Astronomy Club of Kosova

42°39′41.9″N 21°09′31.3″E / 42.661639°N 21.158694°E / 42.661639; 21.158694 Astronomy Club of Kosovo or in (Albanian: Klubi i Astronomëve Amatorë të Kosovës),^[1] is the first science activity and the highest distribution of astronomy throughout Albanian areas with the aim to build, promote, popularize and bring the knowledge of science and astronomy in the Republic of Kosovo and the region. Founded on March 20, 2014 by a group of passionate students who share the passion for the art of astronomy and everything related to it. ACK, leadership structure, is made up of 3 original founders Suhel Ahmeti, Pranvera Hyseni and Dardan Gashi later consisting of 3 other founders such as Nurtene Gavazi, Arber Halili and Hava Jahaj.

President & Founder: Suhel Ahmeti, Board Members (15 representatives altogether, representing the highest decision-making structure), Leader of the Assembly Members: Muhamed Zeqiri, Secretary: Pranvera Begolli, Board Members: Sabit Gashi, Shpresa Mehmeti, Flaktrim Rrahimi, Rina Berisha and numerous members and volunteers who are active with our events and contribute their time to the benefit of the community.^[1] ^[2] ^[3] ^[4]

History

The group initially came together as only lovers of astronomy, with simple tools that each member of the group had in their homes, slowly growing into a more serious group with scheduled meetings for stargazing, discussions about astronomy and ways that the group can impact the community. After a long activity, when the number of members increased. Astronomy Club of Kosovo, decided to establish as an NGO official association of young people in Kosovo. The NGO has been registered in late 2014,^[1] being the 1st science & astronomy club in Kosovo since people had shown interest towards astronomy and realized that the community needs to grow and find ways to support the activities. ^[5] Astronomy in Kosovo is left behind, maybe because this field is costly or the conflict on the Balkans in 1999, had an impact on the economic development and other processes important for development of the country. Kosovo has the youngest population in Europe and is on the road towards European and Euro-Atlantic integration. Kosovo is still in the transition phase, and most of the astronomy teaching that is done in schools is done in a most impractical way and all in theory. The club's aims are to bring practical experience where it is needed and to use every opportunity to teach teachers who own telescopes but do not know how to convey their usage to students. ^[6] ^[7]^[4]

Partial Lunar Eclipse in Pristina, Kosovo 2016

Passion & Possibilities

The art of astronomy is not a very well-known activity in Kosovo, mostly as a result of the lack of information and equipment. By creating a space where people who are interested can at least get the information they require about astronomy, and in case they want to be more serious with our club then we will involve them in our programs and activities. The telescopes will help us with the ability of serving more people at the same time, and hopefully increase our range of activities.

As a growing club, Astronomy Club of Kosovo has new members, young and old, who are actively interested in astronomy and want to know more about how to engage with fellow astronomy lovers. The aim is to use the telescopes and whichever tools are at the disposal to help grow their love of astronomy through the astronomical events. By also creating the opportunity for professors interested in practical lessons of astronomy to use the equipment and premises and continue training professors in the art of astronomy so they can bring a more practical experience of their subjects to their students. Its important to organize joint events with other astronomy clubs in Kosovo, Albania and Internationally, with the aim of creating an astronomy network consisting at first of these countries, and later expand into including as many countries as we can manage.^[1] ^[2]^[4]

Structure

Based on the responsibilities provided by the Statute, the ACK Board shall act every-time in accordance with the purpose of the organization.

NASA Space Apps Challenge Prishtina

Position	Name / Surname
Executive Director & Founder	Suhel Ahmeti
Chairman	Muhamed Zeqiri
Secretary	Pranvera Begolli
Board Member	Sabit Gashi
Board Member	Shpresa Mehmeti
Board Member	Flaktrim Rrahimi
Board Member	Rina Berisha

Activities & Events

NatEv at NASA HQ

So far, with all the possibilities and capabilities that have been available ACK has organized so many public events, star-parties, astro-camps, festivals, seminars etc. Depending on the weather conditions: We organize public events, solar events (using protective filte,projecting method, and H-Alpha Solar Telescope). Astro camps once a month, usually done away from city light and light pollution. Astro festivals which are traditional festivals held in the city of Prizren, also known as the city of festivals in the Balkan. Astronomy seminars, with important topics about astronomy gathering qualified speakers as Prof. Dr. Jahja Kokaj[1] an Albanian scientist who lectures at the University of Kuwait and worked for NASA[2] in the past. By also following rare astronomical events, such as planet movements or aligning, visible comets, solar or lunar eclipses, astrophotography etc.^[2]^[4]

Astronomers Without Borders

Boundaries vanish when we look skyward - ONE PEOPLE, ONE SKY. We all share the same sky, and Astronomers Without Borders brings the world together to share our passion of astronomy and the wonders of the Universe.

AWB - One People, One Sky

National Coordinators[3] ^[8] bring Affiliates into Astronomers Without Borders, and organize and expedite AWB programs in their countries. They also represent their country in discussions of global projects. Astronomy Club of Kosovo on 2016 has achieved to become the next official representative and coordinator of Astronomers Without Borders for Albania and Kosovo, which is the global community of astronomers in the world with the motto "One People - One Sky" representing Rep. of Kosovo with astronomy internationally and giving a positive image of our country as an Ambassador. Soon we expect to make visits abroad and bring international experience in Kosovo.

Observatory of Pristina

Observatory of Pristina at the Palace of Culture, Youth & Sport

In 1979, some young people had established "Kosovo Young Researchers", among which was the astronomy club. At that time, the astronomy club was practicing its activity at the Dome [4] / Observatory[5] and the office located near the Palace_of_Youth_and_Sports[6] in Pristina. Through this dome, various astronomical observations have been made, collaborating with regional clubs, organizing study tours etc. The construction and origin of this dome is from the United States, Illinois.

Whereas today, after the declaration of Kosovo's Independence, it is expected that this observatory will be re-fictionalized and reintroduced again by Astronomy Club of Kosovo. The aim is to organize public events, observing rare astronomical events, by carrying out observations, scientific discoveries, opening to the public and giving them opportunities and approaches. Just as many countries and clubs in the world have their own observatories, our goal is to become the center of the different amateur and professional astronomers.

In the 1980s, the observatory at the Youth Center in Pristina [7] which was once called "Boro & Ramiz" was used for scientific and educational purposes, and since that time according to our information, this observatory was no longer used and used for the destination which was built. Finally, our request has been approved by the government and its the matter of time when it will be reopened again for the public as it will also need renovations.^[1]^[4]

Media Covering

References

External links

[ACK-1] Official Site (ENG)

[Fiat-2] Growing Connections Fiat Physica

[3] ACK - SKY & TELESCOPE

[Facebook-4] Astronomy Club of Kosovo History & Newsletter

[5] Portal to the Universe - Astronomy Club of Kosovo

[Official-6] Astronomy Club of Kosovo History & Newsletter

[7] ACK - SKY & TELESCOPES

[8] AWB Article (National Coordinator)

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