Pune’s Skywatchers Anticipate Lunar Occultation Showcased by JVP at Metro Station
Pune, 3rd February 2024: Sky enthusiasts are in for a treat as a rare celestial spectacle unfolds on Monday when the moon will pass in front of the star Antares, creating a lunar occultation at 4.46 am in the southeastern sky.
Jyotirvidya Parisanstha, Pune (JVP), one of the oldest amateur astronomy associations, has secured the Pune Metro’s Civil Court station premises to showcase this unique event. The lunar occultation will be visible between 4.30 am and 6.30 am. In collaboration with Pune Metro, JVP has organized telescopes and a live screening of the event, marking the first celestial activity at the metro station.
Officials noted that the Civil Court metro station in Shivajinagar provides an unobstructed view of the sky, making it an ideal location for the event. The association approached Pune Metro to host the celestial occurrence.
Aniruddha Deshpande, Vice-president of JVP, explained, “Previously, we conducted these events at Balgandharva bridge or other bridges in Pune. However, these locations now have nets to deter citizens from discarding waste into the river. These nets create obstacles when we set up telescopes on the bridges’ footpaths. Thus, we decided to change venues, and the metro station seems to be a perfect choice with no obstructions for sky observation.”
Don’t miss this celestial show, as Pune Metro and JVP join hands to provide a clear and unobstructed view of the lunar occultation at the Civil Court station, promising a memorable experience for sky gazers in the city.
