Under the vast skies of Rawalpindi, residents are engaging in cosmic and astronomical exploration through a community-led initiative by the Rawalpindi Astronomy Society (RAS). Headed by Yasir Ali Awan, RAS has been organizing monthly astronomy activities for the past three years, selecting dates near weekends and within ten days before the full moon.
Yasir Ali Awan, an amateur astronomer, shared that the main goal of these activities is to inspire children and the general public with a passion for astronomy and science. He aims to make information about the cosmos easily accessible, a vision that led him to create the Rawalpindi Astronomy Society. The group is active on Facebook, where Awan also participates in other space science activities.
Awan noted that while countries with a strong focus on astronomy have government-supported observatories and societies, in Pakistan, such initiatives often arise from the public. The RAS is committed to creating awareness and sharing knowledge with young students, potentially nurturing future science leaders.
These monthly activities are free of charge and are announced two days before the event on Facebook and other social media platforms. Despite the low turnout of 30-40 participants per session, the RAS continues to offer hands-on experiences in moon sighting, planet observation, and exploring nebulae and constellations.
Awan explained that they observe celestial bodies like the Moon, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Venus during different times, providing a unique opportunity for children to witness these wonders firsthand. The RAS occasionally moves to locations outside urban areas to avoid light pollution, but they remain committed to holding activities within cities to accommodate families and children.
In addition to these events, Awan spreads knowledge through his YouTube channel, “Ali Space Astro,” where he explains astronomy concepts in simple Urdu, helping viewers differentiate between stars, planets, galaxies, black holes, and other space science topics.
