AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE

When I heard of the HELIODYSSEY contest, through the astronomy club of my school run by S.P.A.C.E., I was very much eager to participate in it. 'A trip to turkey to view the total solar eclipse! Wow!' That was my response. I registered for the contest and gave the draft to the teacher in charge of the astronomy club as soon as possible. On the day of the test, I went to the cyber café to ensure that there was no disturbance in the connectivity. At last came the date for the results. When I saw my name in the winning list, I jumped with joy and happiness. I had done it. I still cherish that moment.
Then came the day of going to turkey. I was very much excited. Most of the people going were unknown to each other. So, with new friends we took the flight and began our journey. We reached Istanbul (capital), and went to the hotel. We enjoyed there very much. After staying a day there we departed for Antalya, the total solar eclipse sight. We stayed in an excellent five star resort, named Blue Waters. We visited a lot of great monuments in Antalya.
Then came the day of the eclipse. All of us were given activities we had to do before and during the eclipse. I and some other participants were assigned to measure the temperature drop due to the eclipse. We were provided with solar glasses for viewing the partial eclipse. Once the moon fully covered the sun, we removed our glasses. It was a three-minute total solar eclipse. It was magnificent. It was such a beautiful sight. The sky at the horizon went purple. We also saw the planet, Mercury. The sun was looking extraordinary. I can never forget that sight. We also carried out our experiments in between. According to us it was a six-degree fall. We were told later that our experiment's results exactly matched with that of NASA.
We returned to India with lovely memories and great experiences. I will be very much looking forward to another event like this.

Shailesh Ahuja,
Participant of the Expedition
(Ryan International School, Trans Yamuna, Delhi)

Heliodyssey-2006 The way I saw it!!!

Well, as I sit down to pen my experience of heliodyssey-2006; a constant emotion which reverberates through my mind is that of pure exhilaration coupled with enormous nostalgia. The first time I heard that some people are conducting an event which will take the curious but at the same time amateur (and boy did we learn stuffs!!!) astronomers from India to Turkey to watch the most beautiful of sights, I thought that someone was playing a joke.
But, as it turned out to be, I was on the plane to Turkey a month later. When we got ourselves at ease over there, then began the serious preparation. I still remember the whole group sitting on the picturesque beach in Antalya trying to get in sync with the finer aspects of astronomy, those night practice classes which we had in the amphitheatre and above all the fun which we had as group. 29th March, the day when I saw for the first time, the ‘Total Solar Eclipse’, I couldn’t more than appreciate what one of my friends over there exclaimed “There are two types of people on this earth—one who have seen the solar eclipse and other who haven’t” and I am simply thrilled to be in the first category. The sight was captivating; it seemed as if the whole of the universe was trying to get a glimpse of this extraordinary event, everything came to a standstill. The moment I saw the diamond ring, I felt as if I was inebriated, by the shear enormity of the event.
The ring till date remains the best of the natural phenomenon I have laid my eyes on.
The feeling of parting away with my friends on the way back home seemed to be the more dominant of the emotions. The fun we had in the hotel’s disco and the late night strolls which we had still weighed heavily in my mind.
The best part about heliodyssey-2006 in general and the trip in particular was its resonance with the inherent definition of beauty and the nature’s way of redefining it every time we feel that we have reached the conclusion. I also learned the most important lesson of life; i.e. beauty and class are absolute and there is no point in compromising with the second best when you have nature on your side.

Siraj Singh

I get to know about this exam through the newspapers and applied for it straightaway. Through the exam wasn’t too difficult, it came as a pleasant surprise when I saw the result going in my favor. A trip to Turkey – to see a color eclipse – would prove and has proven to be a once in a lifetime experience. This will be a great experience for me as it will be a first hand experience of one of nature’s great wonders. The solar eclipse The heliodyssey is quite an apt name for this journey for it will be path or ground breaking in encouraging the youth and general public to venture into astronomy and related sciences.

Shashank Shekhar
Participant of the Expedition

Heliodyssey 2006 has given me this unique opportunity to participate4 in such an event. I could very well remember the day when the advertisement came out in the newspaper about this space quiz. I read it like just another advertisement and thought that I am not that lucky that my name will figure in the top 25 list. But there was my brother nakul who, after reading the add, had decided in this mind to be among the top 25 and he only forced me to do the same. Unfortunately, he was not selected but because of him I am here packing my bags for this turkey expedition. I must say I am really lucky, to be able to see this beautiful occurrence live in the sky. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Aarushi Verma
Participant of the Expedition

At first sight of the advertisement I decided to not to let this chance go by fully convinced by the authenticity of the organization my family got me registered at once. Exceted as I was I sat on my pc but despair spreads the server broke down, we got some more twice to prepare. 3 days later I remembered god hard enough to prove myself his best disciple & approved in the exam. When I ended I was blissfully happy. The result was surprising, amongst the winners I read a name very familiar, my own. Unfortunately on all these wants my family was away yet informing them on phone was a delight. We rushed to the passport office & I filled up the fastest form & submitted it under tatkaal scheme. All nights since then I have been anxious. Being related to heliodyssey & space was nothing less then an honour.
  
Amit Chowdhary
Participant of the Expedition

As soon as I saw the advertisement in the newspaper, of heliodyssey, I immediately logged into the net and applied for the exam. I was indeed enthusiastic to be associated with the space organization and to be able to witness a total solar eclipse which is very rare. This will give me a platform to learn more about space and astronomy and will prove to be an experience of a life time.

Dakshina Vaidyana Than
Participant of the Expedition

It is the life-time experience for me. I am very excited about the trip and the knowledge I’ll be gaining from the trip. It is a remarkable and valuable event to happen in one’s lifetime. It is a honour to be part of such a prestigious team. With enthusiasm, spirit and excitement…” let the journey begin”.

Zoya
Participant of the Expedition

My heliodyssey experience started with a newspaper advertisement indicating an online test for the solar eclipse in Turkey. After all the preparation I have given the test. I was very much hopeful for the result. I was happy to see my name in the winners list. The heliodyssey team was very helpful after my selection for the trip. They have kept me informed about the trip from time to time, they have got the paper work completed. They have placed various information’s on the website from time to time about the country and the trip. The team members were very friendly while talking on the telephone.

Amit kumar Chouhan
Participant of the Expedition

Heliodyssey 2006 was infact a fitting tribute to the learning of science through nature. Nature provided us the opportunity to see the total solar eclipse and heliodyssey team gave us the tools to achieve the same. It was first ever outreach programme in india involving people in age group 11-70 years and dispelling superstitions about eclipses and making them aware of the science behind it. SPACE did a wonderful job of amalgamation of the science with day to day life of a layman.

Chander Bhushan Devgun
President
(S.P.A.C.E.)

I cannot forget total solar eclipse we viewed in Turkey, apart from the amazing experiments that we did there (having not much knowledge of practical science), it was a heavenly experience, it is not possible otherwise, on any other location of earth to feel summer & winter in a few seconds.

Shalini Bahmba
Director
(G.E.S.P.L.)