Akashmitra Mandal, Kalyan

Akashmitra (ākāśamitra) Mandal is an amateur astronomers’ Organization. Name of our organisation is in Marathi Langauge and this signifies, “Friends of Sky”. Our objective is to popularize astronomy. Also, motivate students and enthusiasts, so that they can make useful contributions in the field of astronomical research.  also aim to carry the systematic study of astronomy.

Our motto on the top and name placed below. The image shows an observer under the dome to the starry night sky. In his observations, the horizon is also important. So the sky, the horizon, the lone observer is keen to know more about astronomy.

ज्ञानम् सम्यगवेक्षणम्

Our mission is stated in the Sanskrit Language jñānam samyagavekṣaṇam signifies, Keen observations is the path to knowledge. In the field of astronomy, observations have prime importance. The more you observe, the more you can understand. The more you observe, the more you will analyze.

We are pursuing our interests since 1986.

How it started?

In 1986, Akashmitra Mandal was formed to set a stage for the 1^st Amateur’s meet. This meet was held at Kalyan with scope of Maharashtra State level and was attended by some 125 delegates. Renowned astrophysicist Dr Jayant Narlikar, Dr Shashikant Chitre were amongst the dignitaries present to the meet.
We at Akashmitra Mandal, are on the path of popularizing astronomy and in our journey, our Directory of Amateure’s, our students are in the field of research at prestigious institutes is a proud achievement for us. (View Gallery)

Working Committee

• Mone, Hemant President
• Awalaskar, Abhijeet Vice President
• Puranik, Abhay Secretary
• Deshmukh, Shishir Treasurer

Our Inspirition – Late Gokhale, Prabhakar

Hall of Fame

• Dr Kamble, Atish Member of Team captured ^1st image of Black Hole
• Dr Karandikar, Yogesh Scientist, Member of SKA radio telescope
• Dr Kokje, Amit Senior Specialist (GeoSpatial Platform & Support) at Auckland Council
• Deshmukh, Shishir India’s 1^st SOHO comet Finder
• Kate, Amol Science Communicator

आकाशमित्र विषयी प्रश्नमंजुषा

1 / 13

In which year Akashmitra Mandal was established ?

1986

1987

1988

1990

First ever amature astrnomers’ meet was held on 9th Nov. 1986 by some amateur astronomers in Kalyan. For that purpose one banner was required. This is how AM was established.

2 / 13

Who coined the name Akash Mitra?

Hemant Mone

(Late) Prabhakar Gokhale

Prabhakar Soman

Prof. C. G. Chavare

Just like पक्षीमित्रसंमेलन, the founder members of AM decided to arrange हौशी  खगोलअभ्यासक संमेलन. 

So name Akash-Mitra.

3 / 13

आकाशमित्र  मंडळाच्या लोगोमधील संस्कृतसुभाषित “ज्ञानंसम्यगवेक्षणं” चा अर्थ काय आहे?

उत्तम निरीक्षणच ज्ञान देते

निरीक्षण आणि उत्तमज्ञान एकच

निरीक्षण आणि ज्ञान आकाशदर्शनाला आवश्यक असते

उत्तम ज्ञान संपादन करणे

4 / 13

Since which year, AM is participating in the GMRT Exhibition ?

2003

2004

2005

2006

Since 2004, every year till date, Gokhale sir plays a pivotal role in this amazing activity.

Hats off to Gokhale sir, Nilesh Sure and Manoj sir combination for making very informative models and regular participation in this annual activity.

The entire compilation is a unique feature of AM library.  Several AMs visited many libraries in Mumbai to compile this extraordinary collection.

5 / 13

What is the span of Astronomy articles published in Scientific American magazine are compiled in AM library

1991 – 2000

1981 – 2000

1975 – 2000

1951 – 2000

In 1995, 1999 and 2009 TSE at Kalpi, Bachhau and Jabalpur respectively. And  in 2010, 2019 ASE at Dhanushkodi and Kannur.

In all trip arrangements Gokhale sir played a Vital role

6 / 13

How many trips AM has arranged for eclipses?

3

4

5

6

7 / 13

In which year, AM published the “Directory of Persons Associated with Astronomy”

1995

1997

1998

1999

8 / 13

In which one of the following international journals, a paper of six AMs was published?

Journal of AAVSO

Journal of Occultation Astronomy

Minor Planet Bulletin

Journal of Double Stars Observers

Using AM’s 8-inch reflecting telescope and a DSLR camera a team of AM ….Ameya, Ganesh, Gauri, Sayali, Rujuta and Shishir measured position angle and separation of sixty double stars in the southern hemisphere using four different methods.  The paper was published in Vol.15, No.1 of Journal of Double Star Observations (JDSO) in Jan.2019

9 / 13

मोने सरांनी मुरबाड आणि परिसरात केलेल्या प्रोजेक्टचे नाव काय होते?

मुरबाडचे ग्रामीणआकाश

ग्रामीण मुरबाड आकाशनिरीक्षण छंदवर्ग

सूर नभांगणाचे

आकाशाचे पुस्तक वाचू या

मुरबाड  आणि आसपासच्या खेडेगावांमध्ये 2000 विद्यार्थ्यांनी ह्याचा लाभ घेतला. आणि त्यांना आकाशाचे पुस्तक वाचता येऊ लागले. 

अजून पूरक माहिती सरांनी इथे द्यावी अशी त्यांनाच विनंती.

10 / 13

What was the name of newsletter (related to Astronomy) circulated by AM amongst Schools?

आकाश मित्र परिपत्रक

आकाश मित्र वार्तापत्रक

खगोलशास्त्रीय वार्तापत्र

खगोलशास्त्रीय वर्तमान

This activity was entire conducted by Sunil Vidwans. From 2007 to 2014. More than 1100 students from different schools were receiving it from July to Feb. It was further continued by Rahul Vora for 1 year.

Inspiration was from नभांगण पत्रिका run by Mone sir for 31 yrs (1982 to 2013)

11 / 13

In which year Mone sir was guide for the team representing India at Astronomy Olympiad held in Russia?

2008

2009

2010

2011

India got 2 Gold medals and 1 Silver medal in that Olympiad.

12 / 13

From which one of the following professional organizations did AM’s Shishir Deshmukh receive ‘New Discovery Award’ in 2011?

Confederation of Indian Amateurs' Association (CIAA)

Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA)

Astronomical Society of India (ASI)

Inter University Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA)

Upon discovery of a Sungrazing comet using data from SOHO, Shishir became the first person in India to discover comet using SOHO data. Astronomical Society of India (ASI) had announced ‘New Discovery Award’ to any person in India who makes a discovery and thereby contributes to Indian scientific output.

Award to Shishir was recommended by Dr.Dipankar Bhattacharya.

13 / 13

Which was other institute in joint venture with Akashmitra in launching Free online, Basic Astronomy Course?

Marathi Vidnyan Parishad

IUCAA

TIFR

MKCL

This course was entirely designed by Mone sir

Your score is

The average score is 42%

0%

Restart quiz