{"id":1732,"date":"2017-10-17T05:38:14","date_gmt":"2017-10-17T05:38:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hrncet.jfn.ac.lk\/?page_id=1732"},"modified":"2025-11-08T18:28:16","modified_gmt":"2025-11-08T18:28:16","slug":"outreachties","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/hrncet.jfn.ac.lk\/index.php\/outreachties\/","title":{"rendered":"Outreach Activities"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Annular Solar Eclipse \u2013 2019:\u00a0<\/strong><\/a>Observation camp at the University of Jaffna<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

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National Annular Solar Eclipse Observation camps were established at the premises of the University of Jaffna in Thirunelveli and Kilinochchi with financial support from the Ministry of Technology and Innovation and the Norwegian Embassy in Colombo.\u00a0 The program has aimed to <\/strong>foster an interest in science and mathematics, particularly astronomy, among students, highlighting the importance of rational thinking and the dangers of superstition, promote north\u2013south scientific dialogue, and initiate astronomical research in Sri Lanka.<\/p>\n

Unexpected clearing of the sky in the morning invigorated everyone. The outreach programme was successfully organised by the University of Jaffna in collaboration with the University of Colombo and Western Norway University of Applied Science. At both premises of the University of Jaffna, up to 5,000 students
\nand the public actively participated and witnessed the rare event through solar eclipse glasses and high-end astronomical telescopes provided by the Department of Physics, University of West Georgia, and the Departments of Physics, University of Colombo and Peradeniya. Physics Professors Kirthi Tennnakone and Adjith de
\nAlwis conducted experimentation designed to measure solar spectral irradiance, solar intensity, and atmospheric ozone variation during the eclipse. Professors Kirthi Tennnakone, Kathirgamanathan Kandasamy, Sivakolundu Srisatkunarajah, Chanda Jayaratna, Punniamoorthy Ravirajan, and Adjith de Alwis gave technical presentations about the Annual Solar Eclipse. The Astronomical Society of the University of Colombo also provided astronomical telescopes and eclipse projecting instruments. Media unit of the Faculty of Science, University of Colombo, and several media groups enthusiastically covered the event internationally. The Physics Society of the University of Jaffna sold custom-designed T-shirts among the participants. Several students from the Universities of Jaffna, Colombo, Peradeniya, and the National Institute of Fundamental Studies volunteered to help, attending work connected with the program and were exposed to the research and technical components of the activity.<\/span><\/p>\n

An article titled \u201cHistorical Solar Eclipses \u201cwritten by Prof. Kirthi Tennakone for the purpose, which appeared in Island Newspaper (http:\/\/www.island.lk\/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article ), received much attention, motivating students and the general public. Before this event, members of the Clean Energy Research Laboratory, Dept. of Physics, University of Jaffna and the Astronomical Society, Dept. of Physics, University of Colombo jointly conducted an awareness programme nationwide with the assistance of Science and Technology officers attached to Vidatha Resource centres attached to each divisional secretariat. Quiz examination related to Eclipse and Astronomy, General Science and Mathematics was also conducted in schools nationwide for creating awareness on the Annual Solar Eclipse. Top performers in each divisional secretariat of the country were honoured by the State Minister and the Secretary of Technology and Innovation, and the Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, who graced the occasion, emphasising the high-level commitment to promotion of astronomical studies in the country. An informative note on activities in Jaffna during the eclipse will be presented at the Proceedings of the Georgia Academy of Sciences, United States, and plans are underway to publish the results of measurements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
No.<\/strong><\/td>\nTask<\/strong><\/td>\nOutcomes<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1.<\/td>\nTraining 200 school teachers and undergraduates about the Annular Solar Eclipse and safety observation issues.<\/td>\nOver 200 undergraduates, school teachers, RAs, and Science & Technology Officers (STOs) attached to divisional secretariats were trained by the two teams headed by Prof.P.Ravirajan and Prof.Chanda Jayaratne from the Universities of Jaffna and Colombo, respectively.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2.<\/td>\nConducting a quiz examination in schools nationwide to create awareness on the solar Eclipse and also select student participants for the observation camps.<\/td>\nExamination conducted nationwide with assistance from teachers and STOs. 25,000 exam papers were distributed through STOs (100 per officer). Before having the exam, information sessions on solar eclipses were conducted by RAs and\/or STOs at the schools. Top performers in each divisional secretariat were honoured at the National Annular Solar Eclipse Observation camp.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3.<\/td>\nProviding awareness among the school students and the public on safety issues to be taken by them during the solar eclipse.<\/td>\nA website (event.jfn.ac.lk\/eclipse\/<\/a>) was created for uploading the instructions about solar eclipse observation, safety issues and articles relevant to eclipses. We conducted several Publicity and awareness activities through Newspaper articles, TV and Radio.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4.<\/td>\nConducting observation camps to cater to about 3,000 participants (including undergraduates, teachers, and school students) at the university premises.<\/td>\nMore than 5,000 participants participated in National Annular Solar Eclipse Observation camps arranged at Thirunelveli and Kilinochchi premises of the University of Jaffna.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5.<\/td>\nLectures and eclipse activities were live-telecasted\/webcasted throughout the country.<\/td>\nSuccessfully live-streamed the event internationally with the assistance of Media Units of the University of Colombo and other private media.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\"\"\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\"\"<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Examination to select students for the Observation camp in Jaffna and <\/span>Kilinochchi<\/span><\/h4>\n

