JVP’s Timeline

Parisanstha started working in Nana-Wada, a school run by Deccan Education Society.

Membership of Parisanstha was classified into four classes: 1) Class 1: Life Members: Members paying membership fee Rs. 500 or more 2) Class 2: Life members: Members paying membership fee Rs. 100 or more 3) Class 3: Annual members: Members paying membership fee annually Rs. 3 and 4) Class 4: Annual members: Members paying membership fee annually Rs. 1 (Members of this class can not apply for governing council elections).

Constitution of the Parisanstha was written by Prof. Sakharampant Apte, Mr. Tryambakrao Dhavale and Prof. S. K. Deo.

Parisanstha was registered as a Charitable Trust.

Prof. M. L. Chandratreya, Prof. G. R. Paranjape, Prof. S. K. Deo, Mr. Indradev read Surya-Siddhant at Yandyavalkya Ashram. Prof. Chandratreya also conducted study circle on Surya Siddhant every sunday at Nana-Wada.

Prof. M. G. Sathe donated 3.5″ refractor telescope to JVP.

Prof. Chandratreya and Prof. Gurjar conducted study circle every Sunday at Nana-Wada.

सौरव्याख्यानमाला (Saur-Vyakhyan-Mala). Lecture series consisted of 15 lectures. The lecture series was inaugurated by Dr. Raghunath Paranjpe.

The booklet on Star maps published by JVP won the award by Deccan Vernacular Society and the same was sanctioned by Government of Mumbai Region for the schools.

JVP started पंचांग कृती वर्ग (Panchang Kruti Varga)

Theme: सूर्यकुल (Suryakul) i.e. solar system. This second lecture series consisted of 12 lectures and was inaugurated by Dr. Babasaheb Jaykar, Vice-Chancellor, University of Pune. Exhibition consisted of charts, astronomical maps and photographs.

JVP started Basic Astronomy Course for the 10th standard students.

तारकानगरी (Tarakanagari). Lecture series was inaugurated by Dr. Nanasaheb Parulekar, editor, Sakal. Lecture series consisted of eight lectures.

चंद्रप्रभा (Chandraprabha). Lecture series was inaugurated by Mr. L. M. Nadakarni.

वेधसाधने व वेधशाळा (Vedhasadhane Va Vedhashala). Lecture series was inaugurated by Mr. Shankar Balaji Dhavale, Sr. Judge.

Lecture series on research by Lokamanya Tilak in the field of astronomy.

JVP Conducted Refresher Course in Astronomy for school teachers.

JVP organised a lecture series covering topics on evolution of astronomy through ages from Vedic astronomy till radio astronomy.

Jyotirvidya Parisanstha was announced as “Research and Cultural Institute” by Director of Education, Government of Maharashtra. Parisanstha also received grant from Government of Maharashtra.

JVP organized a public show of an astronomical movie, “This Island Earth” at Vijay theater, Pune.

JVP organised a seminar on Indian National Solar Calendar being published by Government of India. Two of the JVP members work on the committee appointed by Government of India for the respective purpose.

JVP started a study circle for advance studies in astronomy. Members studied Spherical trigonometry, Mathematical astronomy, Spectroscopy and Celestial mechanics in the first year.

Study circle for advance studies continued to work in this year also. The topics studied this year were: To calculate dates of Diwali and Easter, Mathematics of relativity theory, Spectroscopy, positional astronomy for planets, depleted month in Hindu calendars, research by Major Gadre.

Directorate of Extension Programs for Secondary Education (National Council of Educational Research and Training) organized “Science Fair” in association with Jyotirvidya Parisanstha. Executive members of JVP delivered lectures on December 1st on the following topics: 1) Nakshatras and Zodiacal constellations (Prof. M. L. Chandratreya), Sun and Solar system (Prof. J. B. Kumathekar), Stars, Nebulae, galaxies and universe (Princ. G. R. Paranjpye), Artificial satellites (Dr. M. V. Chipalunkar). JVP also conducted star party on the evening of 1st December and early morning on 2nd December at four different places: Rasta Peth Educational School, Ahilyadevi Highschool, Nutan Marathi Vidyalay, Modern Highschool.

