I'm posting this late, as I was busy with other stuff. This happened in late January of this year. It was the first Star Party ever arranged in the city - With the aim of bringing all astronomy enthusiasts together, from all ages and backgrounds. So what we ended up with was a melting pot of scientists, engineers, astronomers as well, (professional as well as amateur). Plus children and students from all over. Including people from completely unrelated professions too, like doctors and bankers. Here they they now launched a club, where anybody could join, with no fee of any kind. Basic idea was to popularize astronomy, in a place where everybody could contribute and share. And so this wouldn't become something like a club for just the elite, they deliberately said no fee of any kind, as they want the maximum number of people. So there were a lot of school going children, and collage students too. I think I recognized a few retired individuals from SUPARCO too, Pakistan's Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission, (Pakistan's NASA) - Who looked very happy, but obviously they were trying to keep a low profile, (didn't want to be recognized). So I let them be, their broad smiles actually told me all that I wanted to know... The evening stared with talks from the organizers and a few experts in the field of astronomy. Who entertained everyone, specially the youngsters. Talks ranged from how to get started in this as a hobby, to the possibility of finding life elsewhere in the cosmos. Including in our own solar system, like on Jupiter's icy moon Europa. Where it's speculated that there could be a liquid ocean (larger than all the oceans on Earth) full of life - Who really knows? We'll just have to go there one day to know for sure. Or send a probe. The possibility of meteorites starting life on Earth was also discussed in a lot of detail. There were other astronomy societies there too. As well as local manufacturers of astronomical telescopes. Finally after snacks were distributed, everyone was invited to go up on the rooftop of egete this Star Party was held. And look at the universe with their own eyes. Where many members had set up their own telescopes. Young school going children were thrilled! My pictures aren't so great, as I was shooting in nearly total dark - Flash wasn't allowed, as it takes 15 minutes for the eyes to adjust to darkness, so any strong light would have reset everyone's eyes. And of course, this wouldn't be Pakistan if there wasn't a barbeque on the rooftop... I'll be attending the next Star Party also. So whenever that will be, I'll post about it here!
