benjamin San Juan, and John Viray of Ramon Magsaysay High School. Twenty schools participated in the AstroContests including Bayanan Elementary School – Main, Diliman Preparatory School, F.G Calderon Integrated High School, Immaculate Heart of Mary College Parañaque, Manila Science High School, Taguig National High School, Manuel Araullo High School, Muntinlupa High School, Pasay City West High School, Philippine Science Highschool Main Campus, Pres. Diosdado Macapagal High School, Raja Soliman Science and Technology High School, Ramon Magsaysay High School, Rizal Experimental Station and Pilot School of Cottage Industries, Santolan Highschool, St. Edward Integrated High School, St. Lino Science High School, St. Lucia High School, St. Stephen’s High School, Tinajeros National High School.
Astronomy organizations conduct free telescope viewing
The PAS together with The Planetarium – National Museum along with BSYA, Manila Street Astronomers (MSA), Astronomical League of the Philippines (ALP), and other local astronomy organizations based in Manila held a public telescope
viewing at Luneta Park, Manila on the evening of February 24, 2018. Each organization set up their telescopes on the open field where people wishing to look through the telescopes can line up to wait for their turns. Telescope operation experts from different astronomical organizations assisted the crowd in viewing certain celestial objects. People from different ages and social status took turns in looking through the telescopes for free. The 25th NAW is made possible through the collaboration of DOST; PAGASA; National Space Development Program; the National Museum; Philippine Microsat; PAS; ALP; MSA; The Park Astronomers; Philippine Union of Student Organizations for Astronomy; Junior Astronaut Academy; University of the Philippines (UP) Astronomical Society; UP-Los Baños Astronomical Society; UP-Baguio Astronomy Society; UP National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education Development; Mindanao State University Astronomy Club; Bataan Peninsula State University Astromical Society; Rizal Technological Institute Astronomy Society; Organization of New Era Students of Astronomy; Ateneo League of Physicists; Manila Observatory; De La Salle University Optical Society; University of Santo Tomas Applied Physics Society; Physics Society of Adamson University; Junior Philippine Physics Society – Siliman University; BSYA; Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Laboratory High School Astronomy, Science and Technology, Research Association; Judenites Astronomical Organizations; Philippine Science High School Astronomical Society; The Mind Museum; Philippine Science Centrum; GAIA; and GAIA – Oracle. NAW is an annual event conducted to celebrate astronomy in the Philippines every third week of February, as declared by Former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos on May 27, 1993, in his Proclamation No. 130, according to the Official Gazette of the Philippines.
NO “I” IN TEAM. Student contestants discussed among their team members the best possible answer to an astronomy question during the NAW 2018 AstroQuiz on February 24, 2018 at San Beda University, Manila. Photo by Denise Valentino THE APPULSE | 7
SPACE REPORT
RECENT ASTRONOMICAL
advancements
The Appulse Editorial Team is one with the scientific community in celebrating the achievements of our fellow astronomers. The team listed down a timeline of notable astronomical achievements from October 2017 to June 2018. We are proud to include the achievement of the Filipino astronomer who has dedicated his life to pursuing his passion.
February 6, 2018
SpaceX launches Falcon Heavy, the most powerful operating rocket, and second strongest to Apolloera rockets that propelled man to the moon. SpaceX successfully separated Falcon Heavy’s three rocket boosters and landed two in controlled burns at Cape Canaveral, Florida. The third booster’s fate is currently unknown.
October 25, 2017
Astronomers from Haleakala, Maui spotted the first-known deep-space comet today. The celestial body, which was seen to follow a hyperbolic trajectory, unbound from the sun, was captured by the PanSTARRS telescope.
December 29, 2017
Arecibo, a radar from Puerto Rico, provided high-resolution images of the 3200 Phaethon asteroid. The rock comet is known as the second largest near-Earth asteroid classified as potentially hazardous.
December 27, 2017
A new AI software program that can detect and analyze gravitational waves was launched on this day. The program uses a technique called deep filtering where researchers can recreate cataclysmic events that other software may not be able to detect.
8 | THE APPULSE
January 31, 2018
Today, the super blue blood moon eclipse was witnessed by millions of astronomers and astronomy enthusiasts. This rare occurrence, brought about by three separate celestial events, only happens every 150 years.
SPACE REPORT March 28, 2018
Today, NASA’s James Webb telescope launch was delayed due to “technical snags” and “avoidable errors.” According to NASA’s acting administrator Robert Lightfoot, the team still needed to successfully integrate both halves of the observatory into final flight configuration and complete some vital testing. The new target launch window is estimated to be on May 2020.