Mr. Raghavendra Rao Udyavar organised a lecture series in association with Jyotirvidya Parisanstha on the subject, “Astronomy in Rugved” at New English School, Ramanbag.

Jyotirvidya Parisanstha organised science film shows in association with United States Information Service at Bhave Highschool, Pune. Four scientific films were shown in the program: 1) Our Nearest Star 2) The Force of Gravity 3) Magnetic Force 4) Shape of the Earth.

Study Circle was active at Jyotirvidya Parisanstha. The topics studied were: Astronomy for Marathi Encyclopedia, Observation of double star through telescope, Vedic Religion based on Scientific Astronomy, Mathematics of planetary orbits.

1) Present nature of astronomical studies

2) Tensor calculus for advance astronomical studies.

Jyotirvidya Parisanstha, College of Engineering, Pune and Kirloskar Magazine jointly organised a course on astronomy at Nutan Marathi Vidyalay. 35 people attended the course.

Study circle was active in the Parisanstha. Topics discussed were: orbit of Ikeya Seiki comet, artificial satellites, experiments for astronauts, spherical trigonometry, Surya-siddhant.

Members of Parisanstha built a reflector telescope for observations. Members who took special efforts were: Mr. Ravindra Raste, Mr. Ravindra Nene, Mr. Chandramohan Navalekar, Mr. M. B. Pant, Mr. Y. R. Nene.

Jyotirvidya Parisanstha and United States Information Service jointly organised a film show at Perugate Bhave Highschool. Films shown were: 1) Gemini VI and VII-Rendezvous, 2) Savanah, 3) Destination Man.

Study circle was active in the Parisanstha. Discussion with experimental demonstration, photographs, charts, maps, data books and different items of equipment used in astronomical and astrophysical work were arranged by Dr. M. W. Chipalunkar in the University Department of Physics. Various topics in astronomy and astrophysics were dealt with.

This year founder chairperson of Parisanstha, Prof. D. D. Kapadia and another founder member, Prof. M. L. Chandratreya passed away. Hence the programs for the silver jubilee were arranged in the year 1971. On 25 July 1971, a program was organized at New English School, Tilak Road. On this occasion, senior founder members of Parisanstha were felicitated. Prof. N. M. Athavale donated a self made 4″ refractor telescope to Parisanstha

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Office of Parisanstha shifted to Princ. G. R. Paranjapye’s Bungalow.

Study circle was active at Parisanstha. Topics discussed at the meetings of study circle were: Dates of space missions launching by USA and USSR, Relativity theory, Energy of body moving in orbit, polarization of light, Birth place of Bhaskaracharya.

Telescopic observations of occultation of beta-Scorpius by Jupiter at Nutan Marathi Vidyalay. JVP member, Mr. Kajarekar photographed the event through the telescope at E.R.D.L. lab at Pashan.

Jyotirvidya Parisanstha, Marathi Vigyan Parishad, National Chemical Laboratory and Srushti Dnyan Magazine organized a first death anniversary of Dr. Sir Chandrashekhar Venkatraman.

Parisanstha’s office shifted from Prof. G. R. Paranjape’s residence to Dnyan Prabodhini.

Study circle was active at Parisanstha. Topics discussed in the study circle were: concept of month, solar eclipse, Canopus (Agastya) star, lunar eclipse, vedic science, why stars blink, outer planets’ positional astronomy.

Study circle was active at Parisanstha. Topics discussed in the study circle were: comet West, lunar eclipse on 13 May, science of black holes, possibility of extra terrestrial life, science in ancient Indian books, meaning of western names of planets, mathematics for positional astronomy of planets.

Parisanstha organized a course for 10th class students, teaching them astronomy and geography. The course was conducted on every sunday at New English School, Tilak road. Mr. M. N. Gokhale and Mr. Y. R. Nene conducted the course.

Study circle was active at JVP. Topics studied at study circle: planetary orbits, lunar months, satellites of Jupiter, Makar Sankranti, blinking and colour variation of stars, scattering of light, Nehru planetarium at Mumbai, orbits of earth and moon.

