In this Page:-
Introduction
1999... A year of success!
JAS As One of It's Kind
An Eye on The Future
Sky & Telescope Magazine has published in its Jan 2000 issue an article about JAS written by Mr. Mohammad Odeh, one of JAS' finest members. As Sky & Telescope is considered to be one of the most spread magazines in the astronomical society, this is considered to be a big accomplishment in the history of JAS. Dr. Maurice Sweiss, the president of a well-known American company that produces astronomical instruments has read the article and admired the efforts that JAS is making. As a Jordanian, born and raised in Fuhais, Jordan, Dr. Sweiss has donated some needed instruments at the amount of $32,000 with the shipment fees. We highly admire the generous grant of Dr. Sweiss, and we urge the other Jordanians and Arabs abroad to do the same, as that contributes to the well being of the scientific enhansment in our society. JAS' members and friends would like to seize the opportunity to thank Dr. Sweiss deeply.
To tell the truth, we only allowed ourselves to dream about the list of instruments that Dr. Sweis has given us. Baring in mind that the budget of JAS is no more than 1,000 JDs per year. Half of this money is a set budget from the Ministry of Culture, the other is another generous grant from Abdel Hamid Shouman. We highly appreciate this small amount of money, as it allows us to keep a minimal activity rate, such as transportation to distant schools, the mail requirements, and the subscription to Astronomical magazines that are important to us. To be fair, sometimes we get some donations from various companies and individuals. As important these donations are, we cannot depend on them for a well designed activities.
Despite of our humble budget, we're achieving big projects and activities. Colleague societies and institution are countinousely praising on our stubborn enthusiasm. Each year we arrange tens of lectures, observing nights, camps, and we also keep a weekly program of astronomy-related lectures. JAS has arranged three major Arab conferences in 1992, 1997, and 1998. Over 60 scholars and researchers from over 16 countries have participated in them, including France, USA, and Italy. A first of its kind astronomical magazine in the Arab world, with a consolatory committee from the finest scientists in the Arab world in this field was created. The first issue is already out. But we had to stop for cutting the financial support for it.
JAS keeps fine relations with various firms, individuals, scientific establishments; some of it is even agreements. Such as the ties with the Syrian Cosmic Society, Mousel University (Iraq), and Babel University (Iraq).
As for the international field, JAS has scored very high with institutions and organizations of the international astronomical society. And it's enough to remind you of the article in Sky & Telescope to prove it. Also, a large article of JAS has appeared in the famous German magazine, Sterne und weltraum in Jan 1998. Meanwhile, the AMS, the American Meteor Society (est. 1911) has asked JAS to be a one of it's affiliated societies. Also we became members of the IMO (The International Meteor Organization), The Royal Canadian Astronomical Society, the International Occultation Timing Association (IOTA), and The Space Guard UK. Here I find myself obliged to mention ICOP, The Islamic Crescents' Observation Project. Which is a project that monitors the beginnings of the Islamic months in various countries. ICOP -so far- has over 102 members from all over the world, many of them are famous Arab and international scientists and scholars in the crescent observation related fields. The members of ICOP main responsibility relies in trying to observe the crescent in the beginning of each Hejric month, and send a report to our society, which publish it on the the internet. Ever since 1995, JAS has started organizing the annual Islamic conference entitled "Astronomy Applications in the Islamic Canon" In cooperation with the Islamic Ministry, Al Al-Bait University, and The Arabic Union for Astronomy & Space Science AUASS. And it's usually in the last week before the holy month of Ramadan.
Since September 1998, we organized ten astronomical camps in Hamzah camp in Al-Azraq, which belongs to JAS since early 1998.
In April 29th 1999, we organized under the generous patronage his Excellency, the minister of Education, The Second Astronomical Clubs Festival, which became 20 this year. The students of the clubs were really creative in their exhibitions that they made all through the year, and finally showed in the yards of The Orthodox Schools where the festival was held.
In July 29th 1999, we organized under the patronage of his Excellency the minister of Culture the 13th astronomical day in cooperation with the engineers union. The day included lectures about the Aug 11th 1999 solar eclipse. Which we will talk about in details.
