The Mango astronomy calendar launched by Obuli Chandran highlights astronomical events like eclipses and meteor showers and has 12 astronomy images. , Photo Credit: Shiv Saravanan S
Stunning meteor showers, full moons and eclipses will light up the entire sky this year. While there are usually 12 full moons every year, this year there will be 13 full moons, two of which will be in August. According to NASA, the second full moon visible on August 31 is also called The Blue Moon, similar to the phrase ‘Once in a Blue Moon’.
Science and maths teacher Obuli Chandran, who has launched Mango Calendar 2023 based on astronomy, says, “It’s time to look up and watch the sky.” Important astronomical events like eclipses, planetary conjunctions and meteor showers are highlighted with their brief descriptions. For example, a hybrid solar eclipse occurs on April 20. This is a total solar eclipse, in that some parts of the world will see it as a total solar eclipse, while in other parts it will be seen as an annular solar eclipse.
As for meteor showers, the Lyrids meteor shower that shoots out about 20 meteors per hour at its peak may be visible in the evening sky on April 22 and 23.
On May 5, a penumbral lunar eclipse can be observed – when the Moon passes through the penumbra, or faint, outer part of Earth’s shadow. Meanwhile, October 28 will see a partial lunar eclipse, where only a portion of the Moon passes through the darkest shadow or umbra.
making science fun
Obuli, who is also the founder of Mango Education, which aims to make science and maths fun for students, says the calendar aims to get people, especially children, excited about astronomy. “When you mention ‘black holes,’ everyone is amazed. Using black holes as examples, we entice them to understand complex science like gravity, force, and light. We teach geometry and also use examples to teach trigonometry.”
Mango Education has a complete curriculum in Astronomy and Astrophysics for students from Grades 3 to 9, which they offer on tie-ups with private schools in the city. “We teach the subject as an extra-curricular activity, taking students on star-gazing trips to Mudumalai and Ladakh.”
Obuli Chandran | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
They reach out to government school students through several outreach programs as a part of the ‘Nalaya Vignani’ initiative as well as the Regional Science Center in Coimbatore developed by the National Council of Science Museums in active collaboration with the Tamil Nadu Science and Technology Centre. (TNSTC).
“We have mapped the science exhibits at the Regional Science Center according to the curriculum of the students.”
He also proudly talks about Mango Science Radio, a WhatsApp initiative launched during COVID-19.
“We had 7,000 customers from across the country. We have posted short clips on fascinating stories related to science. For example, did you know that Neptune is the only planet found using mathematical calculations?”
While there are usually 12 full moons every year, this year there will be 13 full moons, two of which will be in August. Photo credit: Siva Saravanan
The calendar includes 12 astro images including deep-sky objects, star clusters, nebulae, and eclipses shot by Obuli over the years. “We want to bring a sense of wonder and make people look toward the universe,” he says.
To know more call 9952243541 or visit https://themango.co/ Calendar2023
Priced at ₹599 (₹499 till January 10), the calendar can be shipped across India.