Bosscha Observatory to hold two-day seminar

Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung, West Java

Dozens of Indonesian astronomers are attending a two-day seminar at the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) in the West Java capital of Bandung.

The seminar, which started on Wednesday, is titled "Astronomers' Contributions to Indonesia in the 21th Century."

Moedji Raharto, the director of the ITB's Bosscha Observatory in Bandung, said on Wednesday that the seminar was being held in conjunction with the Bosscha's 80th Anniversary, which fell on Jan. 1 this year. "The seminar is aimed at providing an opportunity for astronomers nationwide to share their latest scientific findings with each other," Moedji told The Jakarta Post.

The seminar also provided a venue for senior astronomers to transfer their knowledge to their juniors, he said.

He hoped that the seminar would heighten public interest in astronomy. Attracting new entrants to the astronomy field was badly needed as there were only 40 astronomers nationwide.

They were now working in the Bosscha Observatory, the National Space Research Institute (LAPAN), and universities, he said.

"Additional astronomers are needed so that there will be more people sharing their knowledge with the public about what is going on in space," he said.

Moedji complained that the government paid little attention to astronomy despite its importance.

Astronomy was needed to determine when exactly the holy month of Ramadhan would start, for example, he said.

"Our operating costs per month are Rp 20 million, but the government only gives us Rp 100 million per year," he said, adding that the Bosscha Observatory had to rely on donors to cover its expenses.

Meanwhile, he said that the 80th Anniversary of the observatory would be marked by another seminar and also gatherings at the observatory in this coming Saturday and Sunday.