A Report on the Observation of the Transit of Venus 2012 at Manipur University

Professor Kangujam Yugindro Singh *

Enthusiastic sky gazers listening to explanation by one of the experts before witnessing transit of Venus at MU
Pix - Hueiyen Lanpao

On June 6, 2012, the Department of Physics, Manipur University, Imphal, Manipur (India) under the coordinator ship of Professor K. Yugindro Singh, Coordinator, UGC’s Special Assistance Program provided the opportunity of witnessing the extremely rare event of the Transit of Venus across the face of the Sun to thousands of enthusiastic people from all walks of life.

The live show of the transit was arranged at the terrace of the Library building of the university using a 12 inches Meade LX200GPS telescope fitted with Coronado SolarMax II 90 mm Hydrogen alpha filter.

Adequate arrangements were made to watch the transit from sunrise to 10.20 AM of the day. However, bad weather and cloudy sky play spoilsports and they had to begin the show from around 6.45 AM.

The sky was not crystal clear at the beginning of the show which in turn failed to give clear viewing of the transit. But the sky became clearer at around 8.30 am giving the viewers a clear view of the transit. Live image of the transit was also projected onto a screen to give an easier and closer view to the viewers.

Photographs and video recordings were also taken with the help of a DSLR camera fitted to the telescope. Thousands of people thronged at the observing site for having a glimpse of the extremely rare event of the century.

Professor H. Nandakumar Sarma, the Vice-Chancellor of the University and Professor S. Dorendrajit Singh, Head of the Department of Physics graced the function. To carry out the Observation Program, Professor K. Yugindro Singh was assisted by his students namely, Dr. I. Ablu Meitei (Asst. Professor, Pettigrew College, Ukhrul), Samanada Khangembam, H. Shanjit Singh, Ng. Isworchandra, Mr. Ajit Singh, Ms Reenabati, Mr. Dhiren and Mr. Shushil.

The whole program was widely covered by print and electronic media.

A news report of the function may be seen by double clicking the link: http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=17..070612.jun12

Some photo snaps of function may seen by double clicking the link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJiTr4D3kLg

A video record of the observed transit of Venus may be watched by double clicking the link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=MztHnUIKZmM

Prior to the Venus transit, the Department also under the coordinator ship of Professor K. Yugindro Singh organized a live show of the beauty of the amazing night sky, using one 12 inches Meade LX200GPS telescope and one 4 inches Celestron Nexstar telescope.

More than one thousand enthusiasts including students, elders and womenfolk from surrounding area turned up for taking part in the live show and most of them were astonished on gazing the detailed surface of the Moon and the beauty of the Saturn rings.

Some photo snaps of the Sky Watch Program may seen by double clicking the link:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJiTr4D3kLg and selecting the second video.

See an announcement on this event here