Bosscha Observatory to hold two-day seminar

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.