Project PARIDHI– Measuring the circumference of earth by using Jantar Mantar
A 2300 years old experiment
New Delhi 12th December, 2013: SPACE the pioneer organization working towards the development of
science and astronomy in India, will conduct its flagship project “Project PARIDHI”, to measure
circumference of earth during the Winter solstice (shortest day) on 21st December, 13 by using Delhi
landmark Jantar Mantar, as a Gnomon (Gnomon, a greek word for an object whose shadow serves as an
indicator of time especially of the hour of the day) from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm with around 100 school
students. 21st December, 13 is the time, at which Sun is at its southernmost point in the sky, will be directly
over the Tropic of Capricorn at 23.44 degrees south latitude. This day is marked as the first day of winter in
the northern hemisphere and the first day of summer in the southern hemisphere. Students will measure the
shadow of the sun using gnomon sticks and measure the shortest shadow at local noon.
Join SPACE at Jantar Mantar on 21st December, 13 from 9:30am to 1:00pm and be a part of this 2300 years
old experiment. To participate in Project PARIDHI, one can register themselves at http://www.spaceindia.org/participate-in-space-events.html before 16th December, 13.
Mr. C. B Devgun, President SPACE, said that “Project Paridhi” is one of the best examples of hands on
science activity as one can calculate the circumference of earth by using simple backyard tools. With the
help of this project we try to spread science education/knowledge amongst the students and people
particularly at a location where a lot of tourists visits”.
Project Paridhi is a flagship project initiated by SPACE Foundation in the year 2010, in order to
popularize Hands on Science. Under this project, SPACE experts will replicate and in fact take actual
measurements of the shadows made by the Sun to measure the circumference of Earth as done 2300 years
back by astronomer - Eratosthenes. SPACE has been conducting this project from the past 4 years at various
national heritages like Jantar Mantar, Qutub Minar and also by using the giant sundial constructed at
Barapullah during the commonwealth games.
In this experiment students have been able to calculate the circumference of earth to an accuracy of 99%
with comparison to the real circumference. With the help of this project SPACE has highlighted that such
Indian monuments can be used as tools to demonstrate and get the common man interested in science.
During last autumn equinox, 10% of the students measured the circumference with above 97%
accuracy, and 90% of the students achieved 90 to 95% accuracy.
Event Details:
Day & Date – Saturday 21st December 2013
Venue – Jantar Mantar
Time – 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Info on experiment – http://space-india.org/paridhi
About Solstice:Solstice occurs twice in a year, around June 21st and December 22nd and signifies the start of summer or
winter respectively in the Northern Hemisphere. The Sun appears to have reached its highest or lowest
annual altitude in the sky above the horizon at local solar noon
About Project PARIDHI:
THIS PROJECT WAS INITIATED BY SPACE FOUNDATION 3 YEARS AGO. Under this project the
students find out the circumference of the Earth by taking measurements of the shadows made by sun in a
day to calculate the size of earth and its shape as done 2300 years back by an astronomer Eratosthenes, who
was able to measure it within 2% of the present accepted value. Project Paridhi can be done on any day of
the year, but on days of equinox and solstices the sun’s position is optimized for calculations. Gnomons of all
sizes and shapes have been used, including pepsi bottles and cricket wickets to huge gnomons such as samrat
and ram yantra at Jantar Mantar and sundial at Barapullah. This project has also been accredited in a report
on Astronomy in public places and highways by French Professors, Mr. Prof Denis Savoie and Prof Bonnet
Bidaud.
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About SPACE Foundation
SPACE FOUNDATION CAME INTO EXISTENCE in 2001, with the goal of popularizing science
and inculcating scientific temperament among masses specially students in India. Its aims and
objectives are derived from the Constitution of India – Part IV-A Fundamental Duties of Citizen,
Article 51 A (h), says – “It shall be the duty of every citizen of India - to develop the scientific
temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform”. SPACE has been changing the face of
Science and Astronomy awareness, education and innovation in India through path-breaking
concepts, services and programs. We are constantly striving to use these programs to foster
scientific temperament in society, especially among the youth who are the harbingers of our future.
The ultimate intention is to create an intelligent, analytic and space savvy global community who
will be the future leaders in mains exploration of space and the universe, in a world that is rapidly
heading to a space age. SPACE is also a part of the advisory panel for the restoration of our national
heritage and scientific observatory Jantar Mantar.
Our Flagship Projects
Project PARIDHI
All India Asteroid Search Campaign- AIASC
ISS Earth KAM (Earth Knowledge Acquired by Middle school students)
Project Dark Skies
Kalpna Chawla Quiz Contest
Internet Telescope
Project Khoj
Heliodyssey
Hydro Rocketry Design Competition
For more information please log on to:
SPACE Website: http://www.space-india.org
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/spacian
Twitter handle – @org_space
For queries please contact:
Anupriya Keshri; [email protected]
92126 69953; 84470 00652
Public Relations Officer,
SPACE.