SGAC Sri Lanka

National Points of Contact
Sri Lanka

Welcome to the Sri Lankan page of SGAC

Young Space Activities Overview in Sri Lanka

There are some government organizations and non-government Astronomical Societies which have given hand to the rise of Astronomy and Space Science sector in Sri Lanka. They organize workshops, Night camps, Astronomy Quiz Competitions, Water Rocket Competitions annually as well as for special events (such as Lunar Eclipses, Solar Eclipses etc.) for the public and students (who are studying in schools and universities) to popularize Astronomy among them. In 2008 University Grants Commission in Sri Lanka made a decision to enter Astronomy and Astrophysics as a full course unit for Physical Science stream in some local universities (University of Colombo. University of Peradeniya , University of Ruhuna and Open University in Sri Lanka) . This decision helped to encourage some university students to select their higher studies subject as Astronomy and Astrophysics and do Astronomy and Space Science based researches. The government organizations, Sir Arthur C Clarke Institute for Modern Technology (ACCIMT) and Sri Lanka National Planetarium do a huge job to popularize Astronomy and space science among Sri Lankans. The Largest Optical Telescope which is GOTO 45cm Cassegrain telescope is located at ACCIMT and it provides facilities for university students (undergraduate & Post Graduate) who are interested in Astronomy to do their higher study researches in Astronomy and Space Applications. You can explore some research reports that were published by Space Application Division of ACCIMT here.

Secondary Level students are introduced astronomy and space explorations by a section related to Science and Technology. This builds a foundation in their minds of being a Astronaut or Astro-Scientist while Sri Lankan National Planetarium brings the reality of the universe to their minds. Non-government organizations are doing a huge job for the rise of Astronomy and Space Science in Sri Lanka. They include Astronomy and Space Study Centre in Sri Lanka (ASSC), Sri Lanka Astronomical Association (SLAA) and some school-based Astronomical Societies. Since 2007, Sri Lanka has been participating in International Olympiad of Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA). Sri Lanka sends a team consisting of 5 highly talented highschool & university students who receive the best results in National Astrophysics Olympiad competition (SLOAA). Our students have shown great talent in IOAA competitions and achieved some awards. Sri Lanka successfully launched its first communication Satellite (Supreme SAT) in 2012 from Xichang Launching centre at China. This was the first step of Sri Lankans to space. Getting help from China, the first Space centre in Sri Lanka is under constructing in Pallekale (near to Kandy). These projects will help young Sri Lankans to achieve great opportunities in Space Science sector. SGAC Sri Lanka hopes to bring young Sri Lankans together to grow a network of all above events to create a better future for Sri Lankans.

Country Specific Events in 2018

February – Star Party 2018 – Annual Astronomy Observation Competition-University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
June – Asteroids Searching Campaign-1st ever Sri Lankan Asteroid Searching Campaign-Island wide

Interesting Web Links for the Young Generation in Sri Lanka

Groups

Star Party
Mathematical and Astronomy Society, University of Colombo
Sri Lanka Astronomical Association (SLAA)
Astronomy and Space Study Centre (ASSC)
Astronomy and Space Science Association, University of Kelaniya

Sri Lankan Planetarium- The official website of the Sri Lankan Planetarium

Institutions

Space Applications Division , Arthur C Clark Institute of Modern Technologies
Sri Lanka National Planetarium
Institute of Physics Sri Lanka – The official website of the Physics Institute of Sri Lanka
Arthur C Clarke Institute of Modern Technologies-The official website of the Sri Lankan Research Institute of Modern Technologies

Studies

The Open University faculty of natural sciences offers astronomy as a subject in its joint major degree programme
University of Colombo offers astronomy as subject as part of a physics special degree

Astronomy Knowledge

Skylk
Astronomy News @ Astroananda