Astronomy

Astronomy is one of the oldest sciences where common people gain a lot of interest. It is also one of the few scientific disciplines where amateurs can still make significant contributions because it taps the very basic technique of science called observation to learn about Astronomy. Realizing this very pro in astronomy, Manthan has worked on developing several kits on astronomy and related subjects for different target audiences. Such hands-on kits on astronomy do not only deal with observational part but also makes the user understand the science behind astronomy.

Astronomy Learning Kit
Manthan has worked on developing several activity packages on Astronomy for students and community. Manthan has worked on the following aspects of astronomy like: Sky observation, making tools for observation, understanding the scales and distances, understanding the formation of the universe, galaxies, solar system and planets, understanding the science behind astronomy, inventions in astronomy, etc.

The kit was designed and developed in such a way that the activities were easy to understand, self explanatory, hands-on, fun to learn, more visual and easy to post. Several such hands-on activity packages were developed during different years and mainly in 3 main languages English, Hindi and Gujarati and were used across the country in large scales.

Hands-on Solar Eclipse Kit

India has been fortunate to witness several solar eclipses since past few years. Manthan has been involved in solar eclipse popularization in a mass scale across the country. Manthan has been fortunate to see the change in the people’s mind about viewing solar eclipse. In India there are several superstitions and misconceptions related to solar eclipse and that keeps the people away from viewing solar eclipse.

Several hands-on kits on solar eclipse were developed during each solar eclipse event which is focused to explain science behind solar eclipse, removing the superstitions, observation of solar eclipse, do’s and don’ts during solar eclipse and how is solar eclipse useful for astronomical researches. These activities were in an activity format, fun learning and question raising.

Transit of Venus Kit
Transits of Venus are among the rarest of predictable astronomical phenomena and currently occur in a pattern that repeats every 243 years, with pairs of transits in a gap of eight years. The first of a pair of transits of Venus in the beginning of the 21st century took place on 8 June 2004 and the next will be on 5-6 June 2012. To signify this ‘once in life time’ celestial phenomenon, Manthan had designed and co-produced kits on Venus transit during 2004 to highlight the importance of such a celestial occurrence.

Transit of Venus was a Special Kit containing of: a chart showing world visibility of Venus transit with prime time of celestial occurrences mentioned in it, activities explaining how transit of Venus takes place, simple model of Venus transit, a flip book showing an animated transit of Venus, safe solar viewers along with other methods of observing this celestial occurrences. The activities were such that the user can just cut and fold the paper activities and use the material for understanding.

Now, Manthan is strategically planning a similar large scale outreach project on Transit of Venus, June 5-6th, 2012 not only in India but across few countries of the world.

Projects supported by: NCSTC and Vigyan Prasar, Government of India