SAASST Organizes Workshop on Photometry of Stellar Clusters

FAJAR
Duhur
Asr
Maghrib
Isha

°C,

Sharjah24: Stemming from the keenness of the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences, and Technology (SAASST) of the University of Sharjah (UOS) to spread astronomical knowledge, the Sharjah Optical Observatory (SOO) of SAASST organized a three days specialized workshop on Photometry of Stellar Clusters and HR Diagrams, with the aim of providing students, astronomy and astrophysics enthusiasts with the essential skills, knowledge needed to perform photometry and better understand the infamous Hertzsprung-Russell (HR) diagram and its application to star clusters, training them to use the highest quality telescopes at SOO. The workshop included theoretical lectures and hands-on sessions delivered by national and international experts, researchers and students.

During the plenary talks, Prof. Mashhoor Al-Wardat, Professor of Astrophysics, UoS, introduced SOO and the scientific research published as well as delivered a presentation on how to do Synthetic Photometry from SED’s. Prof. Syed Najamul Hasan, Professor of Astrophysics, Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU), addressed Photometry, the BANZAI Pipeline and discussed dynamics of star clusters and simulations. Whereas Dr. Priya Hasan, Assistant Professor of Astrophysics, MANUU, introduced the Las Cumbres Observatory (LCO), highlighted stellar clusters, as well as discussed CCD Photometry along with Mr. Mohammed Talafha, Astronomical Observer at SOO.

In addition, Dr. Antonios Manousakis, Assistant Professor of Astrophysics, UOS, discussed preparations of astronomical observations. Eng. Razan S. Alkaabi, a Master student in M.Sc. in Astronomy and Space Sciences delivered a presentation on “Stellar Clusters”. Dr. Randa Asad, Associate Professor of Astrophysics, American University of Sharjah (AUS), compared results from CMDs to results from integrated spectra of star clusters, while Mr. Ammar Eissa, Research Assistant, SAASST, talked about the stars formation and highlighted the evolution in and off Hertzsprung-Russell (HR) diagram.

The workshop also included in-person astronomical observations, including stellar photometry, photometry of stellar clusters and photometry of exoplanets, where participants used advanced telescopes at SOO and had a virtual opportunity to make astronomical observations from state-of-the-art robotic telescopes of LCO. At the end of the workshop, the speakers and organizers were honored by Prof. Nouar Tabet, Dean of College of Sciences, UOS, for their contribution to the success of the workshop.