Jyotirvidya Parisanstha’s office shifted to new building of Tilak Smarak Mandir. The office is being shared by Jyotirvidya Parisanstha and Marathi Vigyan Parishad.

Study circle was active at JVP. Topics studied at study circle: Orbits of earth and moon, Extra month (Adhik Mas) or depleted month (Kshaya Mas) in Hindu calendar, occultation of Aldebran by moon in October 1978, Retrograde motion of planets, Roche limit for planets, effect of moon on cyclones and high tides, Lunar eclipse on 24 March 1978, Nodes for eclipses, prediction of Pluto’s position in sky in 1912 by Vyankatesh Bapuji Ketkar, how black holes were discovered when there is no light is coming out from it, northward and southward motion of Sun in sky.

Annual membership fee of JVP was increased from Rs. 3 to Rs. 5.

Study Circle was active at JVP. Topic studied at study circle were: Laser rays and their use for communication with artificial satellites and holography, mathematical methods to calculate conjunctions and oppositions of Sun-Moon, variable stars, occultation of stars and planets by moon, period of moon to be visible after new moon, moon phases, experiments to be done at solar eclipse on 16 February 1980, sun spots, change in orbit of Skylab while returning to earth.

An astronomical course was conducted which included one star gazing session every month. The course was conducted at Nutan Marathi Vidyalay, Pune.

From February, article series was started in Daily Sakal. Articles were published on every first and third Sunday.

First Indian Amateur Astronomers’ Meet was held at Pune. This meet was jointly hosted by Jyotirvidya Parisanstha and IUCAA.

Nobel Laureate S. Chandrashekhar visited JVP.

Road shows with telescopes were done through the year.

Fred Hoyle visited JVP.

Astronomical Exhibition in Pune at Tilak Smarak Mandir.

First Telescope Making Workshop conducted at JVP.

Basic Astronomy Course was conducted with around 15 lectures and one overnight observational session. It then continued as a yearly program of JVP.

For the first time in the Indian time zone, Meteor Shower Observation Group started working in JVP. The observations by this group were submitted to International Meteor Organisation (IMO), Germany for four years in a row.

First Telescope Owners’ Meet held at Tamhini, District Pune.

Diamond Jubilee year of Parisanstha.

Mars closest to earth once in 60,000 years. JVP celebrated Mars week between 19 to 27 Aug. 2003. Public show of Mars through telescopes were arranged from Kesariwada, Pune though out the week. On August 22, 2003 on foundation day of JVP, Dr. Prakash Tupe gave lecture on Mars. On August 23, 2003 overnight workshop on Mars was arranged at Tamhini, District Pune.

JVP procured 10″ Celestron Newtonian Telescope.

Celebration of International Year of Astronomy: On 1 January 2009 road shows from Vartak Garden, Sambhaji bridge, S. M. Joshi bridge, Z-bridge. Venus and Moon were shown through telescopes. Hundreds of people participated in these shows.

Live updates to Radio Mirchi. 10 members of JVP observed the eclipse from Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh.

Live updates at on News Channel: IBN Lokmat. 10 members of JVP observed the eclipse from Rameshwaram and Kanyakumari.

Articles on astronomical events in Sakal Times by Mr. Deepak Joshi & Mr. Aniruddha Deshpande.

Zero Shadow Day Celebration at Tilak Smarak Mandir. Around 100 people visited the program. Since then, this program is organized as annual program of JVP.

Photos clicked by JVP members (Parimal Dave and Sagar Gokhale), were published on websites of astronomical magazines, Sky & Telescope and Astronomy, etc.

JVP procured EQ 6-Pro equatorial mount for 10″ Celestron Newtonian Telescope. This setup was made fully computerized along with Canon 7D DSLR camera. This setup facilitated advanced observational programs for JVP members. This facility is stationed permenantly at Kesariwada, Pune.

We had this century’s second and the last transit of Venus on June 6, 2012. JVP in collaberation with Astroclub of Physics Department, Fergusson College had arranged a public program for observation of Venus transit on June 6, 2012 at Fergusson College ground, Pune. JVP had arranged 12 telescope for public viewing along with live projection of transit through 10″ celestron telescope. Due to heavy clouds people could observe the transit only for 30 minutes through small windows in clouds. Third and fourth contact were observed by people. Nearly 800 people attended the program.

