Academic Journal
Dr. Jesus Rodrigo F. Torres
Abstract
Astronomy in the Philippines as a field of study is in almost-forgotten science. There are no
schools offering the course. The instruments needed by astronomers in the Philippines to study the
Universe, mainly the telescopes, are very few and are mostly in the hands of amateur astronomers. The
University of the Philippines and PAGASA have two observatory type telescopes but they are of small
aperture, specifically 16-inch and 20-inch. Compared to the giant telescopes in Mauna Kea in Hawaii,
and in Cerro Tololoand Cerro Paranal in Chile which have 10-meter telescopes among their ranks, our
biggest telescopes are paltry in comparison. Astronomy is hardly one of the priorities of our institutions
concerned with science, perhaps because it is primarily concerned with pure research, which is
perceived to be unimportant to more earthly matters. Consequently, because of this general neglect of
this all-important science, public awareness is at a very low level. In the field of astronomical research,
we are admittedly light-years behind.
Dr. Jesus Rodrigo F. Torres
Abstract
Astronomy in the Philippines as a field of study is in almost-forgotten science. There are no
schools offering the course. The instruments needed by astronomers in the Philippines to study the
Universe, mainly the telescopes, are very few and are mostly in the hands of amateur astronomers. The
University of the Philippines and PAGASA have two observatory type telescopes but they are of small
aperture, specifically 16-inch and 20-inch. Compared to the giant telescopes in Mauna Kea in Hawaii,
and in Cerro Tololoand Cerro Paranal in Chile which have 10-meter telescopes among their ranks, our
biggest telescopes are paltry in comparison. Astronomy is hardly one of the priorities of our institutions
concerned with science, perhaps because it is primarily concerned with pure research, which is
perceived to be unimportant to more earthly matters. Consequently, because of this general neglect of
this all-important science, public awareness is at a very low level. In the field of astronomical research,
we are admittedly light-years behind.