UP NISMED Observatory

01/08/2026

Get ready for an Astronomical August! 🌟

In celebration of the Philippine Space Week this August 8-14, watch out for these astronomical events:

3 Aug (Mon) - Mercury will be at its highest altitude on the eastern horizon at around 5:00 a.m.

4 Aug (Tue) - The Moon and Saturn will be seen close to each other as they rise in the east at around 11:00 p.m.

9 Aug (Sun) - The Moon and Mars will be seen close to each other as they rise in the east at around 2:30 a.m.

16 Aug (Sun) - The Moon and Venus will be seen close to each other as they set in the west at around 8:00 p.m.

28 Aug (Fri) - The Moon will reach its full phase and will be seen as it rises in the east at around 7:00 p.m.

31 Aug (Mon) - The Moon and Saturn will be seen close to each other as they rise in the east at around 9:00 p.m.




Notes:
Images 2 to 6 are generated using Stellarium. Sky objects in these images may appear bigger than in real life.

This astrocalendar was made by our former intern Paulina Araña of Saint Pedro Poveda College.

17/07/2026

On 17 July 2026, the UP NISMED Observatory served as one of the case study sites for the research project of Mr. Andrei James Fabula of the College of Architecture, University of Santo Tomas. The project explores the role of architecture in promoting astronomical awareness and resilience in urban environments affected by light pollution. Through an interview and site visit, insights were gathered on astronomy education, public outreach, and observatory operations, highlighting how accessible astronomical facilities can support science learning and foster public appreciation of the night sky. The engagement reflects the Observatory’s continuing role as a resource for students, researchers, and institutions interested in astronomy education, science communication, and the development of astronomy learning spaces.

01/07/2026

What’s up in the sky this July?

8 July (Wed): The Moon and Saturn will be seen close to each other as they rise in the east at around 12:00 a.m.

9 July (Thu) - Venus will be at its highest altitude on the western horizon at around 6:30 p.m.

11 July (Sat): The Moon and Mars will be seen close to each other as they rise in the east at around 3:00 a.m.

17 July (Fri): The Moon and Venus will be seen close to each other as they set in the west at around 8:00 p.m.

29 July (Wed): The Moon will reach its full phase and will be seen as it rises in the east at around 7:00 p.m.




Notes:
Images 2 to 6 are generated using Stellarium. Sky objects in these images may appear bigger than in real life.

This astrocalendar was made by our former intern Jillian Andrea Lim of Saint Pedro Poveda College.

29/06/2026

6th Telescope Workshop for Educators
22 May 2026

Seventeen participants—composed of 16 teachers from five schools and one Education Program Supervisor from the Schools Division of Muntinlup...

19/06/2026

The UP Diliman Information Office (UPDIO) identified the UP NISMED Observatory as a key facility to be featured in the University of the Philippines Institutional Video Project (UP IVP), recognizing its role in reflecting the University's principles, traditions, and contributions to education and research. As part of the project, the UP Media and Public Relations Office (MPRO), in coordination with UPDIO, conducted filming activities on 28 May 2025 at the observatory to capture visual materials showcasing the institute’s facilities and contributions to science and mathematics education. The footage gathered formed part of the UP IVP’s multimedia outputs intended for information, engagement, and promotional purposes for local and international audiences. The completed institutional video was published on the official University of the Philippines page on 18 June 2026 as part of the University's 118th Foundation Anniversary celebration.

19/06/2026

The UP NISMED Stargazing Program collaborated with the UP NISMED Library in conducting a series of outreach activities that integrated storytelling and astronomy-based learning experiences for young learners. The activities were designed to support science literacy, listening skills, imagination, and self-expression through engaging learning experiences that combined reading, storytelling, and direct observation of astronomical objects.

On 27 November 2025, in celebration of Araw ng Pagbasa and Library and Information Services Month, the UP NISMED Library, together with the UP NISMED Stargazing Team and the Quezon City Public Library Pook Amorsolo Branch, conducted an outreach activity for 50 Day Care students at Barangay UP Campus. On 23 February 2026, the UP NISMED Library conducted a similar activity for 132 pupils of Diosdado P. Macapagal Elementary School. The UP NISMED Library also conducted an outreach activity on 17 December 2025 at Dagohoy Library in Barangay UP Campus in collaboration with the Quezon City Public Library Pook Amorsolo Branch, engaging approximately 30 children and community members in literacy- and science-related learning activities.

