Durbin Workshop 3: Strengthening the Future of Astronomy Outreach
From April 30th to May 2nd, the Center for Astronomy, Space Science and Astrophysics (CASSA) at Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) hosted Durbin Workshop 3. This three-day internal program served as a launching pad for the team’s upcoming 2026 initiatives. Durbin, a national astronomy outreach program under CASSA, has a mission: bring the wonders of the universe to everyone through astrophotography and clear science communication. The workshop focused on organizing digital archives, using astronomy for outreach and education, and gathering the next wave of volunteers.
The first day was all about rolling up sleeves for data migration and digital preservation. Volunteers worked in teams to move a massive collection of amateur astrophotography images, taken by previous Durbin volunteers, from an old platform to the program’s new home. They meticulously cataloged information for each celestial capture into a centralized Google Spreadsheet. Participants also trained on specific protocols for uploading these images and data to the updated Durbin Astrophotographic images website. As a result, years of amateur astrophotography are now organized and accessible to the community.
On the second day, the energy shifted toward creativity and outreach planning. With the technical heavy lifting finished, the teams spent the day brainstorming interactive activities for upcoming school visits. A key highlight was a deep dive into writing essays on astronomical objects, which are the stories behind the photos. Volunteers practiced turning scientific data into descriptive, engaging narratives for the collection. This exercise was about learning to bridge the gap between astronomy and a curious public, ensuring that every image tells a story anyone can understand.
The final day marked a significant milestone with the identification of a key cohort of Durbin volunteers for 2026. While recruitment remains ongoing, this session solidified the current team’s structure. Khan Muhammad Bin Asad, the Director of CASSA, introduced the finalists to the group and delivered an address on the importance of collaborative teamwork. Looking ahead to a major event at IUB this August, Khan Asad reminded the volunteers that the project belongs to everyone, remarking, “At the end of the day, this is our event. If we all treat it as our own, like a family, it will truly feel like something we achieved together.” This orientation ensured that the volunteers feel a personal stake in the high-profile events they will be spearheading.
To wrap things up, the workshop held a brief session on image processing, specifically looking at how to handle raw data from Unistellar telescopes. Volunteers got a quick look at the basics of turning raw telescope captures into clear, beautiful images. The three days ended with a stargazing session under the open sky. It was a quiet moment for the new 2026 team to bond and reflect on the work ahead, as they prepared to spend the coming year sharing the beauty of the stars with the rest of the country.
Written by Farhana Ferdous
