The Celestial Vista '24 workshop, organized by the Maliyadeva College Astronomical Society, was successfully held on the 14th of August, 2024, in the College Main Hall. The event, running from 2:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., aimed to enhance the astronomical knowledge of students from grades 7 to 11.

Overview of the Workshop

The workshop was designed to spark curiosity and deepen the understanding of astronomy among young minds. The event was a night filled with practicals, experiments, and lectures, all tailored to provide a hands-on learning experience.

Activities and Experiments

The Astronomical Society organized a variety of activities that combined fun with learning:

• Water Rocket Building Campaign: Students participated in designing and launching water rockets, learning about the principles of physics and aerodynamics that apply to space exploration.
• Egg Drop Experiment: This activity taught students about gravity and impact forces by challenging them to create contraptions that would protect an egg from breaking when dropped from a height.
• Gravity Well: An interactive demonstration that visually explained how gravity works, helping students understand the concept of gravitational pull in a tangible way.
• Spectroscope: Students were introduced to spectrometry, learning how to analyze light and understand the composition of celestial bodies.

Special Lectures

Two distinguished alumni of the Maliyadeva College Astronomical Society delivered an insightful lecture on the fascinating topic of Black Holes. Their talk provided an in-depth look at one of the most mysterious and intriguing phenomena in the universe, captivating the young audience.

Observation Night

To further enhance the observational skills of the students, the Astronomical Society organized a special observation night. With telescopes and guidance from experienced society members, students had the opportunity to gaze at the night sky, observing celestial bodies and gaining a direct experience of the universe.

Acknowledgements

The success of Celestial Vista '24 would not have been possible without the dedication and support of several key individuals:

• Mr. Nishantha Ranasinghe, the Master in Charge of the Maliyadeva College Astronomical Society, whose guidance was invaluable.
• The official committee of the Maliyadeva College Astronomical Society, who worked tirelessly to ensure the event ran smoothly.

Celestial Vista '24 was not just a workshop; it was an unforgettable journey through the wonders of astronomy, leaving the young participants inspired and more knowledgeable about the universe that surrounds us.