Weather Bureau Seeks Folklore on Heavenly Bodies

MANILA, Philippines -- Some locals have called the constellation Orion’s three prominent “belt” stars many names: Tres Marias (Three Mary’s), Tatlong Haring Mago (Three Kings) or Tatlong Itlog (Three Eggs).

Would you have any folklore about the sun, moon, stars, or constellations?

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration is exhorting the public, astronomers or not, to help it compile local legends about celestial bodies for educational purposes.

Dr. Cynthia Celebre, chief of PAGASA’s astronomy research and development section, said the compilation would be submitted to the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in 2009. 2009 has been declared the International Year of Astronomy to mark the 400th year of the first astronomical observation through a telescope by Galileo.

“I’d hope they’d contribute to our project. It will be an honor for us to show to the world how stars or celestial bodies shaped our culture or beliefs,” Celebre said. Asian countries agreed to compile their native legends about the celestial bodies during a meeting in Fukuoka, Japan in October last year as part of the region’s participation in the 2009 celebrations.

The idea was to facilitate new or strengthen existing networks among amateur astronomers, educators, scientists and communication professionals through such regional and national activities.

“Each country’s culture will be reflected in these legends,” said Celebre, the country’s only contact to the IAU Secretariat which will coordinate activities for the International Year of Astronomy.

A national organizing committee, headed by Dr. Bernardo Soriano of Pagasa’s atmospheric, geophysical and space sciences branch, was created to network with astronomers around the country to come up with the compilation by yearend.

“We’re just starting to send communication to astronomical societies around the country,” she said, but stressed that the weather bureau was eyeing all sources of information. “But everyone is welcome to contribute.”

Celebre said the compilation, once completed, could also be published and distributed to public schools. “The children will become aware of the folklore about celestial bodies. It would help them understand their culture,” she said.

The names of stars and constellations are mostly based on Greek or Roman mythology. For the 2009 celebrations, the government is also planning to hold traveling exhibits on astronomy, a national astronomy Olympiad, a series of lectures, stargazing, among others.