The Cafe Sci Dubai Astronomy Group aims to spread a sense of wonder and awe about the vastness of the universe and about the mysteries of space. Through stargazing activities, workshops, telescopic viewing, TEDx talks, exhibitions, conferences, quizzes, and camping trips, the group works on making astronomy fun and on creating awareness about the importance of taking a cosmic perspective. 

 

The lead astronomers are Rohan Roberts and Raya Bidshahri who have several years' experience promoting astronomy in schools, conferences, science festivals and corporate events in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. They are regular guests on radio shows and their work has been covered extensively by the local press.

 

The Cafe Sci Dubai Astronomy Group is an affiliated member of Astronomers Without Borders, a global organisation that fosters understanding and goodwill across national and cultural boundaries by creating relationships through the universal appeal of astronomy.

 

Night Sky Highlights:

Meteor Showers, Planetary Oppositions, Sunspots, Messier Objects, Eclipses,  Constellations, Top 10 brightest stars, Planetary Transits, and Comets. 

 

Main telescope:

Celestron CPC 1100 StarBright XLT GPS Schmidt-Cassegrain 2800mm Telescope with fully computerized dual fork arm altazimuth mount. (NexStar computer control technology; GPS alignment; 280 mm aperture, 2800 mm focal length)

 

Secondary telescope:

Celestron 21061 AstroMaster 70AZ Refractor Telescope (Optical Lens Diameter 2.6" 70mm)

 

Primary Binoculars:

Yukon Advanced Optics Newtonian Reflector Binoculars (50mm objective lens, 30x magnification,  32m@1,000m field of view). 

 

Starwalk Stargazing smartphone app:

Interactive astro guide to the night sky, for exploration of over 200, 000 celestial bodies with extensive information about stars, constellations, and satellites. 

 

For more details, contact: 

Lara Matossian

SciFest Dubai™

Founder & CEO 

 

Images from Cafe Sci Dubai Astronomy Group Events 

Geminid Meteor Shower | Hatta | December 2013

Using the StarWalk smartphone app to tour the sky

Saturn Opposition | April 2013 | The Winchester School

Veiwing Messier Objects | February 2013 | Jumeirah College

GEMS World Academy Planetarium | Dubai | April 2014

Higher Colleges of Technol0gy Planetarium | Sharjah | April 2012

Total Lunar Eclipse | December 2011 | Al Barsha

Venus Transit | June 2012 | Al Barsha

NASA Space Camp | Huntsville, USA

Astronomy Art Workshop

Promoting Astronomy at TEDx | November 2012

Promoting Astronomy at the Global Education Forum| March 2014

Promoting Astronomy on National Radio | Dubai Today | Classic FM | Talking of Books

Hubble 3D | IMAX Movie Screenings

Astronomy Art Exhibition | January 2013 | Bastakiya Art District

Promoting Astronomy as part of the HUMAN project

Astronomy Art Exhibition | SciFest Dubai | Meydan Theatre

Critical Wonder conference | SciFest Dubai | February 2014

Promoting Astronomy at the UNESCO Expo-Sciences International | Sept 2013

Leonid Meteror Shower | November 2011

Arabian Addventures | Astronomy Camp | May 2014

Hayden Planetarium | New York | May 2014

CERN Complex | Switzerland | July 2012

Cafe Sci Dubai Star Party: Jupiter at Opposition | 6 Feb 2015