Astrolabe Workshop

-Gunavathi, Jayabharathy, Poovizhi, Sanjay, Vaishnavi, Abinaya, Pravin, Praveen, Atchudhan, Saranya, Preethi R, Poonguzhali, Ilakiya , Preethi P and Vasanth

On the 7^th and 8^th of November, a wonderful Astrolabe Workshop was held at the Saiier Conference Hall for teachers around Auroville by the facilitators from Bori Mr. Sudheer Vaishampayan, Mr. Ravindra Godbole. And Mr. Satish Choudhari. To Build and use Hindu Astrolabe model. Discover India’s ancient links between science, math & culture practice. The base of the workshop is to learn ways to bring heritage-based science into modern classrooms. It was a truly enriching experience where we got to explore the fascinating world of astronomy, timekeeping using the Panchang calendar, and learn practical measurement techniques using the astrolabe.

Astronomy

In Astronomy, we learned that it is the study of the Sun, Moon, Stars, Comets, Metroid’s and the Universe. It helps us to understand how these celestial bodies move around, and bring light, rain, and seasons we experience. Through astronomy, we also explored the solar system, constellations, eclipses, and seasons. It teaches us to observe the night sky and appreciate the beauty and mystery of the cosmos. Https://tinyurl.com/BasicAworkshop

Panchang is the traditional Indian calendar used to track time, festivals, and celestial movements. It is based on the positions of the Sun and Moon and includes five main elements Tithi, Vara (weekday), Nakshatra, Yoga, and Karana.

Astronomy

Astronomy helps us find the exact positions of the Sun, Moon, planets, and stars in the sky. Astrology uses these calculated values to connect these movements in the sky with life on Earth.

Astrolabe

The astrolabe is an ancient scientific instrument used to study the movement of the Sun and stars. It helps us to find the sunrise and sunset times for any day of the year by aligning the Sun’s position on the device with the horizon line. The astrolabe also works on the principles of trigonometry, using sine and cosine to measure angles and heights.

The astrolabe can be used to find the time of day by measuring the height (altitude) of the Sun or a star above the horizon. By aligning the movable parts of the astrolabe with the position of the Sun, we can read the solar time directly from the scale.

Hands-on Activities

During the workshop, we took part in several exciting hands-on activities that helped us understand astronomy in a practical way. We learned how to find the north, south, east, and west directions by observing the Sun’s movement at different times of the day and recording our readings and to find the sun set and sun rise time of solar time to local time. Using a 3D model, we could visualize how the Earth’s rotation and the Sun’s position change throughout the day. We also did an object angle finding activity using charts to measure angles and understand the concept of altitude. Finally, we learned to find solar time and local time using an astrolabe, which made us realize how ancient scientists used the sky itself as their clock. These activities made learning both fun and meaningful, connecting theory with real-life observation.

Conclusion

Overall, it was a meaningful and amazing experience. We felt grateful for this opportunity to learn something so unique. The workshop not only deepened our knowledge but also sparked curiosity and appreciation for the ancient sciences that continue to guide us even today. Here we are truly grateful to the facilitators for guiding us with patience and enthusiasm, making the learning experience both meaningful and memorable.

Reflection

My name is Jayabharathy. I stand for care and courage for myself and for others. The astrolabe workshop was a very interesting experience for me. It made me realize that many of the universe related concepts I had considered as facts were actually not so. I became aware that there are so many changes happening in our solar system that often go unnoticed. When I decided to attend the workshop, I assumed it would be about zodiac signs and stars, as that’s what used to come to my mind whenever I heard the word astrology. But the session gave me a completely new perspective. It helped me understand the science behind the sun, moon, earth, and stars. Working with the model gave me a hands on understanding of measurements and how celestial movements can be represented. I was truly awestruck by how all this could be done. It felt like travelling back in time and seeing the world through the eyes of ancient astronomers. I discovered many things I had never known before, and even became aware of how much more there is yet to learn and notice.