May 31, 2018
Ever heard of electric dark matter? On this day, two scientists from the Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics proposed a new model suggesting that a fraction of the universe’s dark matter have a tiny electrical charge. It is in their hopes to contribute a plausible theory to the debated Experiment to Detect the Global Epoch of Reionization Signature or EDGES.
February 9, 2018
On this day, NASA reported that the Long Range Reconnaissance Imager or LORRI of the New Horizons space probe captured several Kuiper belt objects and dwarf planets at unique phase angles.
April 18, 2018
The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), a breakthrough all-sky space satellite, was launched into space on this day. The instrument scientist of the NASA-funded TESS is Dr. Joel Villaseñor, a Filipino scientist who graduated with a degree in Physics from Caltech and a doctoral degree in Plasma Physics from MIT. THE APPULSE | 9
SPACE REPORT
RECENT ASTRONOMICAL ADVANCEMENTS
commentaries For the 4th Quarter of 2017
For the 1st Quarter of 2018
The surge of news articles proves that as astronomy instruments get sharper, we’ll be discovering more exciting objects around us and hopefully, our technology will become sophisticated enough to determine the stellar origins of space objects. Furthermore, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is fusing together with current technology, and we can only expect its application and improvement to different fields of study in Astronomy. If our instruments can detect several terabytes of data per night and process vast amounts of data, we’ll be encouraged to find more ingenious ways to put this to good use.
Rare celestial events continue to astound and unite us not only because of their innate beauty, but also due to the ever-growing influence of astronomy popularization on social media. The super blue blood moon eclipse was broadcasted live on several local and international media outlets, and it also graced the front pages of newspapers. SpaceX has launched its rocket Falcon Heavy. While the launch of the Tesla roadster with Starman among other equipment with it, the most astounding prospect of the launch is it solidifies that we’re living
REFERENCES: https://www.nasa.gov/feature/new-horizons-captures-record-breaking-images-in-the-kuiper-belt https://www.theguardian.com/science/live/2018/feb/06/spacex-falcon-heavy-launch-elon-musk-live-updates https://nypost.com/2017/10/26/astronomers-spot-first-ever-interstellar-comet/ http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/scitech/technology/653275/nasa-funded-pinoy-scientisttalks-about-living-his-childhood-dream/story/
10 | THE APPULSE
SPACE REPORT in the era when SpaceX rocket launches and the lands the reusable boosters for the next reuse. More space (projects) of increasing sizes will be done and launched which means more and more people will be involved. From the accumulating experience of developing, launching and reusing rockets, perhaps we could after all reach for Mars before the greater half of this century passes. NASA has always been at the forefront of discovering the secrets of our solar system’s backyard. With our imaging techniques and instrumentations continuously advancing, capturing images of Kuiper Belt Objects will hopefully produce wallpaper-quality images instead of pixelated ones. While the delay of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) launch is saddening, it is expected that several roadblocks be encountered before that “Eureka!” moment. The Hubble telescope, the Webb’s famous predecessor, was launched seven years after the initial date. It wasn’t a smooth road for the Hubble telescope because it needed to have its optics fixed after it was launched in space because the first images captured were blurry.
it was created by a team of international scientists. One of them is Filipino physicist Dr. Joel Villaseñor, who worked as an instrument scientist for the TESS. In an exclusive GMA News SciTech article, Villasenor said that working with NASA is a dream that Filipino scientists can achieve, if they work alongside universities and finish grad school. So far, we still don’t know much about dark matter. Right now, two American scientists are building a theory on the concept that a fraction of dark matter might have weak electrical charges. Their theory might be the answer to the interesting findings of the Experiment to Detect the Global EoR (Epoch of Reionization) Signature or EDGES collaboration, in which a radio signature was detected from the first generation of stars. There are more local and international achievements that the Astronomy community can be proud of. The team can’t wait to share an updated version of these in next quarter’s issue. As veteran science journalist TJ Dimacali puts it: “Maglayag tayo sa mga tala.”
Aside from capturing more near-infrared wavelengths, the JWST is a much more complex machine not only as it aims to go beyond the discoveries of the Kepler, TESS and Hubble, but also on the process that it deploys in space that it unfolds several times in order to expand its segmented mirrors and sunshield. It has been named as NASA’s “premier observatory of the next decade”, and it is scheduled to be launched in 2021.
