Galileo Astronomical Society
of Pokhara (GASPO-Nepal)
What is GASPO ?
Galileo Astronomical Society of Pokhara (GASPO) is a social initiative of Amateur Astronomers of Nepal to help increase astronomical knowledge and awareness of School Students and community people
Vision
Knowledge of the Universe can change life on Earth
Mission
1- Making a difference towards social development in Nepal through increased astronomical knowledge and research
2- Take Astronomical Science to the door steps of the poor
Guiding Principles:
1. Providing access to scientific information and knowledge can empower the poor and disadvantaged community
2. Development and Science should go together.
Objectives
· Increase awareness and knowledge of school students and community people in Nepal on Stars, planets, galaxies and other heavenly objects
· Documentation and publication of impact of increased astronomical knowledge to influence government policies on Education and social development
· Explore possibilities towards establishing Planetariums and Observatories with support from national and international agencies and stakeholders.
· Collaborate with other stakeholders engaged in exploring the outer space locally and internationally through sharing of information
Strategy:
1. Implement activities in close collaboration with Ministry of Science and Technology, RONAST, District Education office, School teachers, parents, and the Media
2. Develop Science Teachers as Resource Persons on Astronomy
3. Advocate with Government to include astronomy in school and college curriculum, and to provide amateur telescopes to secondary schools
4. Increase the interest of young people towards star watching
5. Identify people interested in Astronomy and help them to organize and observe stars and planets.
Activities of GASPO
1- Organize Star Watching Activities for School Students and Community people with the help of telescope
2- Help school students and community people to compare Eastern traditional knowledge on Astronomy (the so called Jyotish-Shastra) with Modern Scientific Astronomical knowledge, and find the truth
3- Documentation of learning and impact of star observation activities and their wide dissemination to general public through Media
4- Identify other star watcher Groups in Nepal, South Asia or elsewhere and develop collaborative relationships
5- Identify potential donors who can assist establishing Observatories or planetariums in Nepal
6- Fund raising to conduct activities (from GASPO members, community people, local businessmen or donors)
7- Train potential star observers on astronomy.
8- Organise workshops/ training on relevant issues as needed
9- Establish Astronomical Resource Centre in Pokhara
Contact Address:
Kedar P Badu, President
Prem Marg 8/53, Simalchaur
Kaski District,
POKHARA - 8
NEPAL
Tel: 00 977 1 4 359583 (Kedar)
Tel: 00 977 61 5 24235 (Dharma)
E-mail: kedarbadu@yahoo.com
(GASPO Nepal)
1- Nawa Prabhat Secondary School, Nayabazaar
2- Barahi Higher Secondary School, Parsyang