Date: September 3, 2010
Title: Joining Forces and Collaboration: FEDAM
Podcaster: Edgardo Molina
Organization: Pleiades. Research and Astronomical Studies A.C. www.pleiades.org.mx (web site soon to be presented also in English) To contact FEDAM: correo@fedam.org.mx
Description: Edgardo Molina interviews Enrique Navarrete of FEDAM, the Mexican Astronomical Federation.
Bio: Edgardo Molina. B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the Anahuac University in Mexico City. Post graduate studies in IT Engineering and a Masters Degree in IT Engineering. Working for IPTEL, an IT firm delivering solutions to enterprises since 1998. Space exploration enthusiast who participated in several Mexican space related activities. Licensed amateur radio operator with call sign XE1XUS. Amateur astronomer since childhood and actual founder and president of the Pleiades. Research and Astronomical Studies A.C. in Mexico City, Mexico. Avid visual observer and astrophotography fan. Public reach through education in exact sciences, engineering and astronomy. Lectures and teaching in several universities since 1993.
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Transcript:
Hi! This is Edgardo Molina, from Pleiades. Reaearch and Astronomical Studies in Mexico City Mexico. I have the pleasure of being here today, having an informal chat with Enrique Navarrete from FEDAM. Welcome to the show Enrique.
First of all Enrique, could you please let our audience know what is FEDAM?
Enrique: FEDAM is the Mexican Astronomical Federation. It was founded in July 28th of 2009 by a group of astronomy associations interested in joining efforts of the organized amateurs in Mexico.
b. Could you please brief us in terms of the historical efforts to joining Mexico’s amateur astronomy groups?
The nature of the astronomy amateur is the sharing of the knowledge of the sky with other persons. Like in other countries in Mexico, many groups in different regions of the country have annual observational activities and meetings where they invite other associations to talk about astronomy, talk about of tips for sky observation, photographic techniques, new equipment, etc. But I think that the most important topic that is present in these events is talking about how and what we are doing to impact the young people or all that persons that have the interest of acquiring knowledge of the sky but they don’t have any idea of which is the first step to take.
c. How is FEDAM different from the rest of the efforts and projects you mentioned?
The difference is than in our case we are thinking in making a group of associations for the joining of efforts to promote in a higher level the practice of amateur astronomy. I want to share with you what are our Vision and Mission. The Vision of the FEDAM is:
To be a Federation that puts in practices all the experiences of the astronomic occupation, to promote the interest and the professionalism in the field reaching national and international recognition.
And the Mission is:
Develop and strengthen the interest for the astronomy in Mexico by the union of the lovers of this discipline. Promoting and spreading the science of the astronomy in forums of discussion, publication of works, organization and participation in meetings; with the principles and values that are of our interest, as well as the respect to the astronomic formal and informal groups.
d. Do you think it is possible to achieve a solid working group nationwide with so many cultural and ideologically disperse groups of people among the Mexican territory?
I think it is possible. It is very common to see in a astronomy group persons with different economic level and education, so I am confidence that the differences due of geographic type would not be a problem.
e. What is the strategy of FEDAM to rapidly advance joining interests and astronomical groups? Are you looking to a specific profile of people and institutions to work with?
Our first goal is to be the media to known each other, I explain myself. This year we organized our first national congress, we received the participation of many associations of all Mexico. It was a special moment to share the activities that we make day by day in our locality. And it was best opportunity to present the FEDAM to all the astronomical community. Many of the groups declared the interest to join the federation.
Now days, the better way to make alliances is to use the electronics media like the web, mail, discussion groups and social networking. Soon we are going to have our page, where you are going to find information of all the activities that are doing the astronomical groups.
f. Whose gave birth to the idea of FEDAM? When did it came to be a project and who is responsible for FEDAM nowadays?
The idea began to cross our minds a few years ago. In that time some groups began to invite other groups of the country, basically the central part of the country. After some years of making these meetings, we decided that we were ready to build a greater project, and the result was FEDAM. The groups that are considered like founders of the FEDAM are:
• Asociación de Estudiantes de Astronomía del Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios
Superiores de Monterrey, Campus Estado de México. (AESA). State of Mexico
• Astronomía Educativa, Mexico City.
• Club de Astronomía Mexitli, Mexico City.
• Asociación Astronómica del Valle de Toluca, A.C. (AAVAT), State of Mexico
• Taller de Astronomía, “Carta del Cielo”, A.C. (TACC), Mexico City
The board of FEDAM is:
President: Alvaro Rodríguez Carrera (Astronomía Educativa)
Vice president: Rogelio Ajuria y Garza (Taller de Astronomía)
Secretary: Roberto Franco (Asoc. del Valle de Toluca)
Treasurer: Enrique Navarrete Paredes (AESA, Tec. Monterrey)
Vocals: Ada Carrera Rodríguez (Astronomía Educativa)
Martha Carbajal de Sánchez (Asoc. del Valle de Toluca)
Patricia Carbajal Romero (Taller de Astronomía)
Jorge Luis Hernández Cruz (Club de Astronomía Mexitli)
h. I heard that even when the board of directors average a senior level of age, there are founding members who supply new blood and enthusiasm to the project, named the Tecnológico de Monterrey’s (AESA) amateur astronomers student groups led by you. Could you please comment on this strategy of including members of all generations?
Yes, you are right. The astronomy group of the Tec de Monterrey State of Mexico Campus is a good example. All the time are joining new students to the group. But is one of our goals to be in contact with the young people.
m. Could you please share with us some of the future actions and projects that FEDAM has visualized to further achieve the level of penetration in Mexico’s entrepreneuring minds?
We are preparing our participation in the event of Noche de las Estrellas for the next year. And we are defining several modules of an Astronomical Observation Certification.
n. Are you open to patronage, sponsorship and what are the ways FEDAM is going to be dealing with it’s financial necessities?
Yes we are open to patronage and sponsorship. At the right time we are going to look for this kind of help, because in all the country the astronomical groups need some help to support their projects.
p. How do you measure amateur astronomy in Mexico from your specific point of view to the works being done by others abroad?
We have people of great value in Mexico that have excellent works that are recognized by the international amateur astronomical community in different areas like astrophotography, variable stars observing, amateur radio astronomy among other fields.
r. Finally, could you please let us know how we can find more information on FEDAM and where to address joint venture opportunities world wide and locally?
If you want to contact us please send your messages to correo@fedam.org.mx
For the 365 Days of Astronomy Podcast, this is Edgardo Molina, from Pleiades. Research and Astronomical Studies in Mexico City, Mexico wishing you clear skies and signing of. Thank you for listening.
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365 Days of Astronomy
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