Astronomy Retreats – Hwa Chong Astronomy

Why?

Because Singapore’s skies are so bad, HCAstro commonly takes Astronomy Retreats into the wilderness to escape the horrendous light pollution as caused by the city lights. As they put it commonly, it is a trip for you and your binoculars or telescope.

What is Light Pollution

Light pollution is basically artificial light affecting your view of the night sky. There are four parts of light pollution:

Urban Sky Glow: the bright sky over built-up areas.
Light Trespass: light getting into your eyes when you are stargazing.
Glare: Very Bright sources affecting your dark vision.
Clutter: Very varied sources of light pollution causing the above three effects.

For most of Man’s history, we are able to see the spectacular night sky from anywhere in the world. Without the view of the stars, geographical navigation could not proceed and develop. But today, with an increasing population and the invention of the electric light, a bright night sky has removed most of the navigational stars save for the brightest. To solve this problem, most urban dwellers must travel far from home, away from light pollution, to see the Milky Way as it is before.

Light Pollution in HCI

There are quite a number of good spots near Singapore for such Astronomical Retreats and there are multiple organizers for such trips.

2017 Astronomy Retreat in Bintan

The NYP-IPS Astronomy Retreat is an annual retreat organized by the Institute of Physics Singapore with the logic of never repeating any location that they have been to. It is for friends of astronomy from all walks of life.

The Retreat will also feature both workshops and talks by distinguished professors and amateur astronomers. The material is aimed at students and interested members of the public, and will offer a well-balanced mix of science, nature, and personal sharing.

Stargazing Action during Astronomy Retreat 2017

Astrobash is another Retreat held annually by the National University of Singapore Astronomical Society (NUSAS). Their rates are normally cheaper than the NYP-IPS version but contains no lectures or daytime activities. (Instead, shopping trips may be organized.) HCAstro may in the future organize retreats on our own so stay tuned!!

The Milky Way 2017, taken at Bintan during the retreat

If you are a HCI student and are interested in joining us in retreats, please contact us.

NYP-IPS past Astronomy Retreats Records:

2014

Location: Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

Leader of Delegation: ?

Deputy Leader of Delegation and Quatermaster: ?

Senior Advisor: Joel Tan

2015

Location: Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

Leader of Delegation: ?

Deputy Leader of Delegation and Quatermaster: ?

Senior Advisor: Clarence Tan Kang Lek

2016

Location: Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

Leader of Delegation: ?

Deputy Leader of Delegation and Quatermaster: ?

Senior Advisor: See Mingjie

2017

Location: Kijang, Bintan Regency, Indonesia

Leader of Delegation: Tham Kai Wen

Acting Deputy Leader of Delegation and Acting Quatermaster: Claudia Liauw

Senior Advisor: Nicholas Phung-Zhang