My name is Poovizhi, and I stand for equality and equity for myself and others. Through this workshop, I learned many topics in astronomy and developed the ability to visualize concepts more clearly. From Godbole, I learned how to make teaching interesting and engaging, and how to continuously use feedback and observations to improve my teaching practice.The workshop also helped me to connect more deeply with my surroundings and to question things with curiosity. Initially, I thought the Astrolabe was something difficult to understand, but after using it, I realized how it works and found it much easier and fascinating.

Sanjay, Mr. Godbole is truly passionate about what he does. He really believes in it. It is always a pleasure to interact with people like that.  This time was no exception.

My name is Vaishnavi K. I stand for kindness, unity, and respect for myself and for others. During this workshop, I learned and understood many things that once made me curious during my school days. Now, I can connect what I studied earlier with what I learned here. The session by the Bhandarkar Oriental Research institute, Pune was very interesting and gave us insights into the basics of astrology. Overall, this workshop was an eye-opening experience that deepened my understanding and made learning more meaningful

My name is Pravin A. I stand for equality and compassion — both for myself and for others. I attended the Astrolabe Workshop out of curiosity and a desire to learn new things about astronomy. On the first day, we explored the fundamentals of astronomy, deeper into concepts such as location, navigation, and time. The Trainers used 3D models to clearly demonstrate and help us understand these ideas. I came across many things I never knew existed, and I also gained clarity on concepts I had previously misunderstood. We participated in interactive activities that kept us engaged and helped us stay focused on the learning process. On the second day, we were introduced to the Yantrarāja also known as the “King of Instruments.” I remember it being compared to the “smartphone” of the ancient world. The construction of this instrument amazed me and made me appreciate the remarkable skills of our ancestors. They observed natural happenings, performed precise calculations, and incorporated all that knowledge into a palm-sized device. Using the Yantrarāja, one can determine altitude, longitude, sunrise, and sunset times, and even identify zodiac signs. I consider this to be essential knowledge that everyone should learn. It highlights the incredible observational skills and pattern recognition abilities that our ancient people developed over generations.

My name is Abinaya.k,I stand for kindness and happiness for myself and others. I attended a two-day Astrolabe workshop, and it was a wonderful and eye-opening experience. Throughout the sessions, I learned many new concepts about astronomy, geography, and traditional Indian knowledge. We explored topics such as how solar and lunar eclipses occur, the Earth’s rotation and revolution, and how these relate today, night, and seasonal changes. I also learned in detail about latitude, longitude, the equator, hemispheres, and the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. It was interesting to find out the exact latitude and longitude of Puducherry and how that determines our position on Earth. We discussed celestial lines and how they help in locating stars in the night sky. The workshop also introduced us to the Indian Knowledge System (IKS), where we learned about the Panchang and how ancient people used it to understand time, direction, and planetary movement. Using the astrolabe model, I practiced measuring the altitude and position of celestial objects, which helped me connect theoretical concepts with real-life observation. I was amazed by how ancient astronomers used the astrolabe as a scientific tool for navigation, timekeeping, and star study long before modern technology existed. This experience made me realize the value of traditional scientific knowledge and how it connects science, culture, and history. Overall, the workshop was very engaging, interactive, and educational. It encouraged me to observe the sky more closely, think scientifically, and appreciate the intelligence of our ancestors. It was truly a memorable and inspiring learning experience that deepened my curiosity about astronomy and Earth science.

My name is Atchudhan, and I stand for integrity, love, and peace for myself and others. The astrolabe session offered a comprehensive journey through the world of the astrolabe—its history, working principles, and practical applications. By exploring both traditional knowledge (Indian Almanac) and hands-on celestial measurements, we connected ancient scientific tools with modern learning. Using the astrolabe encouraged curiosity, observation, and critical thinking, helping us understand how early astronomers interpreted the sky.I was able to apply theoretical concepts to real measurements, gaining confidence in reading the sky and understanding celestial movements. This blend of theory and practice helped transform abstract astronomical ideas into tangible, experiential learning.

