Khagol Mandal

Khagol Mandal is an organization of amateur astronomers in Mumbai, India. Established in 1985 by handful of astronomy enthusiasts, the organization has grown into a membership of 1000+ within past 24 years. Khagol Mandal completed 25 years in 2009. The organization was founded and is still based in Mumbai city of Maharashtra state of India.[1]

The organization was founded a year before the arrival of the Halley's comet and succeeded in its intent to generate curiosity among the general public about the comet.

The organization had various geographical units located at Sion (head office), Dombivali, Nashik, Panvel and Pune. Now Sion and Nashik unit is functional. Each unit meets periodically (usually once a week) and conducts local astronomical programs and arranges lectures/slide-shows, etc. In addition each unit also runs its own library where members can avail of books on astronomy and related subjects. Each unit is assigned a head who reports to the central committee once periodically. The unit-head prepares monthly accounts, conducts inventories and arranges for all administrative requirements of the members.[2]

In addition to the above units, the Mandal (as it is affectionately called by its members) owns land at Vangani in Thane district of Maharashtra state of India. This place and other nearby places in the vicinity are used to conduct observation sessions for the general public as well as for members. The secretary will periodically publish the dates on which these programs will be conducted. Generally the programs are conducted on Saturday evenings/nights nearest to the New moon day. This allows the observers to view the faint deep-sky objects without interference from the moon-light. Approx 8-10 programs open to public are conducted per year. The months of July, August and September are avoided which coincide with the Southwest Monsoon season in India.[3]

The Mandal published two periodicals --- Khagol Warta in the local language Marathi (translated in English it means astro-news) and Vaishwik in English (which means Universal) for several years. While the Khagol Warta was published bi-monthly (six issues per year) the Vaishwik was published tri-monthly (four times per year). [4]

See also

References
  1. "Express India". Cities.expressindia.com. Retrieved 16 February 2011.
  2. "Romancing the stars - Lifestyle - DNA". Dnaindia.com. 3 May 2009. Retrieved 16 February 2011.
  3. "Indian Express: Celestial spectacle eclipses all". Expressindia.com. Archived from the original on 11 October 2012. Retrieved 16 February 2011.
  4. "About Us". Khagolmandal.org. 13 April 2006. Retrieved 16 February 2011.
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