For the 2nd Quarter of 2018 The TESS aims to complement the discoveries of its predecessor, the Kepler satellite. What’s exciting and unique about the TESS is that
https://www.space.com/39637-artificial-intelligence-search-gravitational-waves.html https://astronomynow.com/2017/12/29/arecibo-radar-returns-with-asteroid-phaethon-images/ https://astronomynow.com/2018/03/28/webb-telescopes-launch-delayed-until-2020/ https://astronomynow.com/2018/05/31/is-at-least-some-dark-matter-electrically-charged-maybe/ https://phys.org/news/2018-01-moon-hasnt-years.html Image source: Pixabay.com THE APPULSE | 11
BAKA SAKALI. A stargazer wishes on a passing meteorite as he sat beside couple of cows (baka) on May 5, 2018 atop Big Handy’s Grounds, Tanay, Rizal. Photo by Kenneth Chua
FEATURE
RADIO ACTIVE INTERVIEW
WITH
RIZCHEL
MASONG
By Daud Kim Anthony So During PAS’ latest monthly lecture last June, Rizchel Masong—a pioneer of radio astronomy research and development at the De La Salle University, Manila—was featured. Masong is a graduate student under the university’s M.S Physics Program and a member of OPTICS (Optics, Photonics Technology, Instrumentation and Conversion Science) research group. He also has an insatiable urge to promote the discipline of radio astronomy or astrophysics in general public. So, I grabbed the chance to interview him about the future of radio astronomy in the Philippines.
Daud Kim Anthony So (DS): What do radio astronomers do? Rizchel Masong (RM): Radio astronomers study celestial objects through the band of radio frequency that they emit. Their properties aredetected, measured, and analyzed. DS: What made you interested in radio astronomy? RM: My interest came lately after realizing why we don’t have our own local radio telescope. I was also inspired by Dr. Sese, the primary proponent for our local Space Agency, to pursue this field after finding appreciation and amusement with radio astronomy. DS: What does it take to become a radio astronomer in the Philippines? RM: Actually, I cannot call myself yet as a real radio astronomer. What I am actually doing is using the knowledge that I acquired (and still acquiring) in my studies. It takes a lot of time, effort, and passion since formal education of radio astronomy here in the Philippines is not easily accessible. I would like to emphasize that math and physics is highly essential if you are planning to become one. 14 | THE APPULSE
DS: Any particular field in radio astronomy that you specialize in? Can you tell us more about what you are currently working on? RM: Right now I don’t have any sort of specialization, but what I am planning to choose to observe is either solar radio burst or other celestial radio sources. Why not dig deeper? (Laughs) Currently, we are dealing with the most suitable antenna design that will could cope up to the natural Radio Frequency Inference (RFI) present on the region of interest. DS: Is there a market for radio astronomers here in the Philippines? Why or why not? RM: I can’t say it yet. Since this discipline is just emerging here in our country. DS: Have there been any advancements in radio astronomy? Can you give us a few examples? RM: The greatest advancement that I could recall so far is the upgrade that will make the VLBA’s (Very Long Baseline Array) receiving system for 22 GHz to be 30 percent more sensitive. This will enhance the VLBA’s capability to advance a key area of science
using rotating disks of water molecules at the cores of distant galaxies to make precise measurements of the distances to those galaxies. DS: What challenges have you faced in your line of work? RM: So far the great challenge that I faced is the lack of support and access to funding, since this is just starting in our university. Persuading the higher ups through its long-term gains will become a great task and work in progress. DS: Who were the audience at your lecture? What was the nature of your lecture and how did you intend on engaging with the audience? RM: It is a general audience, but the majority was composed of senior high school students. The nature of my lecture is more on persuasive— informative. I decided to make the lecture less technical since I wanted them to get inspired rather than be scared. (Laughs)
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Image courtesy of the Bedan Society of Young Astronomers
“
It takes a lot of time, effort, and passion since formal education of radio astronomy here in the Philippines is not easily accessible.
