Visit to an Astronomical Centre

On 11th April 2012, the talent pool’s classmates travelled by coach to the Ho Koon Nature Education Cum Astronomical Centre situated on a mountain in Tsuen Wan for a visit.  With the building in white and pink, the centre looked like a school.

After we entered into the building, a gentleman took us to a huge room on the lower ground floor.  We sat on cylindrical chairs around hexagonal tables.  Hexagon is my favorite shape.  When we were settled, the teacher started to introduce the Sun and planets of the Solar System.  He also showed us some amazing videos about spaceships.  I was amazed to learn that there is ice under the earth of Mars.

Next, the gentleman took us to the roof floor.  There were tools that helped us watch the Sun safely, including three telescopes with solar film attached, a sundial and a solar projector.  He also lent each of us a piece of solar film.  We saw sunspots and solar flares through the telescopes.  After that, we went into a room on the roof level where a giant telescope was put.  Beside it were two screens which showed the stars right outside the Earth.  A student was chosen to click the Sirius on the screen and   after three clicks on the ‘Enter’ key, the telescope moved.

Then, we went inside a big semicircular air tent in a room.  Inside it was dark and the projector projected a 360-degree version of constellation animation on the tent’s ceiling.  At last, we went back to the huge room where we started.  The teacher gave each of us a box of astronomical telescope with a mini tabletop tripod as a gift.  The telescope allows a 90-degree viewing angle!  That is cool!  Finally, we said goodbye to the gentleman and left.  What a wonderful day!