What we saw on October 21 could be Halley’s Comet.
“No, this is the Orionids meteor shower, the remnants or traces left behind by Halley’s Comet.”
Some say they saw UFOs coming in groups.
“This is the Starlink satellite. Elon Musk Yes”
Oh, what is that bright light that flashes in the sky between four and five in the morning?
“It’s normal. We can see the satellite in the early evening and dawn. This is because the solar panels are tilted to reflect sunlight. We call this ‘iridium flare.’
If so, then people who say they have had UFO contact with aliens – “this is called superstition.”
These things can be explained by science. This is what Jack Subarc Crehannon Director, Center for Academic Services and Astronomical Communications The National Institute for Astronomical Research (Public Organization) always believes in and makes efforts to establish observing bases in different regions, starting from Nakhon Ratchasima Province. (Lower Isan), Chachoengsao Province (Central Region), and Songkhla Province (Southern Region), headquartered in Chiang Mai Province.
It seemed that the three regional observatories did not cover the entire country, so he built the “Khon Kaen Observatory in honor of the seventh anniversary of the birth of His Majesty the King.” Another one came. It is the fourth regional observatory in Thailand that was recently opened for public service on November 1, 2023.
The purpose of the observatory is to create awareness and inspiration. The target audience is all citizens, children, teenagers, adults, senior citizens and disabled people. This place is happy and ready to provide knowledge of astronomy through stargazing activities that will become an unforgettable visual experience.
Double constellation
All four observatories have constellations as their symbols.
If you’re wondering what to choose from, the answer is to choose from the most visible constellations in that observatory.
The observatory in honor of the seventh anniversary of the birth of His Majesty the King, Nakhon Ratchasima, is the Bat Constellation.
The 7th anniversary of the birth of the Chaloim Phrakiat Observatory, Chachoengsao, is the constellation Ursa Major.
An observatory honoring the seventh anniversary of the birth of His Majesty the King, Songkhla is the constellation of Scorpio.
The observatory celebrating the seventh anniversary of the birth of His Majesty the King, Khon Kaen is a constellation of the twins.
Jack explains some of the tricks in choosing this constellation as a symbol, one of which is that the Khon Kaen Observatory is quite far from the city. So the surrounding area is completely dark. It has the best view of the sky suitable for observing a planetary meteor shower out of all the observatories.Secondly, in the northeast or north-eastern region, there are two observatories, Nakhon Ratchasima and Khon Kaen, located side by side. Therefore, it is the origin of the Gemini constellation.
Starlight
Khon Kaen Observatory is divided into main service areas as follows: Exhibition Building Planetarium Building, Observatory Building, Activity Area, and Camping Area Each point is designed to accommodate the elderly and people with disabilities.
We asked Jack to tell us about his approach to designing the place, and he stressed that it relies on science and not decorating it to express the meaning in a superficial way. Jack walks you through the steps, starting with placing the observatory in the ideal location, free of distracting lights. Then place it at a 45 degree angle.
“Because of the astronomical observation equipment, each of the successive telescopes has an axis pointing toward the north pole of the sky, positioned at a 45-degree angle, which keeps the telescopes clear of dark objects. Another thing is that the location of the stargazing field must be visible to the north. To observe the movement of the sky as it rises in the east.” It is located in the west and Jack explained that you can see the stars orbiting around the north pole of the sky.
There was one point we couldn’t think of. In an area with minimal light interference What type of light is suitable for housing or use in an observatory? This is what Jack will tell you in a simple and understandable way.
Jack says the observatory doesn’t use white light. But it was changed to using yellow light from sodium lamps. The light inside the observatory area is red. He began to explain that blue, white, yellow, orange and red are the colors that bother the human eye. Ranked from highest to lowest. The less it disturbs our eyes. We can see more clearly. It’s like the red light in the film development room. Or wear glasses with yellow lenses while driving.
“Blue light is suitable for exhibition areas. We try to make people feel like they are in the space. But the area is used for surveillance. We will use red light and yellow light. Because it bothers the eyes the least.”
The stars decorate the sky
This fourth regional observatory (Jack does not consider Chiang Mai as a headquarters) will certainly be different from the previous three. Because besides the lessons learned again they are also collecting data to adapt to make the constellations accessible to everyone on Earth without compromising their experiences, such as increasing the seating capacity of the planetarium from 60 to 80. And when it comes to the planetarium, Jack ensures that
“You will see the Fulldome Digital Planetarium complete with software to display images created by Thai people.”
If you’re wondering what a digital dome is (we’re wondering too), Jack provides the basics:
The planetarium has two systems: digital and optical.
“The optical systems, just the projector cost more than 100 million baht. We have a budget to build regional observatories that cost more than 200 million baht each. If half the money is used to buy a projector, it’s a waste,” Jack said of the first reason he chose to go digital. For taxpayers’ money.”
The second reason is that the goal is wrong. According to the goal a planetarium is a simulation of the sky for people to learn. Watch astronomical phenomena and show the constellations in the sky what they really look like, if you want to see the sky as beautiful as the real thing. This clamshell-shaped observatory answers that question. Because the domed ceiling can be opened to see the sky and know which direction the telescope is pointing
The final reason is because it depends on the risk management plan.
“The problems we have learned from the past is that a planetarium is imported from abroad. If the picture tube is broken, you have to wait to import spare parts. If there are children from other provinces or remote areas who come to watch and this happens. It will waste the opportunity. We choose the appropriate things so that the children do not miss What can inspire them for life.
The digital system fixes errors within half an hour. Improve system performance at any time Jack increases the resolution from 8K to 10K for the benefit of all viewers.
Saturn’s rings
The only thing I am surprised, pleased and impressed by is the National Institute for Astronomical Research. (Public Organization) Designated by UNESCO as the first agency in the world to provide training in the field of astronomy. And transfer knowledge to create awareness and awareness of astronomy to the public and inspire the youth so that it has been accepted from all over the world This is the strongest team in the world.
“I think right now, no one is as crazy as us,” Jack concluded shortly after finishing his long list of project names.
“Establishing an observatory in Khon Kaen Province is a matter of locating in the region of each province. We want to spread the opportunity to learn astronomy in every region, North, Central, Northeast and South. Nakhon Ratchasima covers the Lower Isan region. Khon Kaen is the Upper Isan region. So you can Other surrounding counties are easily accessible.
Jack also told us that in reality, astronomy is much more than just stargazing.
The stargazing activity is just one activity. But astronomy is the work of developing technology and innovation within the country of problems in astronomy. We give an example. “Astronomy problems” as simple as the advent of digital cameras because film is not sensitive enough to take pictures of the stars. Therefore, it is a problem that leads to the charge coupled device (CCD) found in our digital cameras even today.
The observatory’s presence isn’t just about having people sit in the planetarium and see an 8K display that brings stars millions of light-years away just a few meters in front of them. But it is a door that may take those interested across the universe to a science called “astronomy” that has endless possibilities and is too vast to be discovered. Understand well by sitting with your back on the seat
At the end of the conversation, Jack relayed: Dr. Saran Pusayachinda Director of the National Institute for Astronomical Research (Public Institution) about what prompted him to build the various regional observatories.
This is what happened to Dr. Saran. In childhood, from the lens of a small telescope to the eyes, it is imprinted as a memory. Until he became inspired to want to make this a reality one day.
By saying that Before the end of sixth grade, every Thai child should see Saturn.
We are confident that our four observatories spread across Thailand will make this statement come true.