RM: I am hoping that I touched their hearts by inspiring them to pursue an astronomy career someday. DS: Were there any interesting questions during the Q&A portion? If there are, can you share one together with your answer? RM: The most interesting question that I received is “How to promote radio astronomy to kids?” This is also fascinating because I am taking the initiative to make the resources available and understandable—for kids to understand. DS: What is your advice to all aspiring astronomers in the Philippines? RM: Some sort of advice that I could give you is to establish your basic foundations by enhancing your knowledge in mathematics and physics. This will save you time in understanding and describing the mechanisms found throughout the universe. Also, find a group of people that could act as your mentors. This will help you a lot for both good and bad times. A
DS: What were your expectations after you finished delivering your lecture? THE APPULSE | 15
FEATURE
may serrano
chatting with
of big handy’s grounds
Image courtesy of May Serrano
By Mark Joseph Bantayan
16 | THE APPULSE
M
FEATURE
AY Serrano, one of the owners and co-stewards of Big Handy’s Grounds, advocates of nature-dependent living, dark sky sanctuaries, nature preservation and native tree reforestation; shares us her insights about conducting stargazing events with the Philippine Astronomical Society (PAS). Mark Bantayan (MB): Hi, this is Mark. I’m the interviewer. So, let us start with a few introductions. How do you want our readers to know you? Besides as PAS partner for our events? May Serrano (MS): As an advocate of off-grid living, nature dependence, nature preservation, native tree reforestation and dark sky sanctuaries and dog lovers. MB: Exactly what the world needs right now! MS: Yes! It’s a mission that’s dear to my heart. MB: So this is the idea behind Big Handy’s Grounds, or was it Big Handy’s that brought you to this advocacy? MS: Exactly. Big Handy’s opened my eyes to all this. My Pre-Big H life was very different. MB: I see. How different? Were you like all of us city dwellers? Always on a hurry, always stressed out? MS: I also almost gave up on Big H within a year of starting it. I had a hard time adjusting to the physical demands. I was very much a city girl. Maarte, very business-focused, but nature spoke to me and that’s when everything fell into place. MB: Can you tell us more about how Big Handy’s started? How did you decide that this is the kind of place what you wanted to run and not a hotel resort somewhere down south? It would’ve earned you more bucks. MS: May I share with you an article I wrote for the Native Trees book? It has a bit of our history. MB: Wow. Sure ma’am. MS: “Our tiangkot tree is special to me. It grows in what used to be an inaccessible crevasse littered with plant debris on our farm in Tanay. In 2012, my husband and I decided to take over the Tanay property that my family wanted to sell. We are not farmers or foresters or even outdoorsy but I knew how much that property meant to my dad. It was a much opposed purchase he made back in the 90s but his failing health prevented him from venturing into it. I understand why the family considered it disposable. It had little resale value—it was wild land. Off the grid. No electricity or running water. Adjacent to the highway but the access road is rough, but my sentimentality kicked in and I traded my share of the family pie for it.
“Less than a year into our Tanay gamble, I began to have second thoughts. I was physically drained from our weekends—carrying heavy supplies up the rocky road, washing dishes under a downspout in the rain, sleeping on wooden benches, living by candlelight and feeling so guilty that my husband, already tired from his workweek, was spending his weekends doing hard labor at the farm building a bridge over the crevasse under the tiangkot treetop. “One late night, my husband was fast asleep and I was gripped with anxious doubt and a restless exhaustion. I felt on the verge of a breakdown. I walked out to the bridge, under the tiangkot tree, fell to my knees and cried. They say talking to trees helps them grow but what no one says is that if you have an existential crisis under a tree and cry out for direction, the tree might answer—and it did. Two simple words were whispered: “Share this”. Immediately, my heart felt still and my eyes focused. I saw the night sky filled with stars so bright they caused the tiangkot’s leathery leaves to glimmer. The mission was now clear. “Once we gained access to it, we developed a love for tiangkot. The leaves, dark green, leathery, divided, like a fern’s but orderly and geometric reminiscent of army chevrons. The flowers look like cream colored 3D starbursts crossed with a blush on brush. The pods, when young, look like fat green caterpillars. When ripe, they are not shy. They are plentiful, plump, a brilliant shade of coral and stand out against the deep green leaves. They are c-shaped, curled and lumpy, almost cartoonish to see, as if someone hung rubber baby teething toys on the branches. “Now, things have fallen into place. We’ve gone from expedition mode to a life-long experiment on nature dependence and protection. We’re still off grid but now solar panels power our lights and spring water, powered by gravity runs through our pipes. The farm is now a stargazing hub we shared with the Philippine Astronomical Society. We called it ‘Big Handy’s Grounds’ in memory of my dad, an explorer and adventurer in his youth and a nature lover till his last breath. We are mission fueled to keep the night sky full of stars and our forests filled with native trees. The mission to propagate the wild trees that decided to take root in Big Handy’s, especially the tiangkot, is to make sure the species survives, that others get to enjoy its beauty and that maybe, hopefully, a troubled soul will seek refuge under one and find the answers she needs.” MB: That was beautiful. I feel guilty asking why you didn’t choose a cash cow type of business. This article answered a lot of questions. Is it alright to quote from this article? THE APPULSE | 17
FEATURE MS: That’s an interesting question. Honestly, it was and still is tempting to turn it into a full blown resort/resto moneymaker but it doesn’t sit right with my soul to do so. The water that will be consumed and the garbage that will be generated in such a venture would put so much stress on the land. Our goal is to keep at AT LEAST self-sustaining. Also, it’s an experiment my husband and I enjoy: how much or how little do we really need to live a good life? MB: How and where did you learn about managing the place? It must’ve been daunting at the start, considering both you and your husband had no background in forestry. MS: Facebook and Google, haha! And to be honest, we don’t really “manage” it. MB: The place must be managing itself.