As a next step to Basic Astronomy Course, Parisanstha has organized a course based on mathematical astronomy for the members of Parisanstha: “Elementary Positional Astronomy”. Mr. V. V. Sovani, Former President of Jyotirvidya Parisanstha conducted this course at Tilak Smarak Mandir. The topics covered in this course were: Spherical trigonometry, Celestial co-ordinate system and their inter-conversions, Planetary orbital elements, Time system – equation of time, Rising, setting, meridian transits of celestial bodies, Angular distance calculations, Geometric and heliocentric coordinate transformations, Binary stars, Diffraction, parallax calculations, Occultation and eclipse calculations, Comets related calculations. 29 members participated in this course.

Telescope library started at JVP. Facility started for JVP members for free. Few 4″ and 6″ telescopes were made available.

10″ Celestron Newtonian Telescope alongwith Skywatcher EQ 6-Pro mount was stationed permantly at Kesariwada to carry out observations like Variable Star Observations. The set-up was named as Kesariwada JVP Observatory (KJO)

Occultation Observation activity was started at JVP. Few asteroid and lunar occultations were observed in report year.

Activity was started at JVP. Observations were submitted to AAVSO. Activity was led by Mr. Aniruddha Deshpande.

Sky survey for transients was performed for 100 consecutive days.

JVP participated in outreach meeting of TMT at IUCAA. JVP presented model of TMT to IUCAA on this occasion.

3 m dome was constructed for telescope stationed at Kesariwada. Dome was designed and constructed by JVP members. The facility was inaugurated by IUCAA Director, Prof. Ajit Kembhavi.

JVP members, Mr. Aniruddha Deshpande and Mr. Deepak Joshee participated in a workshop for students at Goa. KJO was for the first time operated remotely from Goa for demonstration of observatory set up for students of BITS-Goa.

Celestron 11″ EdgeHD 1100XLT. It improved quality of observations to a good extent.

Variable star observations submitted to AAVSO: count of observations increased to 1000.

TYC 2430-01124-1 by asteroid, 22 Kalliope was recorded by JVP members from 16 stations and size and shape of the asteroid was calculated using these observations. Observations were presented to IOTA.

VIgyan Prasar NETwork of science clubs (a program by Vigyan Prasar, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India).

Variable star observations submitted to AAVSO: count of observations increased to 10000.

For High School students at Jnana Prabodhini Navanagar Vidyalalay,Nigdi on 15th April 2025

Study Tour to GMRT & IGO

Astrophotography Workshop at Patan Dist. Satara

Public Star Party at Manali Agro Farm,Naigaon,near Nasarapur

Basic Course In Practical Astronomy Lectures

Invited Starparty for Anita Travels at Patan(Dist. Satara)

Study Tour to Alibaug Magnetic Observatory and Nehru Planetarium,Mumbai

Public Star Party at Manali Agro Farm, Naigaon, near Nasarapur

Overnight ‘Messier Marathon’ practice session at Patan (for members)

 Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation and Io-Ganymede exiting Jovian shadow

Mercury  Visibility stopped just now from KJO

Invited Starparty at Muktangan High School

Public Star Party at Manali Agro Farm, Naigaon, near Nasarapur

JVP members volunteered at National Science Day celebrations at GMRT

Invited star party at Kalmadi Shamarao High School

General Body Meeting (annual budget) at KJO

Executive Committee Meeting (pre-budget) at JVP office

Overnight workshop (intermediate level) for members only

Planet Parade – Watching Saturn, Venus, Jupiter and Mars through a telescope

Public Star Party at Manali Agro Farm, Naigaon, near Nasarapur

Invited star party at MKSSS’s Vision English Medium School, Narhe

Invited Starparty on Solar Observations At Modern Education Society’s Wadia college of engineering,Pune

Invited star party at Pavana Lake for a kids’ camp

“The Era of Sky Surveys” by Prof. Alex Szalay and “Dark Energy – Einstein’s Biggest Blunder?” by Prof. Ofer Lahav

Microscopic observation of micro-organisms in Lonar water samples with Prof. PK Ghanekar

Observation from KJO: “(P5M04) Callisto (IV)” occults the star “UCAC4 559-010930”

Invited star party at JK Hill Park Co. Op. Hsg. Soc., Dhayari

Public Star Party at Manali Agro Farm, Naigaon, near Nasarapur

मराठी खगोल अभ्यासकांचे १३वे राज्यस्तरीय संमेलन.

