UP Astronomical Society

University of the Philippines Astronomical Society (UP AstroSoc)
Official logo
Established	July 30, 1991
Motto	Ad Astra per Aspera (To the stars through difficulties)
Type	University-wide, Special Interest
Members	643
Faculty Adviser	Dr. Jose Perico Esguerra
Location	PAGASA Astronomical Observatory Complex Ma. Regidor Street, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines, 1101
E-mail	upastrosociety@gmail.com mktg.upastrosoc@gmail.com

UP Astronomical Society

The University of the Philippines Astronomical Society, also known as UP AstroSoc, is a duly-recognized scientific, educational, non-profit, non-political, non-partisan organization in the University of the Philippines Diliman dedicated primarily to the study and promotion of Astronomy and oriented towards the concerns and aspirations of individuals interested in the field.

About the Organization

UP Astronomical Society was founded on July 30, 1991 by a handful of UP Diliman students with the ideals of igniting the interest of Astronomy among the UP student body and the general public. The constitution laid out four core objectives of the organization:

(1) To bring together individuals interested in astronomy,
(2) to broaden the awareness interest, knowledge and understanding among students and the general public,
(3) to contribute to the general body of knowledge of astronomy, and
(4) to promote the common interest and individual development of its members.

Today, after years of gazing up to the heavens, UP AstroSoc continues its foremost vision of bringing the wonders of the celestial world within people’s reach. It currently resides inside the PAGASA Astronomical Observatory complex in UP Diliman.

UP AstroSoc is comprised of members from different colleges and institutions with diverse backgrounds both in and out of the university. Aside from the usual social activities of a collegiate organization, UP AstroSoc partakes in several Astronomy-inclined activities throughout the academic year. Among these are Astronomy classes, public observation assemblies, and Astronomy lectures and forums. The organization also conducts Astronomy learning sessions and camps to requesting parties outside the UP community including schools and other consortiums, furthering its cause of spreading Astronomy to the general public.

Organizational Structure

Based on the 2020 Constitution (Article VI, Section 2), the highest governing body of UP AstroSoc is the Executive Cluster (elected by the General Assembly) and is composed of the Overall Coordinator, the Executive Secretary, and the Cluster Coordinator of each cluster of the organization.

The Executive Cluster

The Clusters of UP AstroSoc

Here are the appointed members of the Executive Cluster for the Academic Year 2022-2023.

Over-all Coordinator: Abigail Bait-it
Executive Secretary: Roanne Mae Angeles
Education & Research Cluster Coordinator: Michael Vincent Pagcu
External Affairs Cluster Coordinator: Nikki Eryka Teng
Finance Cluster Officer-in-Charge: Norlan Chris Mallari
Observation & Instrumentation Cluster Coordinator: Paul Eric De Silva
Resource Cluster Coordinator: Raphael Omila

Clusters

UP AstroSoc is divided into different standing committees known as Clusters. These Clusters are comprised of members and work interdependently with one another and of the Executive cluster. The five Clusters of the organization are:

• The Education and Research, or EdRes Cluster,
• The External Affairs Cluster,
• The Finance Cluster,
• The Observation and Instrumentation or ObsIn Cluster, and
• The Resource Cluster

Activities and Events

Sidewalk Astronomy
Lakbay Langit
Lakbay Liwanag
Astronomy Convention
Astronomical Event Observations
Astronomy Outreach
International Observe the Moon Night (InOMN) Celebration
National Astronomy Week (NAW) Celebration
Starburst Astronomy Workshop
Alternative Classroom Learning Experience (ACLE)
Astronomy Lectures and Labs

Membership

Although UP AstroSoc is composed of members of different backgrounds all over the country, the application for membership is exclusively open for currently-enrolled students of University of the Philippines, Diliman.

The applicants undergo a semester-long application process in order to learn about the dynamics of the organization and to get acquainted with its members. This involves the conduct of multiple Astronomical lectures and laboratory immersions, assessments, interviews, as well as numerous social activities and events for the applicants.

Affiliations

The UP Astronomical Society is officially recognized by the Office of Student Projects and Activities under the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs of the University of the Philippines Diliman, as a university-wide, special interest organization. It is also listed by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) Directory for World Astronomy as a bonafide astronomical organization.

UP AstroSoc is a founding member of the Philippine Union of Student Organizations (PUSO) for Astronomy, a collaborative network of student organizations for astronomy in the country.

External Links

• UP Astronomical Society on Facebook.
• UP Astronomical Society on Twitter.
• UP Astronomical Society on Instagram.