Dedicated amateur astronomers here share their passion for night sky objects with others
Magdalen Ng, Straits Times 15 Nov 09;
People living near the Bukit Timah home of 50-year-old Albert Lim must wonder about the raise-the-roof antics that happen there.
The roof of his four-storey semidetached house sometimes slides open and a robot moves around.
They need not fret. It is just his telescope, which rises up for a better view of the night sky.
He is one of Singapore's small group of amateur astronomers.
They are a dedicated bunch, but he is especially so - not only does he have a computerised telescope, but his home was also customised for it before he moved in two years ago.
The sliding roof took nearly a year to install because the positioning had to be precise or the telescope would be unable to track stars automatically. It cost him 'a few hundred thousand dollars'.
The father of two started to build his own telescopes as a teenager after being enthralled when he saw a meteor, or 'falling star'.
'I was amazed and constantly wondering how that could happen,' says Mr Lim, who owns Astro Scientific Centre, a company that sells astronomical instruments.
He is also president of The Astronomical Society Of Singapore, which was set up in 1992 to promote an interest in astronomy. This is the study of objects such as stars, planets and meteors.
Each Friday, the society collaborates with the Science Centre Singapore in Jurong to conduct free stargazing sessions for the public and its members will be present.
Mr Albert Ho, a project manager, says: 'It's a great opportunity to share our knowledge and experience and to introduce the hobby of amateur astronomy to others.'
The 51-year-old adds: 'What attracts me to astronomy is the beauty, peace and quiet of the night, especially when you are out by yourself looking up at the stars.
'It's just you and the universe and the secrets it has to offer.'
His friend, teacher Kalaimani Retnasamy, agrees that the weekly sessions are fun.
'We amateur astronomers always have many topics to share, talk and argue about,' says the 53-year-old.
The society's efforts in promoting astronomy as a hobby seem to have paid off.
The weekly stargazing sessions at the Science Centre attract about 50 people each time.
McGill Commercial House, a trading company that specialises in equipment such as camera lenses, telescopes and binoculars, has seen a significant increase in the number of astronomy hobbyists over the past few years. Sales manager Jim Sim says its customers include students, professionals and retirees.
However, not many are as passionate as these society members.
'I have known many astronomy amateurs who started out very enthusiastically, but disappear from the scene after a couple of years,' says Mr Ho.
Certainly, not many are as enthusiastic about astronomy as Mr Lim, who even wanted to name his 22-year-old daughter Andromeda after a constellation, much to the horror of his wife, Siew Ping. They called her Hui Ting instead.
'I always tell my daughter that she should thank me for saving her,' she says.
Seeing stars
Straits Times 15 Nov 09;
Shooting stars - the Leonid meteor showers - are expected to be visible in Singapore skies from midnight on Tuesday to 5am on Wednesday.
The Science Centre Singapore and The Astronomical Society of Singapore are organising various activities at the Japanese Garden in Jurong for the event. Call 6425-2541.
For stargazing, choose a spot that:
# Is reasonably shielded from the glare of street lights
# Offers an unobstructed view of the sky
# Allows you to look away from the city area; the lights there make it difficult to see stars
Some places to go to include East Coast Park, West Coast Park, Sime Road Cemetery, Sarimbum Campsite, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and the various reservoirs.
However, the best spot is on the offshore landfill of Pulau Semakau, where it is dark and you can actually see the Milky Way.
The Astronomical Society of Singapore organises regular trips to Semakau Island. For more information, visit www.tasos.org.sg