JAS has made great efforts to spread the astronomical knowledge about the Aug 11th 1999 solar eclipse. Achieving that meant that the staff of JAS gave lectures, demonstrations, and answered various questions of the people all across Jordan. That was done through intensive radio, television, and newspapers appearance of JAS members, discussing the eclipse for many different aspect. JAS also sent two delegations to watch the phenomena from the totality area. One delegation was sent to Syria upon an invitation of the Syrian Cosmic Society, the other one was to Iraq, upon another invitation from Mousel University, which also organized a pan Arab conference. Despite the fact that the American planes kept bombing the site that was supposed to be the observing positions, and we could hear the voice of the bombs while listening to the lectures, the camp that was held in the historic site of "Deer Mata" was a success. Living the total eclipse experience for our members in Iraq & Syria was an unforgettable memory.
But the members who stayed behind didn't miss all the fun, they were amazingly successful in organizing a great observing station in the City Hall yard, more than 3000 Jordanians & multi-national keen amateurs participated in. different safe methods of observing the phenomena were used, provided by JAS.
In June & August 1999, Eng. Khalil Konsul was invited to Syria by the Syrian Cosmic Society to give lectures in different Syrian cities.
29th Sep, 1999, JAS completed her 12th anniversary. A grand ceremony patronage by HRH prince Faisal Bin Al-Hussein was held. Plaques made especially for this event were granted to people who helped, supported, and gave JAS a lot throughout the years.
In the period of 13th-14th November 1999 JAS, AUASS, and Al al-Bayt University organized the first International Conference of the Leonids Meteor Storm, which happens once each 33 years. More than 25 scholars & scientists specialized in the Leonids meteor showers participated from the following countries: Singapore, New Zealand, Australia, USA, Northern Ireland, Germany,
Netherlands, Armenia, Iran, Jordan, Iraq, Syria, Palestine, Saudi Arabia and UAE. 12 researches were presented in the conference, to be published later in cooperation with the IAU, which president was a participant in the conference too.
Between November 16th-19th 1999. JAS organized the first International Camp for Observing the Leonids Meteor Storm. The participants of the conference mentioned earlier also were parts of this camp next to some JAS members, astronomy interested citizens, and Media (Associated Press, France Press, The German Radio Service, Jordan TV and Radio). Mr. David Asher and Mr. Robert McNaught are well known scientists for their accurate predictions of the times of the meteor showers times were also present in the camp & in the conference.
JAS, AUASS and the ministry of Islamic affairs organized the 6th seminar entitled " Astronomy Applications in the Islamic Canon". More than 25 specialists & scientists took part in this seminar from the following countries: Jordan, Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and South Africa with a delegation of 10. This seminar made a few recommendations, the most important came as follows: To try to get the seminar into an international Islamic conference under the same title. Thus, next year a special invitation will be directed to the Islamic affairs ministries in the Islamic countries to participate in this conference.
December 16th 99 witnessed the signing of the "Hamzah Astronomical Camp" treaty with the UN. In which the UN grants JAS about $43,000 to develop the site of the Hamzah site. This site would be a joint site of astronomy, environment care & protection, and a site for experiments on desertal plants. JAS has a long term plans for establishing an astronomical school, an observatory, and a museum in the camp site in order to conduct a seminars, workshops, and training courses for thousands of the school & universities students, as well as the JAS crew. Also to be the place where the astronomical camps are held.
JAS has issued a table that contained an astronomical data about the beginnings of the Hejric months; also we issued a timetable for the prayer times in Ramadan 1420.
Following, is some of the most important things that JAS is considered to be one of its kind in the world for:
Where the main interests of the members & the committees of JAS are grouped in subjects as: Comets & meteors, Occultation, Radio observations, impact with an extraterrestrial object, Geological Astronomy, crescent observing, astronomy photography and the space technology.
Intoduction
1999... A year of success!
JAS As One of It's Kind
An Eye on The Future
Translated by Nada Abanda. Jordanian Astronomical Society (JAS), All Rights Reserved. For more information Send E-mail or contact us at :
The Jordanian Astronomical Society (JAS), P.O.Box 141568, Amman 11814 Jordan