know how to use FB yet back then so I emailed all the groups. PAS was the first responder. MB: Was it then and there that the first event was organized? MS: Yes. It was Von Delelis who responded. I said we have an off grid property and a 360 view of the sky and he said they would love to come see the place. I wish i had the emails still but they’re in an old account and I forgot my password. MB: So how did it go when they checked out the place? MS: It was funny because my husband Ernie [which I prefer to call Big E] and I had no idea what to expect. They just showed up, around 40 PASers and the rest is history. Back then we only had 1 bathroom downstairs behind the
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Believe in magic but don’t rely on it. Dreams come true when it’s time. MS: My husband is an architect/contractor so he manages what we build and we only build as needed. We’d like to keep Big H as close to wild as possible. However, we saw the need for bathrooms in the campground and the kitchen downstairs so he built them. Nakakahiya, but our motto is bahala na si Batman, hehe.
MB: Nature is self-sustaining. Creating structures that can blend in with the surroundings very well is hard work. Considering that structures must not disrupt the place that much. MS: Yes. We want to make as small an impact as possible. The long term goal is to keep the upper grounds as bare as possible so we maintain the 360 view of the sky for stargazing events. And we plan to turn the lower grounds into a private park/native tree zoo. MB: Tell us about Big Handy’s relationship with PAS. How did it begin? MS: It happened after the voice spoke “share this” to me. As soon as we got back to Manila, I Googled “astronomy groups in the Philippines”. UP Astrosoc, ALP, and PAS came up. I didn’t 18 | THE APPULSE
house and we felt so bad especially for the girls. That’s when we decided to build the bathrooms upstairs. Yes! And it just felt right. Big E and I used to sit and watch the stars on our own and sharing the experience was magical. Plus I learned so much that night. Back then, most of our friends were our age. Not a lot of them had the desire to rough it up. PAS infused the grounds with a youthful spirit. Also, we’ve never been exposed to the scientific community and the amount of knowledge and tips we got from the PASers was like fuel to me. had no astro knowledge back then and it was a brain-opener to me. MB: Typically people feel anxious when they host an event, and then they feel relieved when it’s all all over. I see the first encounter with PAS had been fun for you. MS: It was through PAS that we learned meteor showers came on schedule, that constellations move like clockwork and my all-time soul fave was when they showed us the Milky Way for the first time. That brought me to tears. The only stress is cleaning the bathrooms afterwards. I was telling sila Ugi [Astapan] that PAS
FEATURE should “own” the astrocamp brand and that Big H will always be a happy host for such events. PAS camps have taught me so much and opened my brain and heart. I can only imagine how many other people will be touched as well. MB: Big Handy’s has been gracious to PAS. The Ground gave us an opportunity to do things we wouldn’t have otherwise been able to do in Manila. MS: Love for nature plus science is a magical combo. MB: Yes they are! So far, what can you say about the astrocamps since October 2017? What has PAS been doing right? What can be done differently? MS: I love that PAS camps have become very organized. It’s come to a point where Big E and I have full trust that they’ll arrive all together, manage the campers and do the lectures. Now, the only thing we have to worry about is the water supply. I’ve also observed that more people are able to take good, inventive pictures. As much as I am amazed at astronomical bodies and deep sky objects, I think it’s important that campers get a souvenir pic with themselves included. It is a great boost to astroenthusiasm when people post their pics on Facebook. MB: I agree with that. Even when I was still learning, just getting a pic of myself holding a telescope was blissful. What was it like back when PAS wasn’t as organized? Do you have any funny stories to share? MS: Back then it involved a lot of running up and down the hill and my old knees weren’t happy anymore. MB: Must have been tough but fun! MS: Also, the threat of rain is always a concern. The wet Geminids observation is only funny now, but back then, we were in a panic. But that’s what I love about PAS. The koboy spirit is strong. MB: Given what you’ve seen with PAS, what do you think is the direction of astronomy and astronomy education in the country? MS: I see an uptick of interest. Majority of the campers listen attentively to the lectures. I think PAS’s leg-up is that its audience are its peers. Same age group, same lingo, same world. My hope is that astronomy education will go hand in hand with nature preservation. I hope that astrocamps will be a nationwide phenomena. I hope dark sky sanctuaries like Big H will be set up and protected nationwide. MB: I agree that nature preservation should be integral to the astronomers’ agenda. Light and air pollution is hindering their work. But most importantly looking at the stars while being surrounded by trees must be magical.
