Stargazing for kids

A mobile planetarium is now giving primary schoolchildren something rather different to ogle at as Cyprus joins in with celebrations marking the 2009 Worldwide Year of Astronomy.

A year long occasion, it coincides with the 400th anniversary of the first recorded astronomical observations with a telescope by Galileo and the publication of Johannes Kepler’s Astronomia Nova in the 17th century.

The Worldwide Year of Astronomy was declared by the 62nd General Assembly of the United Nations and has been laid out as a global scheme by the International Astronomical Union.

Now taking the magic of the universe into local schools, the special blow up planetarium has been giving students island-wide the chance to come to terms with the fascinating world of outer space in the comfort of the familiar. Giving a permit by the Ministry of Education and Culture, the so called Vega Planetarium has been brought to Cyprus by the namesake shop situated in old Nicosia. An American construction, it can fit around 30 to 40 students within its main body.

“The same planetarium was actually touring schools about four years ago and kids got so excited about it that we thought it was time to bring it back,” explains coordinator of the current programme, Maria Stephadorou.

Presentations by trained individuals last for approximately 45 minutes and touch on the subject of Greek mythology, specific constellations, the galaxy and the solar system. With the help of a projector, students can stare up at the starry sky as they are taken on a faraway journey.

Although most presentations have so far been undertaken in Greek, Stephadorou emphasises that there are no limits with talks in English definitely plausible.

The aim of the programme is to introduce children to an original and fun way to get to grips with ideas and concepts that go beyond your average text book syllabus. Each student that takes part in the occasion is given a “Young Astronaut Diploma” for memories sake.

“We are almost full with trips to schools all over the island until the end of the year but there are still a few dates left for those interested,” says Stephadorou. Schools that are keen on taking part in the programme this year are encouraged to call up on 96-402325 to schedule arrangements for a planetarium visit.

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.