University of the Philippines Astronomical Society

The University of the Philippines Astronomical Society (UP ASTROSOC) is a non-profit organization devoted to the study and promotion of astronomy to the students and the general public. It is a scientific organization, and hence it is not limited to promoting astronomy but is also involved in real science such as conducting scientific observations and documenting astronomical phenomena.

The society is based at the PAGASA Astronomical Observatory inside the campus of UP Diliman. The organization was started on when a group of UP students started meeting in front of the UPPA tambayan in January 1991, and later under a mango tree at the PAGASA Astronomical Observatory in mid-February. Its first constitution was completed in July and finally gained recognition in August 1991 under the UP College of Science. It had a total of twenty-two (22) founding members. A year later, it applied for and gained recognition as a University-wide organization. It is now active in promoting astronomy within UP Diliman and outside through activities such as Astro camps and quiz shows.

Composition
On average, the organization has anywhere from 20 to 35 regular members. The organization is led by the seven member Executive Cluster consisting of the Over-All-Coordinator, the Executive Secretary and the coordinators (not 'heads' as is usually heard from its members) of the five clusters: Education and Research (Edres), Observation and Instrumentation(Obsin), External Affairs, Finance, and the Resource Cluster.

The organization was conceived under the concept of "once a member, always a member", and thus allows any member to renew his membership even after they graduate. A member who fails to renew, whether he is a graduate or not, is called an associate member. Membership in the organization is achieved by completing a one-semester training program given by Edres and Obsin and an application process facilitated by the Resource Cluster.

Activities
UP Astrosoc has many activities each year pertaining to the practice and popularization of astronomy in UP Diliman and the Philippines. UP Astrosoc holds observing sessions for astronomical events such as eclipses, meteor showers and the like. It also maintains a small astronomy library at its headquarters.

UP Astrosoc also holds lectures and seminars on astronomy for the UP studentry as well as the general public. The organization has given lectures from topics such as astronomical sketching, water rocket making, exoplanet detection, and binocular astronomy to name a few. UP Astrosoc frequently cooperate with government institutions such as the UP National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education (UP NISMED) and the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in giving out lectures and symposia regarding Astronomy and Space Science.

Aside from regular public star gazing sessions and meteor shower watches, UP Astrosoc holds an Astro Camp during National Astronomy Week (NAW). The NAW is celebrated on the week beginning on the third Sunday of February. The 2007 camp saw UP Astrosc take 50-60 disadvantaged students on a one-night tour of the night sky. For many of these students, it will be their only chance to look through a telescope. Aside from looking through a telescope, star gazing and storytelling are also integral parts of the activity.

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