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The Royal College Astronomical Society was formed in 1967 during the turner principle B.G. (More) 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 Mercuryon 9th May 1970 and 2003, Halleys Comet observation 1986, Comet Wilson 1987, Comet Hale-Bopp, Mars closest approach, transit of Venuswere 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 itll 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.
Involvement with other organizations
From the beginning a good relationship with Sri Lanka Astronomical Association(SLAA) and Young Astronomers Association (YAA) was kept.
RCAS members 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. (Less)
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