AUSMAT Students Delight in Celestial Views Across Two Memorable Nights at Sunway College

Throughout this year, Australian Matriculation (AUSMAT) students at Sunway College once again gathered for hands-on moon viewing events, taking place across two sessions on January 26th and July 23rd, from 7.00 to 8.30 pm. Both evenings followed engaging in-class presentations that sparked renewed interest in astronomy among students. Participants attended dedicated briefing sessions to register and prepare for the observing sessions.

The first viewing session on January 26th was led by Mr. Alex Chan, while the second session on July 23rd was facilitated by Dr. Tan Kwee Yong and Dr. Rusi. Clear skies on both dates offered unobstructed views of the lunar surface. Under the guidance of the instructors, students actively participated in assembling and calibrating the telescope—mounting components, adjusting optical alignments, and mastering the process of fine-tuning the setup for optimal viewing.

Dr. Tan Kwee Yong briefing the students on lunar surface detail

Using the Stellarium app, students mapped out the position of the moon and explored surrounding celestial features through augmented reality. As twilight faded, key lunar features— including prominent craters, dark maria, and elevation details—appeared in sharp relief through the eyepiece.

Calibrating the focal length to obtain a clear image

Students also attached their smartphones to the eyepiece using specialized adapters to capture clear close-up photos of the moon, taking home unique digital keepsakes from the experience.

A detailed capture of the lunar surface taken through the telescope eyepiece

At 8.30 pm, participants assisted in safely disassembling and packing away the equipment. The two sessions offered AUSMAT students continuous opportunities to bridge classroom theory with practical observation, reinforcing their curiosity and appreciation for practical astronomy.

Mr. Alex Chan with participating students on January 26th

Dr. Tan Kwee Yong with participating students on July 23rd