Application form<\/a> and Flyer\u00a0<\/a><\/h4>\n

Northern Sri Lanka will witness an annular eclipse on 26th December 2019. Ancients feared solar eclipses and considered them a sign of evil to come. Yet some philosophers of antiquity and Panchangam (Hindu Calendar) understood that solar eclipses happen when the moon obscures the sun. Modern science enabled the calculation of the dates and times of eclipse occurrences to the utmost precision. Measurements conducted during solar eclipses had also unravelled many physical phenomena. A total or an annular eclipse appearing in the skies above the land you live in is regarded as a blessing. These awesome celestial events arouse curiosity and masses watching the display, who feel that \u201call are humbly united in front of the sun and moon\u201d. The appearance of a total or annular solar eclipse is a rare opportunity to cultivate scientific inquisitiveness and human unity. University of Jaffna, in collaboration with University of Colombo and Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, plans to organise an eclipse observing camp in Jaffna and Killinochchi, mainly for students and conduct lectures on related astronomical topics. Plans are also made to conduct scientific measurements for research during the eclipse. <\/span>These activities are co-sponsored by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Research, Sri Lanka and the HRNCET project (https:\/\/hrncet.jfn.ac.lk\/<\/a>).<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Organising committee (http:\/\/event.jfn.ac.lk\/eclipse\/index.php\/organizing-committee\/<\/a>) of the Solar Eclipse Program \u2013 2019 made arrangements to conduct a written examination (questions will be related to Eclipse and Astronomy in general) on December 13, 2019 (Friday) among school students (Grade 8-10). Before this examination, an informative video session on the Solar Eclipse will be displayed at the examination centre to create awareness and train a few hundred school students about the Annular Solar Eclipse and safety observation issues.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 For more details of the eclipse, please visit\u00a0 https:\/\/www.timeanddate.com\/eclipse\/in\/sri-lanka\/jaffna.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 For registration to sit the examination, please visit http:\/\/event.jfn.ac.lk\/eclipse\/<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Applicant can also register by filling out a hard copy of the application available at their DS office. The application form can be photocopied.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Deadline for submission (online\/via DS office) of the application: 09.12.2019 (Monday).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Date of an informative session on Solar Eclipse and Examination: 13.12.2019 (Friday)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7 Details of the examination centres and other detail of the solar eclipse will be updated at\u00a0 http:\/\/event.jfn.ac.lk\/eclipse\/<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Educational Training on Clean Energy Technologies for School Students in Jaffna District<\/span><\/h3>\n

This programme was organized in collaboration with the Provincial Department of Education, Northern Province. From 6-14 March 2018, an educational training on CETs for 2684 school students from 56 schools in the Jaffna District was conducted. A total of 10 sessions, each of 2.5 hours duration, were organised at 6 different schools. Two sessions were conducted at Vembadi Girls\u2019 High School (Jaffna), Victoria College (Chullipuram), Mahajana College (Tellippalai) and Methodist Girls\u2019 High School (Point Pedro), whereas one session was carried out at Chavakachcheri Hindu College and Velanai Central College.<\/p>\n

Target group:<\/strong>\u00a0Grades 8-11 and G.C.E (A\/L) (2019 & 2020 batches of Science and Technology streams)<\/p>\n

Main features of the programme:<\/strong><\/p>\n