Rs 2 lakh didn't buy him view of eclipse

23 July,2009 07:51 AM IST |   |  Urvashi Seth

Overcast conditions meant that Vikram had to watch the eclipse on TV despite a Rs 2 lakh-telescope


Overcast conditions meant that Vikram had to watch the eclipse on TV despite a Rs 2 lakh-telescope

Vikram S Virulkar (21), an amateur astronomer, was a disappointed man yesterday. Vikram, who bought a Rs 2 lakh-telescope only to watch the solar eclipse, could not witness the rare phenomenon.

Thick clouds and heavy rains played spoilsport. A helpless Vikram was forced to watch the eclipse on TV and the Internet.
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Lost in the Clouds: Vikram S Virulkar had bought the telescope only for the eclipse.

"It was very disappointing. But I have not given up hope.


I will use my telescope for the annular solar eclipse that is supposed to take place next year," said Virulkar.

He added that he wants to go to the Maldives to view the next eclipse.

Vikram is the owner of Beyond Earth a company that specialises in educating people about space.
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He is apparently the first in the state to own a Celestron-Osba telescope, which he bought from the US.
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Vikram said he will make his telescope available to anyone who wants to study space or wants to see planets in the sky.
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"We arrange lectures for the ordinary man. They can enjoy other planets through my new telescope," said Vikram.
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If you're interested all you have to do is form a group of 10 people and call the amateur astronomer and his team to your place. It will cost Rs 100 per person.
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Vikram S Virulkar astronomer clouds heavy rains telescope solar eclipse