Benital Launches Month-Long Astro Camp with an Exciting Astro Party

By India Education Diary Bureau Admin On May 25, 2023

Chamoli: The District Administration of Chamoli, Government of Uttarakhand, in collaboration with Starscapes, kicked off the much awaited Astro Party to commence the one month long Astro Camp at Benital. The Astro Party was held from 19th to 21st of May, and the event offered visitors a never-before astronomy experience with activities such as stargazing, astro photography, solar observations, astronomy tambola, rocketry making, constellation viewing, and much more.

Commenting on the event, Himanshu Khurana, District Magistrate, Chamoli, Uttarakhand, said, “We are witnessing a concerning trend of increasing sky brightness, with a 10% annual rise in light pollution over the past decade, impacting wildlife and obstructing our view of the universe. Benital in Uttarakhand emerges as a rare gem with minimal human activities and low light pollution, offering an unparalleled, undisturbed view of the night sky. It is an ideal Dark Sky Location. Our vision for Benital as an Astro village encompasses two crucial objectives. Firstly, we aim to instill a deep sense of pride within the local community, showcasing the uniqueness and immense offerings of this remarkable place. Secondly, we strive to economically empower our youth, enabling them to engage in astro tourism activities and advocate for Benital as a premier dark sky destination. The involvement of the local community in preserving the pristine nature of the place plays a big role in developing this hamlet as a Dark Sky Location. In the past 1.5 years, we have made significant progress in establishing the necessary infrastructure and fostering enthusiasm among the local community. Our collaboration with partners like Starscapes, who possess a deep understanding of developing destinations into dark locations, further strengthens our mission. We look forward to hosting many more astro events in the coming months.”

As India’s leading astro tourism company and a member of the International Dark Sky Advocate Network, Starscapes has been actively working towards promoting Dark Sky locations in India to boost interest in astro-tourism. In addition to promoting astro-tourism, Starscapes is working closely with the local community to raise awareness about light pollution and its impact on the environment. Furthermore, they have been advocating for the implementation of dark sky regulations across India.

Commenting on the event, Ramashish Ray, Founder, Starscapes, said, “The Astro party was a grand success and we have received a phenomenal response for the Astro Camp. The three day astro party gave visitors a sneak peek into all the exciting activities lined up at the Astro Camp. Our mission is to promote and preserve Dark Sky locations in India, and this collaboration with the District Administration of Chamoli aligns perfectly with our goals. Through our astro-tourism initiatives and community engagement, we aim to raise awareness about light pollution and inspire a deeper appreciation for the wonders of the night sky. We are excited to contribute to the development of Benital as India’s first Astro Village and look forward to organizing many more engaging astro events in the future.”

Astro Camp Activities: Explore the Universe Like Never Before!

Get ready to embark on an unforgettable astronomical journey at the Astro Camp! Here’s a sneak peek of the exciting activities

Sun Observation: Witness the Sun like never before! Observe the Solar surface and Solar Prominence through telescopes with special H-Alpha filters. Also, catch live coverage on a TV screen for a better view.
Night Sky Wonders: Gaze at the mesmerizing beauty of celestial objects such as the Moon, planets, and Deep Sky objects through telescopes placed in the premises.
Astrophotography: Learn the art of capturing stunning pictures of the night sky from an expert astrophotographer. Unleash your inner photographer and capture the beauty of the Universe.
Other Activities: Explore the fascinating world of Astronomy with fun and interactive activities, including rocketry-making, astronomy tambola, mystery Star identification, Catch the meteors game, magnetism maze game, and constellation Viewer. Also, create a safe solar viewing box projector that can be used for eclipse viewing.