Royal College Astronomical Society

Royal College Astronomical Society is a student society of Royal College, Colombo that engages in the study of astronomy.

History

The Royal College Astronomical Society was formed in 1967 during the turner principle B.G. Premaratne. It was a time of a space age where every house hold talked about. Interests in astronomy arose when RCAS received a 4 inch reflector from the optician Mr. Eric Rajapakse who was a keen amateur astronomer and a council member of the Ceylon Astronomical Association (CAA). The telescope was kept prominently in vice Principal Mr S. E. Dias's office and was used on many occasions to observe the night sky.

Due to organizing many programs and the popularity gained among the students, school authorities donated a room for the society which named as “The Astro Conference Room”. Later on an Astronomy Library was added to the room with the donation from The Asia foundation and The American center.

Programs

Since its beginning RCAS has organized events covering all the major events happened so far including, First Moon Landing, transit of Mercury on 9th May 1970 and 2003, Halley’s Comet observation 1986, Comet Wilson 1987, Comet Hale-Bopp, Mars closest approach, transit of Venus were among few highlighted sky events covered by RCAS

In 2001 RCAS played huge role in the exhibition organized by the planetarium “Planet 2001”

RCAS was also involved with media many ways. Radio show called "Operation Space", “Tharulowa” and a Radio quiz program called “Space for Teens” was among few. One of the shows was aired live from RCAS workshop in 2001. It was also featured in an entertainment program called “Mix Bag”.

Perhaps the only prize for astronomy in the country, H. L. Reed prize for Astronomy was awarded on results of a special exam held by Prof. V. K. Samaranayaka back in the day. And it’ll continue to conduct with the guidance of a professional astronomer Prof. Kavan Ratnatunga who happens to be one of the past presidents of RCAS in 1969.

RCAS has been conducting quite a few annual programs. Each year for last couple of years RCAS took the courage and responsibility of taking the grades 6, 7, 8, and 9, for planetarium visits. And managed to organize at least two night camps for RCAS members annually where the participation was always over the limit and needed to cut down on the participation which clearly showed the influence RCAS made on students to have an interest in astronomy. And also annual workshop is organized under a one theme each year. This workshop was attended by many RCAS members and invited schools. Since RCAS has a very good connection with various astronomy related international organizations, it receives gifts, donations of astronomy material and these materials were shared with all other school during the annual workshop.

Each year since 2003, the newly appointed committee was involved in a program called “Committee Training Program” which gave a proper training on handling the society, leadership skills and general knowledge in astronomy which was conducted by a past RCAS member at Astronomy & Space Study Center, “SUBODHI” Institute, Piliyandala. Later on this program, CTP was conducted among few other keen committees in other schools.

At least once a year competitions are held among RCAS members such as sci-fi short story, quizzes, poster and projects. One of the main highlights of the RCAS programs was the weekly lectures and activities conducted for RCAS members since 2001.

Membership and the RCAS structure

RCAS was started with a small number of students and by 1986/7 it reached about 100+ memberships. And currently it has more than 500 members.

Since the beginning till 2001/2 RCAS consisted of President, Secretary, Treasurer, Assistants and a committee of ten. In 2003, due to the large number of membership, general committee was increased up to fifteen and selected from upper school students (A/L) and a new junior committee of ten initiated from the students of middle school.

Since RCAS started making links between various other international astronomical organizations, it occurred that the RCAS body should expand. As a result in 2005 new two posts were initiated which were held by past members of RCAS, a Coordinator and an Instructor. Coordinator was selected from the former RCAS president/committee who has a keen interest in astronomy as well as the society. Coordinator’s duties are to link RCAS between local and international organizations/people. And the Instructor was selected from the former RCAS president/committee who must be a university student with a keen interest in astronomy as well as the society. Instructor’s duties are to advise and guide RCAS in all matters.

As the first Instructor for RCAS Mr. Ranga Prabashwara was served and Mr. Thilina Heenatigala served as the first Coordinator in 2005/6. In 2006/7 Mr. Lasith Prasanna serves as the Coordinator while Mr. Thilina Heenatigala serves as the Instructor.

Involvement with other organizations

From the beginning a good relationship with Sri Lanka Astronomical Association(SLAA) and Young Astronomer’s Association (YAA) was kept.

RCAS member’s participation in programs held by Sri Lanka Astronomical Association, Astronomy & Space Study Center, Colombo Planetarium, Arthur C. Clarke Center, and other school astronomy societies has always been very high.

In fact some of the above mentioned associations are run by former RCAS members from time to time and majority of posts held by our past members.

Future

Since its establishment in 1967, RCAS inspired many students to follow astronomy as a career or to make it hobby or even just to enjoy the beauty of the Universe. RCAS has given birth-to many professional in various fields including world renowned professional astronomers such as Prof. Kavan Ratnatunga and Prof. Ray Jayawardhana who have contributed to astronomy community by discovering Gravitational lensing and Exo-planet respectively.

ee also

*Royal College, Colombo