MS: I’ve seen that a lot of campers are creatives and that, coupled with scientific knowledge, has the ability to touch both the brain and the heart. MB: Considering what PAS and Big Handy’s had been through, what do you think other astronomical organizations in the country can learn from us? MS: Make room for the youth. Think multi-generational. Make use of technology without losing the personal touch. By youth I mean your generation. Think forward, add some poetry, bring together mind and soul. That’s what I love about the recent PAS camps. MB: Makes me sad to have never attended an astrocamp. Woe to the working students. Haha. MS: Accessible; follow up info on social media is also key. I love that PAS, through people like you, make those available to laymen enthusiasts like me. Mark, someday let’s find a sched when you can make it! MB: There’s very few people who’ll freely admit that there was a defining moment in their lives. What advice can you give to people who haven’t had their moment under the tiangkot tree? MS: Yes! Much gratitude! I used to feel na kawawa ang Pinas ‘cause when I Google things about astro, it usually shows sites from other countries. Now, we have you all and your work on the PAS page. There is a great future in Philippine astronomy. So many great brains! MB: Do you have any suggestions for future PAS events? MS: Super unscientific answer ha? I believe that each of us are innately gifted but there is a period where we have to pay our dues, so to speak. It just happens. Believe in magic but don’t rely on it. Dreams come true when it’s time. It took me 40+ roller coaster years and the ride still isn’t over. MB: We’re are about to end. Just wanna ask you to invite our readers to join astrocamp and come visit Big Handy’s! MS: I love how astronomy can be summed up in a cheesy, old nursery rhyme. Twinkle twinkle little star. How I wonder what you are. To all who wonder, all who are curious, all who want to understand, all who find inspiration and feel an upward tug when looking at the stars, come join us for an up close and personal experience with those diamonds (or are they gas giants?) in the sky! MB: Thank you too! It’s always an honor and a pleasure! A
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FEATURE
GETTING TO KNOW
Q&A
WITH
GARY ANDREASSEN By Denise Anne Valentino
There are many ways to ignite a spark of interest in astronomy among the common Filipinos. Gary Andreassen, shared with us how he continues to encourage simple pedestrians and passersby to engage in amateur astronomy: through the works of Manila Street Astronomers (MSA), a local astronomy organization he co-founded.
Philippine Astronomical Society (PAS): Can you tell us what MSA basically is? Gary Andreassen (GA): The Manila Street Astronomers is in one sentence—public astronomy outreach through free telescope viewings in malls, schools, and literal street corners. This is its core mission. MSA believes that the highest and purest form of amateur astronomy is public outreach— first and foremost. The MSA vision is to fill the marginally fulfilled niche of public astronomy outreach in a Philippine amateur astronomy scene characterized by two distinct focus areas: academic astronomy on one hand and astrophotography on the other. The aim is for MSA to provide the stabilizing third leg in cooperation and collaboration with the other two. The subtle implication of this vision is that we don’t do public outreach as a photo opportunity because there is an international astronomy event. We do it regularly regardless of whether there’s an event or not. When I say regularly, I mean two consecutive weekends monthly right before or after the first quarter and full moon. The subtle implication of the aim is that we don’t care which leg of the stool you predominantly belong to. If you’re interested even nominally in the third leg we represent, then there’s somewhere you can go to. MSA is a group of purely voluntary, student, and professional astronomers, members or non-members of academic or non-academic astronomy groups.
lot from malling with the family, I noticed that the parking lot is perfect to conduct a free telescope viewing at. It had a wide central walkway with an unobstructed view of the East and West. To top it off, there’s lots of foot traffic as there is an access route from the parking lot to three very large private subdivisions beside it. Immediately the following day, I went up to the Admin office (not knowing anyone who works there), asked the receptionist who in their Events or Marketing department I can talk to regarding conducting a free telescope viewing for free. The stars were in alignment that day because the mall was actually looking for a way to maximize the central walkway for outdoor events and they couldn’t figure out how. Long story short, on January 19, 2013, we conducted our very first free telescope viewing at SM Southmall. A couple weeks back, Jupiter had been in opposition. I’m not really superstitious, and I hate astrology with a vengeance, but the fact that our very first event happened when the King of the planets was in opposition was very optimistic. That’s how the first MSA event happened. The “why” was two years before that, and it was all because of this telescope that I bought at National Book Store all for the princely sum of 800 pesos.
