Overnight  Stargazing and  Camping Event  - Naneghat  

By Amateur  Astronomy Club  

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture Credit: Jagdish Patil  

The Art of Stargazing -  - - - - The night sky has always been intriguing to us, the creatures of the                          

Earth. Our curiousity for the same has led to various discoveries that                        

link both, science and religion.   

However, barely any of us have come across that jaw-dropping, dark                      

patch of sky that has left us transfixed. We, city dwellers, know                        

nothing about what our home galaxy looks like, let alone the universe.   

Humans might be physically bound to a particular planet (hopefully, not                      

for eternity...) but believe us, your imagination will know no                    

boundaries once you take a glance at the starry night sky !   

We at the AAC, would love to host you at one of our Overnight                            

Stargazing and Camping events, which are held at Naneghat.  

 

 

 

Why Naneghat ?  - - - -  Living in urban settings, we largely            

miss out on the mind-boggling views            

that the night sky has to offer,              

mainly due to the heavy levels of              

pollution that we are constantly          

exposed to.   

Naneghat, nestled in the beauty of            

the Western Ghats and situated over            

a hundred kilometres away from all            

the major cities, poses as just the              

perfect spot within the state for us to hold our overnight stargazing                        

events at. Being located far away from pollution and having                    

never-ending horizons, this place gives the participants an opportunity                  

to have a beautiful practical experience of the wonders of the night in                          

complete bliss and serenity.  

 

 Picture Credit: Qutubuddin Rampurawala  

 

 

 

Why us ?  - - - -

❖ Our proficient team at the AAC functions collectively to make such                      

events memorable as well as a knowledgeable affair for all of our                        

participants. Coming    

together from all walks of          

life, each volunteer has        

something different to offer        

to the club. Right from          

astronomy experts and      

authors to wildlife and        

astrophotographers, we have      

them all !   

 

❖ Along with a skilled team,          

the club is also        

well-equipped with a wide        

range of telescopes and        

binoculars. The latest      

addition to our arsenal is a            

12-inch Dobsonian telescope,      

one of the biggest amateur          

telescopes in Mumbai. Along        

with this new scope, our collection also boasts of an 8-inch, a                        

6-inch, a 5-inch, a couple of 3-inch telescopes and much more.    

 

 

 

 

❖ To make our events more enjoyable, we offer participants the                    

option of camping, hiking, astrophotography, herping, etc. Sitting                

by the campfire while devouring a bowl of Maggi under a starry                        

night sky - dreamy, isn't it?   

 

❖ Our events at Naneghat are          

inclusive with all the        

meals and air-conditioned      

travel arrangements back      

and forth from the cities          

of Mumbai, Thane and Pune.          

Participants also get the        

option of making their own          

way to Naneghat if they          

wish to do so.   

 

❖ While tents are available        

for renting on personal and          

sharing basis at extra        

charges, homestay is      

complimentary with the      

participation fee.   

 

P.S - We prefer to fall asleep under the stars, you're welcome to                          

join !    

 

 

 

Itinerary -  - - - -

The tentative itinerary for our Naneghat event is as follows:  

 

❖ Mumbai participants are requested to come at 9 AM sharp, near                      

Jogeshwari Railway Station (East). Thane participants are              

requested to come at 10 AM sharp, near Teen Hath Naka. Pune                        

participants are requested to come at 10:45 AM sharp, at Shivaji                      

Nagar.   

❖ Bus will depart at 9:15 AM sharp from Mumbai, 10:15 AM sharp from                          

Thane and 11 AM sharp from Pune.  

❖ Lunch (Veg) will be served en route at around 1 PM.  

❖ Reach Naneghat at 4 PM.  

❖ Sunset point & other sightseeing until 6:30 PM.  

❖ Evening tea after returning from sunset point.  

❖ At 7 PM, we shall begin with our first session - Introduction to                          

Astronomy, Telescopes & Night Sky.  

❖ Dinner break at around 9 PM.  

❖ Second session continues from 10:30 PM by exploring Constellations                  

naked eye, as well as Deep Sky Objects viewing with the help of                          

telescopes. People who have carried their DSLRs can opt for                    

Astrophotography post dinner. (Note: DSLR and tripod required)  

❖ Maggi break at 1 AM along with tea and bonfire.  

❖ Exploring newly risen Constellations, Deep Sky Objects and the                  

Milky Way until dawn.  

❖ Wake up call at 7 AM, along with breakfast.  

❖ Leaving the campsite by 8 AM & returning back to Pune by 12 noon,                            

Thane by 1 PM, and Mumbai by 2 PM.   

 

 

  

Participation Fee (per person) - - - - -

❖ Rs. 2500/- for adults, Rs. 1500/- for children (Ex- Mumbai/ Thane / Pune)  

❖ Rs. 1500/- for adults, Rs. 1000/- for children ( Ex- Naneghat)  

Inclusions -  - - - -

❖ Stargazing services including 3 informative sessions consisting of                

naked-eye and telescope observation. (duh !)  

❖ Travel by A/C bus or vehicle from Mumbai - Jogeshwari East (with                        

pick-up points at Thane, Kalyan, Shahad and Murbad) or Pune -                      

Shivaji Nagar (with a pick-up point at Nashik Phata) (For Ex-                      

Mumbai / Thane / Pune participants only).   

❖ Evening hike to sunset point.  

❖ Homestay accommodation.  

❖ All meals (Lunch - Evening tea - Dinner, followed by Maggi at                        

midnight and Breakfast the next morning).  

Exclusions -  - - - -

❖ Tent stay charges.  

❖ Travel facilities to Naneghat and lunch (For Ex- Naneghat                  

participants only).    

 

 

 

 

Where to register ?  - - - -  Register yourself (and your companions) on the online registration form                    

available on our website i.e. http://amateurastroclub.in/#events   

 

Queries? Get in touch with us -  - - - - E-mail: info@amateurastroclub.in  

Phone: +91 9867617311 / +91 8424812441