Panaji: With no alternative premises provided after being asked to vacate Junta House, the Association of Friends of Astronomy (AFA) will resume public sky-observation programmes in Panaji from Nov 14 at an open public park, taking its telescopes out of the observatory that served the city for 42 years.The Panaji sessions will be held at Dr F L Gomes Park near the directorate of health services at Campal, marking a shift from the observatory’s traditional home atop Junta House to an open public space.“Due to the Panaji observatory having been ordered to vacate the Junta House, where it was located from the last 42 years and no alternative place provided so far, programmes at Panaji are now planned to be conducted at roadsides every week,” said AFA president Satish Nayak.The development offers little clarity on the future of Goa’s only public astronomical observatory, which has introduced generations of students, astronomy enthusiasts and visitors to the night sky.The association will also hold programmes at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao; the 1930 terrace on Swantantra Path, Vasco; Saraswat College grounds at Khorlim, Mapusa; and a high school in Porvorim.The announcement comes weeks after TOI reported that the observatory’s equipment had been shifted to temporary storage in an unfinished govt building at St Inez. The proposed facility reportedly lacked electricity, water, lift facilities and essential interior work. A shed covering its terrace had also made it impossible to install the observatory dome.The relocation followed an April 2025 notice directing AFA to vacate Junta House, citing the building’s dilapidated condition and plans for its demolition. Despite discussions about shifting the facility to St Inez and other govt premises, a functional alternative has yet to materialise.The move has put valuable astronomical equipment out of operation. Among the instruments shifted to storage are a 14-inch Celestron telescope valued at over Rs 15 lakh and a 10-inch astrograph worth approximately Rs 10 lakh. The association has also faced difficulties accessing and shifting its remaining installations.From Nov 14, Saturday sessions will be held from 7pm to 8.30pm, featuring telescope viewing of Saturn and the Moon, as well as constellation identification. Participation will be free and open to the public, subject to clear skies.“Sessions at the other centers of Borim, Canacona, Harmal and Sanquelim will be preannounced during special programmes and celestial events. Details of regular programmes, meteor shower programmes, all-night observations, star parties at Chorla ghat, etc, will be available at afagoa.org,” Nayak said.
