Astronomy enthusiasts crowd Cebu City public library grounds for #LookUp 2019

A participant enjoys the sight of the moon using a telescope provided by the Indiana Aerospace University  during the #LookUp event, Friday night. /Photo from IAU-Astronomical Society FB page

CEBU CITY, Philippines— Astronomy enthusiasts gathered at the Rizal Memorial Library and Museum grounds along Osmeña Boulevard in Cebu City, Friday night, April 12, for the #LookUp event that culminated the public library’s centennial anniversary celebration.

A total of 286 participants came to the free telescope viewing event organized by a group of students coming from the Indiana Aerospace University (IAU) who calls themselves as the IAU Astronomical Society, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 pm.

Jeremy Bajado, IAU-Astronomical Society president, said that he and members of their astronomy organization were delighted to see kids and young adults join their Friday night event.

The group provided five telescopes for the #LookUp event that aims “to share knowledge and inspire people about the vast universe.”

“When I was sharing ethnoastronomy to the participants, most of them were shocked when they knew that there was (already) astronomy in Cebu before the Spaniards arrived. That was one of the great experiences I had last night. Although it was not my first (time) to see such reaction (from the crowd) but until now it still touches my heart. Thats what makes the event even more interesting,” Bajado told CDN Digital.

At around noontime today, April 13, the group posted pictures of the moon seen through a telescope on their FB page with the caption “Spread the love for the universe. Thank you so much for coming! We hope to see you again on our future events!” /dcb

Astronomy enthusiasts crowded the Rizal Memorial Library ad Musuem for the #LookUp event. /Photo from the IAU-Astronomical Society FB page

A closer look of the Friday night moon. /Photo from the IAU-Astronomical Society FB page