By now, Dr. Tan Cheng Bock's appetite for
the cosmos is intense. It seems the chief guest can't wait to peep into the telescopes. Au Man Choo doubles up as
his host-and-guide, and leads him to Wira, a middle-aged Singaporean of Indian extraction.
Among Singapore's amateur astronomers, Wira owns
the most sophisticated, motorized, tripod-mounted telescope. Actually, it is a combination of two telescopes and some
black-color equipment that resembles powerful light-sets used in movie production.
The little monster has a built-in GPS system.
Once switched on, it connects automatically to the nearest satellite in space, and then gives your exact geographical coordinates. It
can focus on a star that is most likely to be clearly visible at any given moment.
The MP is suitably impressed. He enquires about
the price. And suggests he is inspired: he may well work towards getting a similar telescope installed in some institution.
Au Man Choo informs him how Wira frequents Malaysia
to observe the stars from a vantage spot near Johor.
The MP is curious how the Malaysian customs respond
to Wira's regular trips. "Well, they ask me about the equipment. I tell them it's a telescope and how I use it to track stars
and planets. The next thing they say is, 'Can we join you after our duty?' " Everyone breaks into a guffaw.
The MP seems desperate to have a look through
the eyepiece. Wira appears to be unaware of this. He does not take the clue. Neither does he offer to switch on the telescope.
The MP politely quizzes whether or not he would switch on the equipment. Wira looks up toward the heavens, assesses the overcast
skies, and says fat chance. The MP and his entourage move on.
MYTH
ABOUT CHINESE DISPELLED
More onlookers, mostly Chinese, converge on Wira's
equipment. He happily shares information and knowledge. They ask pointed questions, demonstrating how well-informed they
are about science and related topics.
(In the process, they dispel a myth propagated
by some resident expatriates. And the myth is, err was, this: apparently, most of the local Chinese Singaporeans
don't use their brains, their intellect. They, the story went, are like robots in effect, conditioned to perform only simple
tasks. Like eating, drinking, shopping and mechanically climbing up and down the ubiquitous escalators. Be that as it may.)
11 pm, BUT THE CROWD STAYS ON
It's almost 11 pm. No sign of stars yet. But the hundreds of aspiring
star-gazers and potential astronomers show no signs of calling it a day either.
Most of them are at this under-publicised event by chance, and have stayed put for the evening. A Saturday evening,
mind you, when a million other attractions may have been vying for their time and attention.
Volunteer Syed, a Singaporean citizen sporting Indian sub-continental looks, lets loose a sigh. "The color of the
sky would be completely different if all the lights in the neighborhood are switched off." What he probably means is that
interior Singapore spots, away from street lights, should be more suited for star-gazing.
Wira says the organizers may stay put through the night, until dawn, provided it doesn't rain. Else, another
Mars Watch may be organized next week.
He laments there has not been much media coverage of the event. He thinks awareness of star-gazing/astronomy
as a hobby is necessary to spread scientific temper.
Perhaps, star-gazing can be a better alternative to potentially unhealthy bouts of discos, TV, cinema,
fast food, consumerism, someone in the crowd suggests.
Some even argue astronomy as a hobby can be therapeutic, a stress-buster. Some Indian spiritual preachers endorse
the view there are indeed two worlds: outer world (the physical world -- satya) and the inner world (one's
thoughts, emotions, feelings -- mithya).
Perhaps, a pastime like astronomy may help harmonize one's inner world with the outer world and the celestial world?
Click here to know more.
Wira agrees. In a small place like Singapore, he says, it's not always possible to find the ideal job where your talents,
passions and the needs of the employer match. "But money is important." So, it's sensible to make a compromise and go in for
a job that you can do well, that pays well. At the same time, also pursue your passions by way of a hobby. "That's the
way to strike a balance."
A hobby like star-gazing can spell money too. At the MRT 'base camp', I notice an amateur photographer's
stunning collection of celestial spectacles on sale. A stall puts up astronomy merchandise for sale: 3D holograms,
stickers, bookmarks, table-games, toys.
I see hundreds of enthusiasts enquiring about the range of telescope prices, and then being pleasantly surprised
by the "lower than expected" figures.
It seems many Singaporeans would be more than willing to shell out $500-$2,000 for a professional-grade telescope
or a pair of astro-binoculars. Of course, hi-tech stuff, like Wira's, would cost $8,000-$12,000.
If an event beside an MRT station can evoke such tremendous curiosity, it is not hard to imagine the potential for
business island-wide. Will astronomy events replace the neighbourhood fairs and mobile entertainment shows? Maybe yes. Perhaps
not.
STARS OF THE EVENING
The scene acquires dimensions of a giant-size instant picnic. Some tykes zoom around, shrieking and screaming, proving
an able match for the rock music on the hi-fi systems. Couples hold hands, whisper sweet-nothings, move about the gardens,
intoxicated by the lovely evening and the cool air, fragrant with the melange of Poison, other exotic perfumes, and scents
of the flora.
So much so a young Chinese pair decides to make the most of the time. They embrace and try out ingenious ways
of smooching in public. The sensuality is NOT obscene or indecent; rather, a symbol of the phrase 'star-struck'. It is as though the
cool, gentle, manly breeze and the feminine grassy outfield -- busy in their amour all this while -- suddenly
decided to assume human forms, to celebrate our planet and the universe. All God's creations. Amen!
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you could help a WOMAN IN DISTRESS
India's President A P J Abdul Kalam will lead world-famous Indian CEOs in a spiritual conclave
inSeptember 2003. Theeventwillbe heldin Kerala to mark the 50th birthday celebrations of renownedspiritualleaderMata
Amritanandamayi. Theunifyingthemewillbe:"Changingthe Individual and the World Through Spiritual
Love and Compassion". Click here to read
the news.
