Year End Astronomy Camp at Denkanikotai
Join us for the holiday astronomy camp this year and witness multiple celestial objects through telescopes, while learning everything you need to know to get started in observational astronomy!
Date & Time
25 December 2022 at 3:00 pm – 26 December 2022 at 10:00 am
Location
Rocky Ridge Cafe
Survey No. 74/3, Anna Nagar, Thadikal, Taluk, Denkanikottai, Tamil Nadu 635107, India
**Please note that 23 Dec is a moonless night and is more suited for deep space observations, astrophotography (star trails, time lapses etc.) Mars, Jupiter and Saturn are visible on all nights listed below however moon will only be visible from 25th Dec onwards**
Schedule
3.00 PM: Arrival/Relax and enjoy the farm and take in the views.
3.15 PM: Solar Astronomy with special Hydrogen Alpha Telescope, Watch Solar activity that isn't possible to see with the naked eyes
4.00 PM: Interaction with Astronomer, understand how the sun works, our origin story and learn how to get started as a visual astronomer!
5.30 PM: Setting up tents followed by Tea and Snacks.
6.30PM: Stargazing session 2 - Explore Saturn, its rings and its moons, Jupiter and its moons, Mars, dense star clusters, star forming nebulae, double stars and lunar craters and mountains with powerful telescopes. Introduction to the night sky. Learn to identify some constellations, names of some bright stars. Also, watch artificial satellites and meteors with your naked eyes. (Moon will be visible from 25 Dec onwards)
8.30PM-9.30PM: Campfire and Dinner.
9.30 PM-4.30 AM: Go to sleep, or NOT! If you choose to stay awake, we show you some more deep space objects. You can also use your phone and DSLR with tripods to photograph the night sky, with our guidance.
4.30 AM: Stargazing with telescopes resume. See the morning constellations, meteors, artificial satellites and learn how the sky changes with time.
6.30 AM: Tea and biscuits, followed by a tractor ride to a picturesque lake and a short trek on a nearby hilltop. Suitable for kids and those with no trekking experience. Shoes are needed.
830 AM: Elaborate breakfast and leave
About the venue
Rocky Ridge, Denkanikottai
- -About 80 km from Bangalore
- -RiSa Astronomy Observatory with high quality equipment
- -Tent stay on an organic farm, cottages at extra cost
- -Campfire and outdoor dining
- -Entry by prior registration only, no walk-ins
What to expect
- -Frequented by kids and families. A safe and enjoyable event for all age groups.
- -The farm is close to a forest, so you must follow the instructions given by the farm.
- -Water, washrooms and parking are available.
- -Food is pre-ordered. On-demand food and other items may not always be available.
- -Lunch is not included. If you want lunch at the farm, call the café beforehand to make sure it is available, and pay the farm directly.
- -Shops are a few minutes' drive away, but they stock basic village essentials only.
- -Only Jio works at 4G speeds at the farm. Airtel works for a few minutes on the trek route only. A Jio hotspot is available on request for light use.
About your stay
- -Tents are standard Coleman or Decathlon camping tents.
- -They will look very tiny if this is your first time camping. We have used tents like these for over a decade, and thousands of families have camped with us.
- -Your tent is exclusive to your family or group. A tent takes 2 or 3 adults, and larger groups get more than one tent.
- -Washrooms are exclusive to your family or group when you register for 2 or more people. If you come alone, the washroom is shared and an exclusive tent depends on availability.
- -Cottages are available at extra cost for 2 or more paying participants, subject to availability. They take 2 to 6 adults on cots and have a ceiling fan, clean sheets, a geyser and an attached washroom. They are not air-conditioned, so please do not expect luxury accommodation.
What's included
- -Buffet dinner and buffet breakfast, plus evening tea and snack
- -Vegetarian and non-vegetarian food
- -Sleeping bags and sleeping mats
- -Astronomy theory session and viewing through the telescope
- -A hike to a nearby hill for the sunset view
Getting there
- -We do not provide transport. You have to reach on your own. There is plenty of parking for cars and tempos.
- -By bus, it takes 3 buses and about 3 hours:
- -Bus 1: KR Market or Silk Board (start of the Electronic City flyover) to Hosur.
- -Bus 2: Hosur to Denkanikottai.
- -Bus 3: Denkanikottai towards Panchapalli dam. Get down at the Dhadigal stop. This bus passes in front of our gate, and the stop is about 200 metres away.
- -Buses run every hour, and the same route works for the return.
- -By taxi: no taxi is available at the farm, so ask the driver who drops you to take you back the next day. Yellow board vehicles also pay an interstate tax at the check post for entering Tamil Nadu.