Tonight will be special for all astro-lovers as one of the rarest event is going to take place in the sky. Today all the nine planets and a few other solar bodies can easily be seen in one night and especially its more important for Delhiites as Nehru Planetarium, the Amateur Astronomers Association, Delhi, and Science Popularisation Association of Communiators and Educators (S.P.A.C.E), are organising a Solar System Marathon for Delhiites. The Solar System Marathon is a summer workshop to observe the Solar System bodies visible on night of the 2nd of June. Various telescopes and observing aids will be collected on the Teen Murti Lawns. The observing sessions will be interspersed with multimedia presentations, activities, competitions and interactions. There have been recent excitements in Solar System explorations which will be discussed. The workshop is also about appreciating telescopes and equipments.

Following will be the highlights of this show:

1. Vesta, Dwarf Planet, is brightest in 18 years, since 1989. It is one of the rare times when it reaches enough brightness that it can be see with the naked eyes.

2. Elusive Mercury is at maximum distance from the Sun (maximum elongation) on 2nd June and is visible for a long time in the evening. It’s the best time to catch this fast moving messenger of Gods. Venus is very close to being at maximum elongation and will also be visible for a long time in the evening sky.

3. Jupiter will be the largest and brightest for this year on the 5th of June.

There will be a nominal registration fee for the overnight workshop. Interested people can register at the Nehru Planetarium as early as possible so that some initial material for appreciating the Marathon better, will be made available to them. Contact Mr M.K. Jain, 23014504, 23012994, or visit the planetarium at Teen Murti Bhavan, New Delhi (Monday closed). Participants are encouraged to join the discussion group on the internet where all queries are answered before and after the marathon at Yahoo Groups. If you have read this much then you would do well by clicking at this link as well.

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