Activities conducted during these outreach programs included the storytelling of The Hidden Sun, safe solar observation using a properly equipped telescope, an eclipse demonstration, a post-story quiz, gift-giving activities, and the donation of science and mathematics books and learning materials. Participants listened to stories, observed the Sun through a telescope, and engaged in learning experiences that connected literacy and science. Through these outreach activities, the UP NISMED Library provided opportunities for children to explore basic astronomy concepts while developing interest in reading and learning.

18/06/2026

As part of their internship at UP NISMED, five (5) computer science students from UP Diliman participated in an interactive science tour that introduced them to some of the institute's educational facilities and learning activities.

The interns explored the UP NISMED Observatory, where they learned about the operation of the institute's 16-inch reflecting telescope and observed the Sun through a solar projection setup. Discussions on solar activity, magnetic fields, and observational astronomy showed how hands-on activities can support the understanding of scientific concepts.

The group also visited the Earth Science Laboratory and learned about the earthquake simulator, a low-cost programmable device designed to visualize seismic activity and its effects. During the demonstration, the simulator recreated the motion of an actual earthquake using recorded seismic data. The activity sparked conversations on disaster preparedness, public education, and how emerging technologies may further enhance science learning.

To conclude the tour, the interns participated in a hot-air balloon experiment using simple and readily available materials. The activity demonstrated how heated air rises and illustrated fundamental concepts in atmospheric science, highlighting the value of hands-on investigations in science education.

Reflecting on the experience, the interns recognized the important role of interactive learning, experimentation, and innovation in making science more accessible and meaningful. They also saw opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly in applying computer science to support and enhance educational tools and systems.

18/06/2026

"No matter how busy life gets, the universe always finds a way to slow you down. This is a beautiful twilight view of the moon, Jupiter, and Venus in conjunction, overlooking the coastline of Mulanay, Quezon --- a perfect scene to end the day."

Shot taken at a local resto-cafe viewing deck in Mulanay at 6:53 PM [17 June 2026] using a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra; cropped to highlight the moon-planet conjunction.

Photo and caption by Jed Africa.

17/06/2026

Conjunction of Venus, the Moon, Jupiter, and Mercury (hiding behind the clouds)
📍 UP Diliman, Quezon City
🕗 17 June 2026, 7:06 pm

11/06/2026

On 10 June 2026, the UP NISMED High School Earth Science Group welcomed 25 participants composed of student youth, members of the Valenzuela City League of Astronomy Enthusiasts (V-CLUE), and their event partners as part of Project TALA (Teaching Astronomy to Local Audience).

The participants explored the three major components of Earth and Space Science—astronomy, meteorology, and geology—through a series of hands-on learning activities.

As part of the astronomy component, participants attended a Telescope Workshop where they learned about the basic parts and functions of a telescope, including the tripod, equatorial mount, optical tube assembly, focuser, and finderscope. They also distinguished between reflector and refractor telescopes and gained experience in their assembly and operation.

For meteorology, participants learned how breezes, monsoons, and the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) form due to the rising of warm air. These concepts were reinforced through a hot air balloon activity that demonstrated the behavior of heated air.

The geology component featured demonstrations on seiche using a low-cost programmable earthquake simulator co-developed by UP NISMED and the UP Resilience Institute in 2024, highlighting how earthquakes can generate oscillations in enclosed bodies of water.

The visit concluded with a tour of the UP NISMED Observatory, where participants learned about the operation of the 40-cm UP NISMED Telescope and conducted solar observations by tracing sunspots through the solar projection method, emphasizing safe solar observing practices.

This activity forms part of the UP NISMED Stargazing Program's astronomy education initiatives, which provide observatory visitors with opportunities to experience scientific equipment and facilities not normally accessible to the public. Through these experiences, participants gain a deeper appreciation of astronomy and the role of scientific instruments in understanding our world and the universe.

Through activities such as these, UP NISMED continues to promote astronomy, Earth science, disaster awareness, and STEM literacy among Filipino youth.