Saranya,The astrolabe workshop was a meaningful experience for me. It helped me understand how ancient people observed and measured the movement of the Sun and stars. We used an astrolabe model to explore how it works and how it was used to find the position of stars, determine time, and study the relationship between the Earth and the Sun.I learned that the Earth spins in a full circle every day, which is divided into 360 degrees, helping us measure time and movement in the sky. I also discovered that latitude affects what we can see people near the equator can see almost all the stars during the year, while those near the poles see different ones. Another interesting concept I learned was Zero Shadow Day, which happens when the Sun is exactly overhead and objects cast no shadow. In India, this occurs only twice a year and lasts for a short time.Overall, the workshop helped me see how science, mathematics, and history are beautifully connected through simple yet powerful tools like the astrolabe.

 My name is Preethi , i stand for courage and happiness. The astrolabe workshop was a very interesting and hands on learning experience. I learnt many things that I had never imagined before especially how ancient people used science and observation to measure the movements of the Sun, Moon, and stars. It was fascinating to see how they could predict solar and lunar eclipses with such simple yet accurate instruments. I also learnt how to measure the time of sunrise and sunset using the astrolabe kit, which helped me understand the connection between astronomy and daily life. The hands-on activity made the learning more engaging and meaningful. I really liked the way Mr. Godbole explained the concepts clearly and connected ancient techniques to modern science. This workshop helped me appreciate the intelligence and creativity of early astronomers and inspired me to explore more about space and celestial movements.

My name is Gunavathi,i stand for happiness for myself and others. The Basic Astronomy Workshop was a truly inspiring experience for me. I learned how to use the astrolabe to find solar time, and how to identify directions by observing the Sun’s movement. Understanding concepts like latitude, longitude, revolution, and Panchang helped me see how astronomy connects science, culture, and daily life. Activities and modeling made learning hands-on and enjoyable. I felt amazed to discover how ancient people used their observations of the sky to measure time and understand the universe. I am truly grateful to the facilitators for guiding us with patience and enthusiasm, making the learning experience both meaningful and memorable.

My name is Poonguzhali, and I stand for courage for myself and others. I attended the Astrolabe workshop, where I learned about the Earth, Moon, and Sun, and how their revolutions are closely connected to the measurement of time. It was fascinating to see how ancient people used simple observations of the sky to calculate days, months, and years with such precision. I realized how deeply our lives are connected to these natural cycles and how much wisdom ancient civilizations possessed. The interactive explanations and discussions in the workshop helped me understand these concepts more clearly. Overall, it was a wonderful learning experience and a great opportunity provided by SAIIER.

Vasanth:

I already knew the concepts of seasons and eclipses, and I have taught them to children through animation videos. I thought it would be difficult to build physical models for these concepts, but they had all the models ready. It was amazing. The demonstrations made learning very visual and helped me understand the concepts more deeply.

They had put a lot of time into creating the models, and I wondered how they managed to build them so well. I enjoyed exploring the astrolabe and connecting mathematics with hands-on model building. I want to build the astrolabe with children and create a project around it. I will carry this knowledge forward and continue using it in my work.

Ilakiya:

I got to learn and think to myself about how the movements in the universe are happening.
I understand how to follow the movements with simple activities. It helped me to connect and think with others’minds also.
I had a very interesting experience

Preethi:

My name is Preethi. I stand for courage and kindness for myself and others. In the Astrolabe workshop, I learned how study the position of the stars and planets, tell time, and even find directions. It was amazing to see how much knowledge they had without modern instruments. Building and using the astrolabe helped me understand how math, angles, and measurements are used in real life. I enjoyed the hands-on experience of making the astrolabe and using it to observe the sky. It helped me see how science and creativity come together beautifully. I also understood how learning through doing makes concepts clearer and more meaningful. The session made me appreciate the patience and intelligence of early astronomers and how they used observation and logic to explore the universe. I also learned the importance of curiosity, how asking questions about the world can lead to wonderful discoveries.
This workshop inspired me to look at the night sky with more interest and to explore how science connects with history, art, and daily life. It reminded me that learning can be fun, meaningful, and full of wonder when we are open to exploring new things.