PAS: When and how did MSA begin? Why did you decide to start the organization?
When I first saw the moon through it, my reaction was overwhelmed as expected. After the initial “whoah” moment passed, my reaction turned to “I have got to make other people see this!” This was reinforced by my son, Steinar, when he told me after that first event that “This is our divine mission, Pa. I will be here for you for this.”
GA: I live right in front of SM Southmall in Las Pinas and one day on my way to the parking
PAS: What challenges did you overcome while founding MSA?
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FEATURE GA: MSA only had one telescope then and that was the greatest challenge. I never expected that there would be so many people wanting to look at the telescope. With only one telescope, the lines grew crazy long. I asked help from amateur astronomer colleagues of mine but unfortunately none of them could lend a hand because they all lived in Manila and traffic going to the south is horrendous. MSA’s other great challenge was that it was just my son and I doing the event. MSA was a father and son organization at the start. He would track the Moon and I would answer the questions from the viewers. Also, the only telescope we had was an astrophotography telescope: an 8-inch 800mm f/4.0 GSO. Besides the fact that it lacked back focus for observing (unless I used an extender), it was fine for viewing the Moon but not powerful enough to view Jupiter let alone Saturn. I needed a telescope with a longer focal length and I needed other people to help me out. With little help coming from my former astro club, I decided to strike it out on my own. Fortunately, I had the funds to acquire a pre-loved 10-inch dob and even more fortunately, when I made a shout out on Facebook for volunteers, two people responded. They were members of the Philippine Astronomical Society who lived in the south like I did (shout out to Gerard Siasat and Vicky Dizon). As the months passed, we got more and more volunteers (another shout out; this time to Jester Temporada).
The boom in MSA’s volunteers happened when I ventured out of my comfort zone in the South and went to the North in Quezon City. This was at University of the Philippines (UP) Town Center. This was when GAIA [or Guild for Astronomy Innovation and Advancement]led by Norman Marigza and now Philippine Coordinator of Global Astronomy Month came on board, quickly followed by Anthony Urbano of UP NISMED, Christopher Louie Lu of the Astronomical League of the Philippines, and then Kristine Atienza who would go on to found PUSO [or The Philippine Union of Student Organizations for Astronomy]. These four are the Core Group co-founders of MSA. MSA’s challenge now is that we have so many volunteers and only have three telescopes. MSA will need to add one more telescope soon hopefully before the start of the next astro-season in. Hopefully, a bigger SCT on another GOTO mount. PAS: How many members do you have? Mostly on what age range? GA: This “business plan” of volunteerism is what defines the organizational structure of MSA. We don’t have members per se, we have volunteers.
Image sources: Gary Andreassen photo& MSA logo courtesy of Manila Street Astronomers Background Photo courtesy of http://pinoykollektor.blogspot.com
In 2015, I acquired a brand new 8-inch SCT and a mount with GOTO. Coupled with a 2X Barlow and a 12mm long eye relief eyepiece, it made the views of Jupiter and Saturn so much better for the public. These three telescopes form the core of our free telescope viewings till now.
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Our volunteers come from different astro-groups and bulks of them are college students. We don’t have a membership fee and we also don’t have officers like most organizations. As the founder, my real job is to schedule activities, where and when and how. In a lot of ways, all I am is just the groups’ event organizer and transporter of telescopes. I provide the telescopes, and the events, the volunteers do the actual heart of the activity. During the event, I take photos and document. The last time I handled a telescope during an event was more than years ago. Our contacts in Ayala Malls and SM Supermalls has allowed us to conduct our free telescope viewings on the four cardinal points of the Metro Manila compass—SM Morth EDSA and UP Town Center in the North, SM Ortigas East in the East, SM Dasmarinas and SM Molino in the West, Alabang Town Center and SM Southmall in the South, and SM MOA and Blue Bay in the Center.
“
...it was all because of this telescope that I bought…when I first saw the moon through it… my reaction turned to ‘I have got to make other people see this!’
