Nainital: The annual Nakshatra Mahotsav, organised by Nainital tourism and Astrostops Observatory, concluded in Takula village in the district on Saturday. The three-day event featured a plethora of activities centred around stargazing and astronomy.
Many participants from across the country, including youths and girls from rural areas in Uttarakhand engaged in activities, including constellation exploration, planet and star observation, deep-sky viewing, telescope sessions and solar observation. Bonfire and jamming sessions, jungle trekking, light painting, and a hydro rocketry competition were also highlights of the event. Scientists from Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) also led sessions on astronomy.
Astrostops co-founder Rahul Pangti said, “We aim to include astronomy enthusiasts from across India, including students and professionals. Uttarakhand’s dark skies, with less light pollution, offer ideal stargazing conditions, comparable to Leh-Ladakh. We hope to inspire students to pursue careers in astronomy, especially those with limited resources and knowledge.”
Nikita, 20, a BSc student from Champawat, said, “I developed an interest in astronomy in class 8 and have been seeking opportunities to join astronomy events since. I’m looking forward to a future in space sciences to serve my country.”
Megha Pant, a BSc student from Bairinagh district in Pithoragarh, said, “I received a sponsorship from Vigyanshala to join this event. My interest in astronomy began when I started studying stars, and I hope to pursue space sciences and work for esteemed organisations like ISRO and NASA.”
Chandra Shekhar Sati, 35, an HR professional from Delhi, shared, “I began learning astrology during the Covid pandemic, which sparked my curiosity. Since then, I’ve attended astro events and noticed growing enthusiasm among youth. These events help students understand how things work and guide them in building a future in the field.”