Invited star party at Kambare for School of Fashion Technology, Narhe

Public Lecture ‘Cosmic Time Machine’ by Prof. Lutz Wisotzki at the Institution of Engineers Hall

Public Star Party at Manali Agro Farm, Naigaon, near Nasarapur

Invited star party at Geet Govind Foundational School, Khadki

South India Astro Study Tour 2024

Place – Vainu Bappu Observatory, Kavlour, TN

Invited star parties at Mind Tree School, Ambala

Basic Astronomy Course was Conducted online for All the participants

Exhibition On “Indias Footprint in Astronomy” was organized at Yashwantrao Chavan Art Gallery, Kothrud, Pune

Public Star Party at Manali Agro Farm, Naigaon, near Nasarapur

Public Star Party at Abhyankar Farms, Naigaon, near Nasarapur

Invited Starparty At Army Public School, Ahamadnagar

Invited StarParty At Roha

Study Tour To GMRT & IGO

Open Program Show at Balgandharva Bridge

Invited StarParty At Army School Ahamadnagar

Invited StarParty At kids Campat Eco village Varasgaon

Open Lecture by Disha Sawant on One million galaxies and More

Study Tour to Lonar Impact Crater Lake, Dist. Buldhana

Modern college Ganeshkhind Pune cource

Public Star Party at Manali Agro Farm, Naigaon, near Nasarapur

 Invited starparty at Bidkar foundation RajguruNagar

Astrophotography Preparation

First Astrophotography done by JVP team

Open Program Of Zero Shadow Day at Tilak Smarak Mandir,Tilak road,Pune

Invited Starparty at Megapolis Sangrila

JVP’ s South India Study Tour

Public Star Party at Manali Agro Farm, Naigaon, near Nasarapur

Skywatcher EQ8 Pro mount with Quattro 12 inch OT

Public Program for Chandrayan and Vikram Landing at Yashwantrao Chavan Art Gallery,Kothrud,Pune

 Public lecture on “Echoes from the Cosmos” by Prof. Dr. Katrien Kolenberg at Institution of Engineers.

Occultation taken

Public Star Party at Manali Agro Farm, Naigaon, near Nasarapur

 Occultation of HIP 15746 by 115 Thyra

Open program Venus- Moon occultation at Kesariwada Jyotirvidya Observatory

Open house at Parisanstha’s observatory at Kesariwada.

 Public event Jupiter Opposition at Kesariwada

JVP’s North India Study Tour

 Launch of Aditya L-1, model of Aditya L1made by JVP displayed at IUCAA

 Muktangan school lecture series class 7th to 9th

Public Star Party at Manali Agro Farm, Naigaon, near Nasarapur

Public Star Party at Manali Agro Farm, Naigaon, near Nasarapur

Mr. Prathamesh Jaju conducted a workshop on astrophotography and star party every night for 25 participants on each night

Astrophotography workshop at Nisargayan, Pasali village

Antares occultation by Moon at Shivaji nagar Metro Station Pune

Science Day was celebrated at GMRT, Khodad

Occultation 1211 Bressole star TYC 302-00440-1

Public Star Party at Manali Agro Farm, Naigaon, near Nasarapur

Open Program of Zero Shadow Day at Tilak Smarak Mandir,Tilak Road,Pune

Public StarParty At Abyankar Farm

Lunar Occultation of Mars

Indian Institute of Astrophysics arrenged national workshop onPublic Engagement in Astronomy in the Pandemic Era

 Invited lecture on Introduction to astronomy and sky watching by Atharva Pathak

Open program of Zero Shadow Day was held online