As the Founder of the Astronomical Society for Training, Research and Outreach (ASTRO) and a National Coordinator of Astronomers Without Borders (AWB), I am happy to share the report regarding the Public Outreach Event on the eve of the Total Lunar Eclipse in September 2025.
The Astronomical Society for Training, Research, and Outreach (ASTRO), in collaboration with Astronomers Without Borders, successfully organised a public outreach program during the Total Lunar Eclipse on September 7, 2025, at the Amphitheatre Area of Hyderabad Central University. The event was held with Jana Vignana Vedika and the Campus Biodiversity Club. It invited students, faculty, and the general public to witness and understand the rare celestial phenomenon of a total lunar eclipse through guided sky-watching sessions and expert talks.
More than four hundred participants attended the sessions and observed the eclipse!
I thank the Jana Vignana Vedika and Campus Biodiversity Club of Hyderabad Central University for the cooperation and support. I personally thank my colleagues Vinay Kumar and Bhanu Prakash for contributing to the sessions!
Program Highlights
- The ASTRO outreach event featured telescope observations, interactive discussions, and educational sessions designed to demystify the eclipse and foster a scientific mindset.
- Jana Vignana Vedika addressed common superstitions and promoted a rational scientific understanding of eclipses, aligning with its mission of public science education.
- The Campus Biodiversity Club facilitated a large-scale participation, highlighting the integration of astronomical and environmental awareness at the university level.
- The organisers provided food during the eclipse to debunk eclipse myths.
Eclipse Event Details
The total lunar eclipse was visible in Hyderabad on September 7, 2025. The totality occurred between 11:01 PM and 12:23 AM on September 8, offering attendees 82 minutes of spectacular views.
The event drew a diverse audience, offering opportunities for both experienced astronomers and newcomers to learn, observe, and engage with the cosmos.
This collaborative outreach initiative demonstrated ASTRO’s commitment to making astronomy accessible and inspiring public enthusiasm for science through direct experiences with natural wonders like the total lunar eclipse.