By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora/Philippine News Agency
MANILA — Dozens were enthralled with a closer view of the moon as the European Union (EU) delegation capped its first public telescope viewing event in Manila on Monday night.
The star- and moon-gazing event “One Starry Night: Meet Eur Astronomers” was in cooperation with SM, the Philippine Astronomical Society, and the Manila Street Astronomers.
It is part of the Viva Europa 2019 cultural showcase to celebrate EU-Philippine friendship.
Jerome Riviere, the first secretary to the EU delegation in Manila, said the event was inspired by the EU’s Copernicus Earth’s observation program.
“The Copernicus program is designed to monitor the Earth 24/7 through a number of orbiting satellites to better understand our living environment and the many challenges it faces, including the effect of climate change, natural disasters and biodiversity loss, among others,” he said in a speech.
Riviere said Filipinos may get a glimpse of how the study of the night sky and the position of stars and planets have had a huge impact on humans and the history of civilization.
“The study of the night sky and the position of stars and planets date back thousands of years,” he said.
“The onsets of seasons and weather patterns are closely associated with the position of the Earth as it revolves around the Sun and their timing can be associated to the relative position of stars in the sky during the course of the calendar year,” he added.
Aside from a telescope viewing event, there was also a lecture on astronomy basics, answering the question on how big the universe is, how many stars are out there and if there is life on other planets.
Thelma Gecolea, public affairs officer of the EU delegation, said about 130 people participated in the event.
“With the success of the stargazing event, the EU Delegation is looking into holding (a) similar event early next year,” she said.
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