“
For schools, we’ve done free telescope viewings for so many now that it’s difficult to name them all. Some of the most notable ones are for Manila Science High School, Quezon City Science High School, and Philippine Arts Center. PAS: What kind of projects, programs, and events does MSA usually conduct? GA: We only have one type of activity—free telescope viewings. That’s it. We focus our meager resources on doing one and only one type of activity and nothing else and try to enhance that one activity as much as possible. For example, at SM North EDSA, we started playing astronomy documentaries on a big screen. In between, we conduct interactive planetarium lectures on the same big screen while the free telescope viewing is going on. This is so that people in line are learning something while they’re in line. This also serves as our back up activity in case it’s cloudy. 22 | THE APPULSE
At SM Ortigas, with the use of a Mak C90 and a DSLR, we flashed a Live View of the Moon on a big screen so that people can already see what they’re going to see when they look through the eyepiece. One of our targets is to get a mobile planetarium to join us in our activities so that we will have both an indoor and an outdoor astronomy activity. Our biggest event however and the one that is exclusively Manila Street Astronomers is the Philippine Telescope Hour. We did the first one just this year in February 04. The idea behind it simple. For anyone in the whole country with a telescope to conduct a free telescope viewing in their respective areas and to do it all simultaneously with a Facebook live feed at the Manila Street Astronomers Facebook Page. PAS: How do you feel about MSA’s milestones so far? GA: As overwhelmed as I am by the amount of commitment that MSA engenders in its volunteers, when I think about all the other cities, provinces, and islands that comprises what we collectively call the Philippines, then I am simultaneously excited and depressed. Excited that there is so much more that we can do; so many other millions of eyes waiting. [John Dobson, the granddaddy of sidewalk astronomy once famously said that “A billion eyes are waiting.” Depressed because in four years, I have yet to replicate myself in another geographic area of the country. When I say replicate, I don’t mean clone—I mean influence someone from outside of Metro Manila who has the wherewithal to buy telescopes and transport them from place to place within his or her area and the commitment not to use the scopes for personal use but dedicate it to free telescope viewings. PAS: In general, what are your long-term goals for MSA? GA: There is no Cebu Street Astronomers yet or Bicol Street Astronomers. It’s a slow and agonizing process and sometimes I feel like I am too old to wait and would like to speed the process up because I may not have all the time left in the world. There is one candle in the dark in the person of Abdur Alindao, also a member of PAS and from Cavite, who has been buying telescopes and dedicating them to free telescope viewings. During Global Astronomy Month 2017, he did a free telescope viewing event on his own for thirty straight days in various areas around Tagaytay which MSA has been to. My dream for MSA is a telescope in every city helmed by someone with a fire in their heart: to show people the wonders of our Creator’s night sky, to believe as I do that the true value of a telescope is how many people have seen the heavens through it. A
COSMIC COLLECTIVES
PAS CONDUCTS MONTHLY LECTURE AT ATENEO A REFLECTION By Paolo Tan
The Philippine Astronomical Society (PAS) held a talk at the Leong Hall Roofdeck at the Ateneo de Manila University’s main campus on October 28. This event was attended by participants from various disciplines, experiences and universities. One thing they had in common was their shared interest and passion for Astronomy. Today’s PAS talk was co-hosted by the Ateneo League of Physicists. The topics presented were Astronomical Perspectives by Manila Street Astronomers Founder Gary Anderssen and The Pale Blue Dot and the Pink Blob: An Interface of the Mind and the Cosmos by Arvin Jay Boller, a Lecturer from Ateneo de Manila University. Some of PAS’s key events include talks given to schools, and telescope viewings in areas where many people congregate. The PAS members don’t wait for the public to go to these telescopes, they reach out and bring the telescopes to where the people are. With this strategy, PAS has achieved a great deal of success in multiple areas, and the general public were shown to have lined up just for a chance to look down some of the telescopes. In a heartwarming moment, a picture depicted a young boy, clearly still in his early schooling years, staring in wonder up at the night sky. This sense of wonder was something extremely special, not only for the organizers and facilitators, but for the boy himself. This moment was (in the most literal sense of the world) an eye opener, and it could very well have piqued his interest in pursuing the astronomical sciences. Most people can relate to this boy in one way or another. We have all experienced significant events in our lives, which we can classify as ‘eye openers’. These experiences have shaped the very foundations of who we are as people today. We see the night sky at the end of every day of our lives, and often, we take things like this for granted. But PAS has proven that certain things, when viewed through a different lens for the very first time, can leave a person in utter awe, because of the complexity of what may have been considered mundane. Today, PAS did not simply give a talk on their advocacies and the pursuit of astronomical study. They advocated for a change in perspective, for inspiration, and for wonder. They unveiled the importance of seeing things in a different way for the first time, and how lifetime impressions can be created with a single moment. To be a part of PAS, all one needs is interest in the universe, and the first time membership fee of 700 pesos, and subsequent yearly renewals of 500 pesos. One can then choose to join a range of committees and can participate in and volunteer for PAS events in the future. A Image source: pixabay.com THE APPULSE | 23
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